Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is always secondary to an underlying disorder.
The pathological situations that cause DIC are shown in Table I.
DIC may be fulminant (progressing rapidly, sometimes overwhelming) or less severe.
Fulminant DIC can be a complication of the following clinical situations:
- severe bacterial infection due to Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria that can cause septic shock,
- severe trauma, for example crush injuries or extensive burns,
- certain obstetrical conditions, the main one being amniotic fluid embolism,
- intravascular haemolysis,
- some malignancies, particularly certain leukaemias or solid tumours (pancreas, prostate),
- certain liver disorders.
Overt/decompensated DIC |
|
---|---|
Infection |
Intravascular haemolysis |
Trauma |
Malignancy |
Obstetrical complications |
Toxicity |
Non-overt/compensated DIC |
|
---|---|
Cardiovascular disease |
Haematological diseases |
Renal vascular disease |
Autoimmune diseases |
Table I: The main disorders associated with DIC
(adapted from Prieto M. International Congress Series. 2002;1237:163–8)