Complement consumption in acute disseminated intravascular coagulation without antecedent immunopathology.

Complement component C3, component C4, and total hemolytic complement CH50 were measured in blood from ten patients with acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (aDIC) syndromes. The study group was selected on the basis of history to exclude antecedent immunologic, infectious, or hepatic disease. The mortality rate was high (90%), the average duration of illness short (8.5 days), and the utilization of blood products extensive. The behaviors of C3 and C4 were found to be analogous to fibrinogen, plasminogen, antiplasmin, and platelets. CH50 activity paralled C3 and C4, as well as results of the soluble coagulation factor screening tests. It is concluded that serum complement is consumed as part of the multisystem dysfunction, aDIC, and that in conjunction with traditional indicators it may be utilized to gauge the severity of this syndrome.