Efficacy of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin in severe postpartum hemorrhage with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 36 patients with severe PPH complicated by DIC admitted to a single tertiary center. The first 26 patients were treated without rTM (control group), and the next 10 consecutive patients were treated with rTM. Clinical parameters including bleeding symptoms and coagulation indices were evaluated.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics, total blood loss, and transfusion requirements were similar between the 2 groups. On day 2, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in the decrease in d-dimer level from baseline. The incidence of bleeding symptoms was decreased in the rTM group compared with the control group. No adverse events were observed in the rTM group.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant human thrombomodulin may be an effective adjunctive therapy in the management of DIC related to PPH.