Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Definition

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious medical condition characterized by the widespread activation of the clotting cascade, leading to the formation of blood clots throughout the small blood vessels. This process consumes clotting factors and platelets, resulting in paradoxical bleeding due to the depletion of these essential components. DIC is often a complication of various underlying conditions such as sepsis, trauma, or obstetric emergencies, highlighting its connection to hemostasis as it disrupts the delicate balance between clot formation and dissolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DIC is often triggered by severe infections, major trauma, or complications during pregnancy, such as placental abruption or amniotic fluid embolism.
2. In DIC, the body uses up its clotting factors and platelets quickly, causing an increased risk of bleeding in other areas despite the presence of clots.
3. Diagnosis of DIC involves laboratory tests that show low platelet counts, prolonged clotting times, and elevated levels of fibrin degradation products.
4. Management of DIC focuses on treating the underlying cause while providing supportive care such as blood transfusions or medications to manage bleeding.
5. The prognosis for patients with DIC depends on the underlying condition; early recognition and treatment can improve outcomes significantly.

Review Questions

• How does disseminated intravascular coagulation affect the normal hemostasis process?
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation disrupts normal hemostasis by causing widespread activation of the clotting system, leading to excessive clot formation in small blood vessels. This paradoxically results in a depletion of platelets and clotting factors necessary for proper blood coagulation. As a result, even though clots are forming inappropriately throughout the circulation, patients can experience significant bleeding in other areas due to the lack of available components needed to stop hemorrhaging.
• Discuss the potential causes that can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation and how they initiate this complex disorder.
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation can be triggered by several serious conditions, including sepsis, trauma, severe infections, and obstetric complications such as preeclampsia or placental abruption. These triggers release procoagulant substances into the bloodstream, activating the coagulation cascade indiscriminately. As the process continues unchecked, it leads to widespread microvascular thrombosis and eventually results in multi-organ dysfunction and bleeding tendencies due to depleted clotting factors.
• Evaluate the clinical implications of disseminated intravascular coagulation in critical care settings and how healthcare professionals can effectively manage it.
  • In critical care settings, disseminated intravascular coagulation poses significant challenges due to its rapid progression and potential for severe complications like organ failure and uncontrollable bleeding. Healthcare professionals must recognize early signs and perform laboratory evaluations to diagnose DIC promptly. Effective management involves addressing the underlying cause—such as administering antibiotics for infection—while also providing supportive therapies like platelet transfusions or anticoagulants if appropriate. An integrated approach is crucial for improving patient outcomes in those experiencing DIC.

Related terms

coagulation: The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot.

thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which can obstruct blood flow.

hemorrhage: An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, leading to excessive bleeding.