Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 286.6      ICD10: D65      ICD11: 3B20

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition that disrupts the normal blood clotting process.
It's not a disease itself, but rather a complication of another underlying illness. Here's a breakdown:

What happens in DIC?

Uncontrolled Clotting: In DIC, the body starts forming blood clots throughout the small blood vessels. These clots can reduce or block blood flow to vital organs, leading to organ damage and failure.
Depletion of Clotting Factors and Platelets: As the body uses up its clotting factors (proteins needed for blood clotting) and platelets (cells that help form clots) to create these widespread clots, it runs out of these essential components.
Excessive Bleeding: Because clotting factors and platelets are depleted, the body loses its ability to control bleeding. This leads to severe bleeding from various sites, such as wounds, injection sites, and even internally.

In simple terms: Imagine a dam breaking. You initially see a lot of water rushing through the small cracks, then suddenly there's no more water because it all rushed out, leaving the dam unable to function and creating flooding everywhere.

Causes of DIC:

DIC is almost always triggered by another underlying condition. Common causes include:

Severe Infections (Sepsis): Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can trigger DIC.
Trauma: Severe injuries, burns, or crush injuries can release substances into the bloodstream that activate the clotting cascade.
Cancer: Certain cancers, particularly leukemia and metastatic cancers, can be associated with DIC.
Pregnancy Complications: Complications such as placental abruption, amniotic fluid embolism, and preeclampsia can cause DIC.
Surgery: Major surgeries, especially those involving the brain or lungs, can sometimes lead to DIC.
Blood Transfusion Reactions: Incompatible blood transfusions can trigger DIC.
Snake Bites: Venom from certain snakes can disrupt the clotting process.
Liver Disease: Severe liver damage can impair the production of clotting factors.

Signs and Symptoms:

Symptoms of DIC can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Common signs and symptoms include:

Bleeding:
Easy bruising
Bleeding from gums or nose
Blood in urine or stool
Excessive bleeding from wounds or surgical sites
Internal bleeding (which can be difficult to detect)
Clotting:
Chest pain or shortness of breath (due to blood clots in the lungs)
Leg pain or swelling (due to blood clots in the legs)
Stroke-like symptoms (due to blood clots in the brain)
Other Symptoms:
Low blood pressure
Confusion
Seizures
Organ failure (kidney, liver, lungs, etc.)

Diagnosis:

DIC is diagnosed based on:

Medical History and Physical Exam: The doctor will ask about the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of bleeding or clotting.
Blood Tests: Several blood tests are used to assess the clotting process, including:
Platelet Count: Measures the number of platelets in the blood.
Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT): Measure how long it takes for blood to clot.
Fibrinogen Level: Measures the amount of fibrinogen, a protein involved in clot formation.
D-dimer: Measures the amount of a substance released when blood clots break down. High D-dimer levels indicate that clots are forming and breaking down in the body.

Treatment:

Treatment for DIC focuses on:

Treating the Underlying Cause: Addressing the condition that triggered DIC is the most important step.
Supportive Care:
Blood Transfusions: Replace depleted platelets and clotting factors.
Oxygen Therapy: To support breathing.
Fluid Replacement: To maintain blood pressure.
Medications:
Heparin: In some cases, heparin (an anticoagulant) may be used to prevent further clot formation. This is controversial and depends on the specific clinical situation.
Antithrombin: May be used to help regulate clotting.
Other medications to treat the underlying cause.
Monitoring: Close monitoring of the patient's vital signs, blood tests, and organ function is essential.

Prognosis:

The prognosis for DIC depends on the severity of the condition, the underlying cause, and the patient's overall health. DIC can be life-threatening, especially if it leads to organ failure. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving the outcome.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice. If you suspect you or someone you know may have DIC, seek immediate medical attention.