Hypertension and hyponatremia may be associated with convulsions and are generally a result of fluid and salt overload. Laboratory findings generally include anemia and thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and metabolic acidosis. The anemia is characterized by negative direct and indirect Coombs tests and a smear consistent with mechanical destruction of erythrocytes in small vessels. Renal pathologic findings consist of glomerular endothelial injury. The endothelium separates and the subendothelial space is filled with fibrin strands and erythrocyte fragments.
Capillary thrombosis is quite prominent.
There is no evidence of immune-complex deposition. Similar pathologic findings can be demonstrated in virtually all other organs including the brain, liver, and intestine. Therapy is largely supportive - careful attention must be paid to fluid and electrolyte balance and hypertension must be controlled. In those cases with prolonged oliguria or anuria, peritoneal dialysis is often employed.