View source for Disseminated intravascular coagulation (patient information)

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Disseminated intravascular coagulation|here]]'''

'''Editor-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson]], M.S.,M.D. [mailto:charlesmichaelgibson@gmail.com]; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan]], M.B.B.S. {{OK}}

'''''Synonyms and Keywords:''''' Consumption coagulopathy

==Overview==
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become abnormally active.

==What are the symptoms?==
*[[Bleeding]], possibly from multiple sites in the body
*Blood clots
*[[Bruising]]
*Drop in blood pressure

==What are the causes?==
*'''Normally when you are injured, certain proteins in the blood become activated and travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. However, in persons with DIC, these proteins become abnormally active.''' This often occurs due to [[inflammation]], [[infection]], or [[cancer]].

*Small blood clots form in the blood vessels. Some of these clots can clog up the vessels and cut off blood supply to various organs such as the liver, brain, or kidney. These organs will then be damaged and may stop functioning.

*Over time, the '''clotting proteins are consumed or used up'''. When this happens, the person is then at risk for serious bleeding, even from a minor injury or without injury. This process may also break up healthy red blood cells.

==Who is at highest risk?==
Risk factors for DIC include:
*Blood transfusion reaction
*Cancer, especially certain types of [[Leukemia (patient information)|leukemia]]
*Infection in the blood by bacteria or fungus
*Liver disease
*Pregnancy complications (such as placenta that is left behind after delivery)
*Recent surgery or anesthesia
*[[Sepsis]] (a serious infection)
*Severe tissue injury (as in burns and head injury)

==Diagnosis==
The following tests may be done:
*Complete blood count with blood smear examination
*Fibrin degradation products 
*[[Partial thromboplastin time]] (PTT)
*[[Platelet count]]
*[[Prothrombin time]] (PT)
*Serum [[fibrinogen]]

==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have bleeding that won't stop.

==Treatment options==
*The goal is to determine and treat the cause of DIC.
*Blood clotting factors may be replaced with '''plasma transfusions'''. *Platelet transfusions can raise the blood count. 
*'''[[Heparin]]''', a medication used to prevent clotting, is sometimes used to interrupt clotting events.

===Medications to avoid===
{{MedCondContrPI

|MedCond =Disseminated intravascular coagulation（DIC）|Anti-inhibitor coagulant complex}}

==Where to find medical care for Disseminated intravascular coagulation?==

[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Disseminated intravascular coagulation}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Disseminated intravascular coagulation]

==Prevention==
Get prompt treatment for conditions known to bring on this disorder.

==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
The outcome depends on what is causing the disorder, but '''DIC can be life-threatening'''.

==Possible complications==
*Bleeding
*Lack of blood flow to the arms, legs, or vital organs
*[[Stroke]]

==Source==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000573.htm


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[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]]
[[Category:Coagulation system]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
[[Category:Hematology patient information]]

[[Category:Infectious disease patient information]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology patient information]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]