A Brief Overview of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, its Etiology, Clinical Manifestations, Pathophysiology, and Management

Abstract

DIC is the short form of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may be defined as a generalized hypercoagulable state that leads to blood clotting in microvascular and macrovascular system of the body. This compromised blood flow, to multiple organs and tissues ultimately results in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or MODS. DIC arise when the proteins that control blood clotting becomes overactive. Though it is a life threatening condition as it leads to blockade of blood flow to a particular area, but is not considered to be a disease in itself. This compromised blood supply leads to ischemia and necrosis of tissues. DIC is thus, considered as a sign of an underlying disease condition. DIC if left untreated is believed to have a mortality rate of 20–50 percent. It is believed to be caused by various factors like trauma, sepsis, cancer, shock, abruptio placentae, toxins, or other allergic reactions. The other risk factors that enhance the chances of DIC for a person are obstetric complications, acute hemolysis say transfusion reaction, traumatic shock, prostate cancer and acute promyelocytic leukemia. DIC is considered to be a sign of any of the underlying disease and thus is a condition arising out of another full fledged disease process. It has been associated with almost all life-threatening diseases. The clinical spectrum of DIC can range from a small decrease in platelet count and sub-clinical prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to a fulminant DIC with widespread thrombosis and severe bleeding.