Overview
Clinical Meaning
DIC involves systemic activation of coagulation with simultaneous consumption of clotting factors and platelets causing both microvascular thrombosis and hemorrhage.
DIC involves systemic activation of coagulation with simultaneous consumption of clotting factors and platelets causing both microvascular thrombosis and hemorrhage. Triggers: sepsis, trauma, malignancy, obstetric complications. Labs: prolonged PT/aPTT, low fibrinogen (<100), elevated D-dimer, thrombocytopenia, schistocytes on smear. Treatment: treat underlying cause, replace with FFP/cryo/platelets if bleeding, heparin only if thrombosis predominates.
