Schistocytes in disseminated intravascular coagulation

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%.