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Thromb Haemost 1998; 80(01): 65-69
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615140
Rapid Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Early Identification and Prognostic Implications in Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation through Transmittance Waveform Analysis

Colin Downey
1   From the Department of Haematology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
,
Rashid Kazmi
1   From the Department of Haematology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
,
Cheng Hock Toh
1   From the Department of Haematology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 03 October 1997

Accepted after revision 01 April 1998

Publication Date:
08 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Efforts to improve the prognosis in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) have been hampered by the lack of an early, useful and rapidly available diagnostic marker. More recently, a characteristic bi-phasic change in the light transmittance waveform profile of the APTT assay has been associated with DIC. In this prospective study, we have assessed the utility of this assay in the routine clinical setting. 1,470 samples were analysed from 747 patients and 41 patients had DIC. The sensitivity and specificity of the bi-phasic waveform pattern for DIC was 97.6% and 98% respectively. The appearance of a biphasic waveform preceded the development of abnormalities in the standard laboratory tests for DIC and waveform changes correlated closely with clinical events. In conclusion, transmittance waveform analysis is not only useful as an early diagnostic and single monitoring marker of DIC but the quantifiable and standardisable changes also allow for prognostic applicability in clinical management.

 

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