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Massive pulmonary embolism presenting as disseminated intravascular coagulation
1Department of Medicine, John A Burns School of Medicine.
Hawaii Medical Journal
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition not typically recognized in current hematology texts. Recognizing this link is crucial for diagnosing and treating patients with unexplained DIC or autoanticoagulation.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Coagulation Disorders
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) involves coagulation activation, fibrinogen proteolysis, and thrombocytopenia.
- Current hematology literature infrequently mentions pulmonary embolism (PE) as a cause of DIC.
Observation:
- Recent reports suggest an association between PE and DIC.
- PE is not widely recognized as a cause of DIC in standard textbooks.
Findings:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of DIC.
- PE may present as an autoanticoagulated state or DIC of unknown etiology.
Implications:
- Clinicians must be aware of the PE-DIC association for accurate diagnosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment with intravenous heparin are recommended for PE-associated DIC.