Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Overview and Outlook
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (ko-ag-u-LA-shun), or DIC, is a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body’s small blood vessels. These blood clots can reduce or block blood flow through the blood vessels, which can damage the body’s organs.
In DIC, the increased clotting uses up platelets (PLATE-lets) and clotting factors in the blood. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts and breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. Clotting factors are proteins needed for normal blood clotting.
With fewer platelets and clotting factors in the blood, serious bleeding can occur. DIC can cause internal bleeding and external bleeding. Internal bleeding occurs inside the body. External bleeding occurs underneath or from the skin or mucosa (the tissue that lines some organs and body cavities, such as your nose and mouth).
The bleeding that DIC causes may be life threatening.
Overview
To understand DIC, it helps to understand the body’s normal blood clotting process. Your body has a system to control bleeding. When small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls occur, clotting factors in your body are activated. These clotting factors, such as thrombin and fibrin, work with platelets to form blood clots.
The blood clots seal the small cuts or breaks on the blood vessel walls. After the bleeding has stopped and healing has occurred, your body breaks down and removes the clots.
Certain diseases and conditions can cause clotting factors to become overactive, leading to DIC. These diseases and conditions include:
- Sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream)
- Surgery and trauma
- Cancer
- Serious complications of pregnancy and childbirth
Examples of less common causes of DIC are bites from poisonous snakes (such as rattlesnakes and other vipers), frostbite, and burns.
There are two types of DIC: acute and chronic. Acute DIC develops quickly (over hours or days) and must be treated right away. It begins with excessive blood clotting in the small blood vessels and quickly advances to serious bleeding.
Chronic DIC develops slowly (over weeks or months). It lasts longer and usually isn’t recognized as quickly as acute DIC. Chronic DIC causes excessive blood clotting but doesn’t usually lead to bleeding. Cancer is the most common cause of chronic DIC.
Treatment for DIC involves treating the clotting and bleeding problems and the underlying cause of the condition.
People who have acute DIC may need blood transfusions, medicines, and other life-saving measures. People who have chronic DIC may need medicines to help prevent blood clots from forming in their small blood vessels.
Outlook
The outlook for DIC depends on its severity and underlying cause. Acute DIC can damage the body’s organs and even cause death if it’s not treated right away. Chronic DIC also can damage the body’s organs.
Researchers are looking for ways to prevent DIC or recognize it early. They’re also studying the use of various clotting proteins and medicines to treat the condition.
Source: NHLBI, NIH