The early diagnostic value of thrombelastography in disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract

Objective To use thrombelastography (TEG) and conventional coagulation tests (CCTs) to diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and find a better diagnostic method. Methods Patients with potential DIC factors, DIC clinical manifestation or DIC patients suspected by laboratory tests were included after their admission into our hospital. TEGs and CCTs were detected, respectively. DIC score was evaluated. The single factor logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlation between TEG and CCTs as well as the diagnostic accuracy. Results The international normalized ratio (INR) in CCTs of the DIC patients were significantly higher, the reaction rime (R), clot formation time (K), angle rate of clot formation (α), maximum amplitude (MA), and composite index (CI) figures in TEG were significantly increased (P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of TEG were 82.4%, and 62.2%, which were significantly higher than 21.6% and 47.2% in CCTs (P<0.05). Single factor logistic regression results show that odd ratio (OR) in prothrombin time (PT) and INR of CCTs was 1.23 and 1.27, respectively. The OR in R, K, α, MA, and CI of TEG was 5.13, 6.14, 1.37, 1.25, and 3.02, respectively. Conclusions Compared to CCTs, TEG is more indicative of the conditions of DIC patients and it might be a better way to predict the DIC risks, which is of greater value in clinical diagnosis. Key words: Thrombelastography; Disseminated intravascular coagulation/DI