INTRODUCTION: The presence of schistocytes on the peripheral blood film during disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) remains controversial. METHODS: We examined schistocytes count on blood films from 35 DIC patients and checked morphological anomalies of all RBCs. RESULTS: Thirty of 35 patients presented with schistocytes and 22 with acanthocytes, which was the commonest shape anomaly. Mean percentage ± standard deviation was 0.33 ± 0.38%, median value was 0.1%, and range was 0-1.4%. The patients with schistocytes ≥ 1% had circumstances frequently associated with increased schistocytes count (promyelocytic leukaemia, pregnancy, severe infection). DISCUSSION: Schistocytes were thus frequently observed in DIC patients, usually with low percentage, within or close to the reference range (<0.5%). Schistocytes measurement is not a clue test for the initial diagnosis of DIC, but might be of clinical value to suggest an associated or underlying thrombotic microangiopathy if ≥ 1%.
INTRODUCTION: The presence of schistocytes on the peripheral blood film during disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) remains controversial. METHODS: We examined schistocytes count on blood films from 35 DIC patients and checked morphological anomalies of all RBCs. RESULTS: Thirty of 35 patients presented with schistocytes and 22 with acanthocytes, which was the commonest shape anomaly. Mean percentage ± standard deviation was 0.33 ± 0.38%, median value was 0.1%, and range was 0-1.4%. The patients with schistocytes ≥ 1% had circumstances frequently associated with increased schistocytes count (promyelocytic leukaemia, pregnancy, severe infection). DISCUSSION: Schistocytes were thus frequently observed in DIC patients, usually with low percentage, within or close to the reference range (<0.5%). Schistocytes measurement is not a clue test for the initial diagnosis of DIC, but might be of clinical value to suggest an associated or underlying thrombotic microangiopathy if ≥ 1%.
Authors: Ravi Shankar Keshari; Narcis Ioan Popescu; Robert Silasi; Girija Regmi; Cristina Lupu; Joe H Simmons; Alonso Ricardo; K Mark Coggeshall; Florea Lupu Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2021-09-14 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: R J Dinsdale; A Devi; P Hampson; C M Wearn; A L Bamford; J Hazeldine; J Bishop; S Ahmed; C Watson; J M Lord; N Moiemen; P Harrison Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2017-06-12 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Dong Ryul Ko; Taeyoung Kong; Hye Sun Lee; Sinae Kim; Jong Wook Lee; Hyun Soo Chung; Sung Phil Chung; Je Sung You; Jong Woo Park Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-06-06 Impact factor: 4.241