 Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Definition Alternative Names Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention References DefinitionDisseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become abnormally active. Alternative NamesConsumption coagulopathy Causes, incidence, and risk factorsNormally when you are injured, certain proteins in the blood become activated and travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. However, in persons with DIC, these proteins become abnormally active. This often occurs due to inflammation, infection, or cancer. Small blood clots form in the blood vessels. Some of these clots can clog up the vessels and cut off blood supply to various organs such as the liver, brain, or kidney. These organs will then be damaged and may stop functioning. Over time, the clotting proteins are consumed or "used up." When this happens, the person is then at risk for serious bleeding, even from a minor injury or without injury. This process may also break up healthy red blood cells. Risk factors for DIC include: - Blood transfusion reaction
- Cancer, especially certain types of leukemia
- Infection in the blood by bacteria or fungus
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy complications (such as placenta that is left behind after delivery)
- Recent surgery or anesthesia
- Sepsis (a serious infection)
- Severe tissue injury (as in burns and head injury)
Symptoms- Bleeding, possibly from multiple sites in the body
- Blood clots
- Bruising
- Drop in blood pressure
Signs and testsThe following tests may be done: TreatmentThe goal is to determine and treat the cause of DIC. Blood clotting factors may be replaced with plasma transfusions. Platelet transfusions can raise the blood count. Heparin, a medication used to prevent clotting, is sometimes used to interrupt clotting events. Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on what is causing the disorder, but DIC can be life-threatening. Complications- Bleeding
- Lack of blood flow to the arms, legs, or vital organs
- Stroke
Calling your health care providerGo to the emergency room or call 911 if you have bleeding that won't stop. PreventionGet prompt treatment for conditions known to bring on this disorder. ReferencesSchafer AI. Hemorrhagic disorders: disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver failure, and vitamin K deficiency. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 181. Liebman HA, Weitz IC. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 132. Physician ReferenceInternational Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD9)776.2
Review Date: 12/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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