[The role of multiple organ failure in DIC]

The records of 27 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation with burn, trauma, perforated peritonitis or leakage of gastrointestinal anastomoses at the Second Department of Surgery and Intensive Care Unite, Toho University Hospital from 1977 to 1982 were reviewed. In this series, multiple organ failure (MOF) occurred in 20 cases and single organ failure occurred in 4 cases. Lung failure occurred in 20 out of 27 cases. Renal failure occurred in 18 out of 27 cases. Then, correlation was observed between decrease in platelet count and decrease in PaO2/FiO2. Serum creatinine level and total bilirubin level were elevated according to the progress of DIC. Twenty death cases with DIC out of 21 had MOF. However, 3 survived cases out of 6 cases had only single organ failure and other 3 survived cases out of 6 cases had not organ failure. Therefore, close correlation was observed between DIC and MOF in the prognosis of DIC. Earlier and active support of organ failure was important for clinical management of DIC.