Disseminated intravascular coagulation and the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets in severe preeclampsia.

To clarify the role of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in women with the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, serial coagulation studies were performed prospectively in 18 patients. A semiquantitative DIC scoring system was used retrospectively to augment the diagnostic confidence of coagulopathy. At the time of admission to the hospital, three patients showed no evidence of DIC, eight had suspected DIC, and seven had manifest DIC. The intravascular coagulation process was progressive in all patients; upon delivery, eight patients proved to have suspected DIC and ten had manifest DIC. The laboratory criteria of DIC were found to agree with the degree of organ dysfunction. Patients with manifest DIC at delivery developed significantly more life-threatening maternal complications than did patients with suspected DIC (P less than .02). Conservative management was not possible in any patients who were admitted with overt DIC because of deterioration of maternal and fetal status. Application of a sensitive DIC scoring system may be valuable in managing patients with the HELLP syndrome and selecting patients who may be treated expectantly.