Disseminated intravascular coagulation, or DIC, is a serious disruption in the body’s clotting mechanism. Normally, the body forms a blood clot in reaction to an injury. With DIC, the body overproduces many small blood clots throughout the body, depleting the body of clotting factors and platelets.
These small clots are dangerous and can interfere with the blood supply to organs, causing dysfunction and failure. Massive bleeding can occur due to the body’s lack of clotting factor and platelets. DIC is life-threatening and needs to be treated promptly.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
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There are many causes of DIC. The disorder is usually caused by a release of chemicals into the bloodstream from one of the following conditions:
Certain conditions increase your chances of developing DIC. When making a diagnosis, your doctor will look for the following risk factors:
Symptoms of DIC can vary in severity, depending on the cause, as well as the time of diagnosis. DIC is a life-threatening condition that must be treated promptly. Should you experience bleeding that does not stop, or bleeding from an unknown source, it is critical to get emergency treatment. Symptoms of DIC include:
Your doctor will make a diagnosis of DIC based on your signs and symptoms, as well as results to certain blood tests. Like symptoms of DIC, blood levels will vary according to the severity of the DIC. Your blood will be examined for abnormal levels of certain tests, including:
Treatment of DIC depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause quickly. Your doctor may give you certain blood products or medications to treat your condition. Sepsis is usually treated with antibiotics. Treatment options include the following:
Fresh frozen plasma is used to replace low levels of coagulation factors caused by DIC. Platelets may also be given to restore low levels. Cryoprecipitates may also be used to correct low levels of fibrinogen.
Heparin is a blood thinner. Doctors sometimes give heparin in combination with blood products to reduce blood clots. Cancer patients whose DIC is difficult to control may receive heparin to control blood clots.
This medication is sometimes used to slow down clotting in certain patients.
To help reduce your chances of getting DIC, make sure you obtain prompt treatment for any of the conditions that can cause this disorder.
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American Medical Associationhttp://www.ama-assn.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutehttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
DynaMed Editorial Team.
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