Plasma lipid peroxides and alpha-tocopherol in critically ill patients.

Plasma lipid peroxide measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and alpha-tocopherol levels in 24 critically ill patients were compared with those of control subjects. The mean plasma alpha-tocopherol level was significantly lower and the mean TBARS level was significantly higher in critically ill patients. Eight ICU patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); the mean TBARS level during DIC was significantly above the mean pre-DIC level. These results indicate that lipid peroxidation may contribute to the development of DIC in critically ill patients.