Disseminated intravascular coagulation and status epilepticus.
Status epilepticus has been associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), but little is known regarding the pathogenesis of this uncommon association. We describe a 41-year-old woman with status epilepticus resulting in death in whom laboratory data demonstrated profound activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems; autopsy findings were consistent with DIC. The occurrence of DIC in status epilepticus may be related to widespread endothelial damage secondary to seizure-induced hyperpyrexia. Body temperature should be closely monitored in patients with prolonged seizures.
Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, NY, USA.
A
A
Felcher
C
C
Commichau
Q
Q
Cao
M J
MJ
Brown
A
A
Torres
C W
CW
Francis
D000328:Adult; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications*