DIC (Disseminated
Intravascular Coagulation): Disseminated
intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a rare, life-threatening
condition that prevents blood from clotting normally. The blood clots reduce
blood flow and can block blood from reaching bodily organs. This increased
clotting can use up the blood’s platelets and clotting
factors. Fewer platelets and clotting factors available result in
excessive bleeding.
Causes: When the proteins used in your normal clotting
process become overly active, it can cause DIC. Infection, severe trauma (i.e., brain injuries, crushing
injuries) inflammation, surgery, and cancer are all known to contribute to this
condition.
Some less common causes of DIC include the
following:
- extremely
low body temperature (hypothermia)
- venomous
snake bites
- burns
- complications
during pregnancy
Risk factors: risk for DIC is elevated if you have recently:
- undergone
surgery
- delivered
a baby
- had
an incomplete miscarriage
- had
a blood transfusion
- had
anesthesia
- sepsis
or any other fungal or bacterial blood infection
- certain
types of cancer,
especially some leukemias
- serious
tissue damage such as a head
injury, burns,
or trauma
- liver
disease
Symptoms: Bleeding,
sometimes from multiple locations on the body, is one of the more common
symptoms of DIC. Bleeding from the mucosa tissue (in the mouth
and nose), and bleeding
from other external areas may occur. In addition, DIC may also cause internal
bleeding.
Other symptoms are:
- blood
clots
- decreased
blood pressure
- bruising
- rectal
or vaginal bleeding
- red
dots on the surface of the skin
If you have cancer, DIC generally begins slowly,
and clotting in the veins
is more common than excessive bleeding.
Complications: DIC can cause complications,
especially when it is not treated properly. The clots in the vessels will result in
an inadequate oxygen supply reaching your organs. This has the potential to
cause organ damage. Other complications include:
- lack
of oxygen to limbs and organs
- stroke
- excessive
bleeding that may lead to death
Diagnosis: DIC may be
identified through various tests related to your levels of platelets, clotting
factors and other blood components. However, there is not a standard procedure.
The following are some tests that may be conducted if your doctor suspects DIC.
- fibrin
degradation product
- complete
blood cell count (CBC) from a blood smear
- complete
blood cell count (CBC) from sample
- platelet
count
- partial
thromboplastin time
- D-dimer
test
- serum
fibrinogen
- prothrombin
time
Treatment:
Treating the Cause
DIC treatment depends on what is causing the
disorder. Treatment of the underlying condition is the main goal. To treat the
clotting problem, you may be given an anticoagulant called heparin to reduce
and prevent clotting. However, heparin may not be administered if you have a
severe lack of platelets or are bleeding too excessively.
People with acute DIC require hospitalization,
often in an intensive care unit (ICU), where treatment will attempt to correct
the problem causing the DIC while maintaining the function of the organs.
Transfusions
A transfusion may be needed to replace the
platelets that you are missing. Plasma transfusions have the ability to replace
the clotting factors that you are lacking.
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