Routine coagulation tests in cases of missed abortion--is it really necessary?
Chandran, R.; Adeeb, N.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 47(4): 287-289
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 1303481 Document Number: 399320
Many gynaecological units have a policy of performing routine coagulation tests in cases of missed abortion. For many years now, it has been accepted practice in our unit to perform routinely a platelet count, bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT) and plasma fibrinogen (P. fib) level prior to evacuation in cases of missed abortion. We are not sure how or why these 4 tests came to be chosen as a coagulation 'screen'. As they are not totally adequate in detecting disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), we wondered if these tests added to the management in any way.