Predictive value of the complement system for sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in septic patients in emergency department

Purpose: To investigate changes in circulating complement component C3, membrane attack complex (MAC), and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in patients with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Materials and Methods: Adult septic patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled. A DIC score of 5 or higher was considered sepsis-induced DIC. Circulating C3, MAC, and MBL levels were detected on ED arrival and compared between patients with and without DIC. The predictive value of C3, MAC, and MBL for sepsis-induced DIC at ED arrival and development of DIC after admission were assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 267 septic patients between February and December 2013. Complement 3, MAC, and MBL were higher in the DIC group (P < .01). Membrane attack complex was the independent predictor of sepsis induced DIC. The area under the curve of MAC in predicting sepsis-induced DIC was 0.793. During hospitalization, 25 patients without DIC at enrollment developed DIC. Membrane attack complex and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment independently predicted progress to DIC. The area under the curve of MAC was 0.741. Conclusions: Complement 3, MAC, and MBL were significantly increased in septic patients with DIC. Membrane attack complex independently predicted sepsis-induced DIC and development of DIC after ED admission. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.