The American journal of emergency medicine
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Letter Case Reports
Kasabach-Merritt syndrome arising from a vascular fistula.
A 58-year-old woman presented with gum bleeding, hematuria, and cutaneous ecchymoses. Left hip replacement had been performed five years prior. The overall findings of our work-up were consistent with ongoing DIC triggered by the presence of an arterio-venous left femoral fistula. ⋯ Mortality rate can be as high as up to 40%. The Kasabach-Merritt syndrome could represent the only clinical feature of an otherwise occult vascular fistula. Emergency physicians should be aware of this condition.