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Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) 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 an increased the risk of haemorrhage.
The fibrin deposition in coagulation can block blood vessels, leading to
ischaemic damage to some tissues. As well as this, red blood cells are
damaged as they get shredded by the fibrin.
There are a variety of causes of DIC, all usually causing the release of
chemicals into the blood that instigates the coagulation.
In infection, chemicals released by gram-negative bacteria can cause it,
particularly meningicoccal septicaemia.
Obstetric complications, with chemicals from the uterus being released
into the blood, or from amniotic fluid embolisms, and eclampsia can be
causes.
Malignant cancers, or widespread tissue damage (e.g. burns), or hypersensivity reactions all can produce the chemicals leading to a DIC.
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Diagnosis
DIC results in lower fibrinogen (as it has all been converted to
fibrin), and this can be tested for in the hospital lab. A more specific
test is for "fibrin split products" which are produced when fibrin
undergoes degradation when blood clots are dissolved by fibrinolysis.
Treatment
The underlying cause must be treated initially. Anticoagulants are not
given as by now all the coagulation factors and platelets have been used
up. These must be replaced, by platelet transfusion and fresh frozen
plasma, to restore normal levels.
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