Overview

• Acquired syndrome characterised by activation of coagulation pathways, resulting in formation of intravascular thrombi and depletion of platelets and coagulation factors

• Disease states that trigger systemic activation of coagulation may lead to DIC

• Causes → sepsis, major trauma (inc. surgery), malignancies, severe pancreatitis, burns, obstetric disorders, blood tranfusion reactions, organ transplant rejection

  <aside> 💡 STOP MT ⇒ sepsis/snakebites, trauma, osbtetric conditions, pancreatitis, malignancy, transfusion

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• Acute DIC ⇒ more common with rapid-onset underlying conditions such as trauma, sepsis and blood transfusions

• Chronic DIC ⇒ more common with less acute disorders such as malignancy

• Amboss Overview

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Acute DIC → bleeding issues (petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses, epistaxis)
• Chronic DIC → clotting issues (signs of DVT or arterial thrombosis)

Investigations:

• FBC → low platelets, low haemoglobin
• Clotting → low fibrinogen, high D-dimer (fibrinogen degradation products), prolonged PT + APTT
• Blood Film → schistocytes (fragmented part of RBC)