Health Encyclopedia

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Definition

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive.

Alternative Names

Consumption coagulopathy; DIC

Causes

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 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

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

Exams and Tests

You may have any of the following tests:

Complete blood count with blood smear exam
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Prothrombin time (PT)
Fibrinogen blood test
D-dimer

Treatment

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.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Outcome depends on what is causing the disorder. DIC can be life threatening.

Possible Complications

Complications from DIC may include:

Bleeding
Lack of blood flow to the arms, legs, or vital organs
Stroke

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have bleeding that does not stop.

Prevention

Get prompt treatment for conditions known to bring on this disorder.

References

Levi M. Disseminated intravascular coagulation. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 139.

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.

Review Date:10/28/2021
Reviewed By:Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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