Management of disseminated intravascular coagulation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex condition in which diffuse clotting and profuse hemorrhaging occur simultaneously. It is a serious, often fatal, condition that is estimated to occur in approximately 10% of all patients diagnosed with cancer. No single laboratory test is available that is absolutely diagnostic for DIC; however, several laboratory results, combined with certain clinical findings, will support the diagnosis. Despite the lack of a standardized protocol for clinical management, aggressive medical and nursing care can play a prominent role in the clinical outcome of the patient with DIC.