SPLENOMEGALY ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC CONSUMPTION COAGULOPATHY

Abstract

Abstract.In a group of six patients suffering from various diseases accompanied by splenomegaly, low levels of factor V and fibrinogen have been observed apart from thrombo‐cytopenia. No circulating fibrin degradation products (FDP) and fibrin monomers were present and anticoagulants did not correct the coagulation disorder. However, other findings, such as the presence of fibrin deposits in the enlarged spleen, and correction of the hemostatic defect after splenectomy strongly suggest local consumption of platelets and clotting factors in the enlarged spleen. The data obtained show that a decreased concentration of clotting factors in patients with splenomegaly can be caused by local consumption alone. The absence of an elevated FDP level distinguishes our findings from those found in consumption coagulopathy accompanying diffuse intravascular clotting (DIC).