Disseminated intravascular coagulation

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Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (pronunciation: dis-uh-min-ay-ted in-truh-vas-kyuh-ler koh-ag-yuh-ley-shuhn), often abbreviated as DIC, is a serious, sometimes life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood clotting process becomes overactive.

Etymology

The term "disseminated intravascular coagulation" is derived from the Latin disseminatus (scattered), intravascular (within the blood vessels), and coagulation (clotting).

Overview

In DIC, the body's natural balance between bleeding and clotting is disrupted. This can lead to the formation of small blood clots that block blood vessels and cut off blood supply to vital organs. At the same time, because the clotting factors are being used up, there can also be excessive bleeding.

Causes

DIC can be triggered by a number of conditions, including sepsis, severe trauma, cancer, and complications of pregnancy. It is not a disease in itself, but a complication of these other conditions.

Symptoms

Symptoms of DIC can include sudden bleeding, blood in the urine or stool, and signs of organ damage such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or confusion.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of DIC is based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests, including tests for clotting factors, platelet count, and fibrin degradation products.

Treatment

Treatment of DIC focuses on addressing the underlying condition that triggered it, as well as supportive care to manage the symptoms. This can include blood transfusions, medications to control bleeding, and in severe cases, organ support such as dialysis or mechanical ventilation.

Related Terms

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