Consumption coagulopathy associated with arterial aneurysms

Consumption coagulopathy resulting from arterial aneurysm is an uncommon entity. Two patients, one with a femoral artery aneurysm and one with an abdominal aortic aneurysm containing fresh blood clot associated with a coagulopathy are presented. Reasonable preoperative control of the bleeding disorder with appropriate blood products followed by aneurysmectomy is recommended. Except to treat severe bleeding disorders associated with arterial aneurysms, heparin therapy is rarely necessary, as spontaneous reversal of the coagulopathy usually occurs. A high index of suspicion for the presence of an underlying arterial aneurysm as the cause for the consumption coagulopathy is necessary when no other etiology is obvious.