Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Overview
Learn About Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive.
Consumption coagulopathy; DIC
When you are injured, proteins in the blood that form blood clots travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. If these proteins become abnormally active throughout the body, you could develop DIC. The underlying cause is usually due to inflammation, infection, or cancer.
In some cases of DIC, small blood clots form in the blood vessels. Some of these clots can clog the vessels and cut off the normal blood supply to organs such as the liver, brain, or kidneys. Lack of blood flow can damage and cause major injury to the organs.
In other cases of DIC, the clotting proteins in your blood are consumed. When this happens, you may have a high risk of serious bleeding, even from a minor injury or without injury. You may also have bleeding that starts spontaneously (on its own). The disease can also cause your healthy red blood cells to fragment and break up when they travel through the small vessels that are filled with clots.
Risk factors for DIC include:
- Blood transfusion reaction
- Cancer, especially certain types of leukemia
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Infection in the blood, especially by bacteria or fungus
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy complications (such as placenta tissue that is left behind after delivery)
- Recent surgery or anesthesia
- Severe tissue injury (as in burns and head injury)
- Large hemangioma (a blood vessel that is not formed properly)
Symptoms of DIC may include any of the following:
- Bleeding, from many sites in the body
- Blood clots
- Bruising
- Drop in blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion, memory loss or change of behavior
- Fever
There is no specific treatment for DIC. The goal is to determine and treat the underlying cause of DIC.
Supportive treatments may include:
- Plasma transfusions to replace blood clotting factors if a large amount of bleeding is occurring.
- Blood thinner medicine (heparin) to prevent blood clotting if a large amount of clotting is occurring.
Wellspan Medical Group
Mohammad Haq is an Internal Medicine provider in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Dr. Haq and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. His top areas of expertise are Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Sitosterolemia, Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.
Otto Roza MD PA
Jeremy Yospin is a Nephrologist in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Dr. Yospin and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. His top areas of expertise are End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Chronic Kidney Disease, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Acute Kidney Failure.
Robert Welik is a Nephrologist in Cumberland, Maryland. Dr. Welik and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Kidney Disease, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Acute Kidney Failure, and Membranous Nephropathy. Dr. Welik is currently accepting new patients.
The outcome depends on what is causing the disorder. DIC can be life threatening.
Complications from DIC may include:
- Bleeding
- Lack of blood flow to the arms, legs, or vital organs
- Stroke
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have bleeding that does not stop.
Get prompt treatment for conditions known to bring on this disorder.
Summary: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of death related to pregnancy. PPH can lead to blood transfusion, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hysterectomy, or death. The prophylactic administration of uterotonic agents as part of an active management of the third stage of labor has been proven to reduce rates of PPH. However, even with these treatments, PPH rate is still relativ...
Summary: This is a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study to investigate thrombosis and hemostasis diseases in Chinese patients. This study will collect basic information, diagnostic and treatment information, as well as medical expense information of patients from medical records.The incidence and risk factors of thrombosis and hemostasis diseases, the treatment methods, progno...
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Levi M. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 137.
Sarode R, Kessler CM. Coagulation and fibrinolysis. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 40.
Schafer AI. Disseminated intravascular coagulation and bleeding in liver failure. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 161.