DIC resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [2]
Overview
Disseminated intravascular coagulation, is a pathological process in the body where the blood starts to coagulate throughout the whole body. This depletes the body of its platelets and coagulation factors, and there is a paradoxically increased risk of hemorrhage.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation in itself is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes.
Common Causes
- Abruptio placentae
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Aortic aneurysm
- Drugs (e.g. Amphetamines)
- Eclampsia
- Giant hemangioma
- HELLP syndrome
- Hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Malignancy (especially APL)
- Sepsis
- Severe allergic reaction
- Transplant rejection
- Trauma (e.g. Fat embolism, head injury)
- Venomous snake
Management
Do's
- The transfusion of platelets should be considered for those patients actively bleeding or at an increased risk of bleeding with a platelet count of less than 50,000 microliter.[1]
Dont's
- Do not base the transfusion of platelets or plasma primarily on laboratory results but generally should be for patients who are bleeding.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Levi M, Toh CH, Thachil J, Watson HG (2009). "Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of disseminated intravascular coagulation. British Committee for Standards in Haematology". Br J Haematol. 145 (1): 24–33. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07600.x. PMID 19222477.