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Disseminated intravascular coagulation: A devastating systemic disorder of special concern with COVID-19
Parmvir Singh1, Robert A Schwartz1
1Dermatology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Insights
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe systemic disorder, is linked to COVID-19. Early recognition and treatment of DIC, focusing on the underlying cause, are crucial to prevent fatal complications like organ failure.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a critical systemic disorder.
- DIC is frequently associated with severe infections, notably COVID-19.
- Cutaneous manifestations are common and can indicate disease severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the medical literature on Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).
- To update concerns regarding DIC, with a focus on its connection to COVID-19.
- To highlight the significance of early DIC recognition and management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review using Medline and Google Scholar.
- Search terms included "Disseminated intravascular coagulation" and "consumption coagulopathy".
- Focused on English-language publications from the past two decades, emphasizing COVID-19.
Main Results:
- Skin findings like acrocyanosis, petechiae, purpura, and necrosis are prominent indicators of DIC.
- The severity of skin lesions often correlates with the systemic severity of the disease.
- Infection, particularly COVID-19, is a primary cause of DIC.
Conclusions:
- Effective DIC treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and providing supportive care.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of DIC are essential to avert severe outcomes, including multiple organ failure.
- Understanding the link between COVID-19 and DIC is vital for clinical practice.
Abstract:
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is linked with severe COVID-19, prompting considerable concern. DIC can be a devastating systemic disorder. It is often markedly manifest on the skin as acrocyanosis or as petechiae and purpura with progression to hemorrhagic bullae. Subcutaneous hematomas may occur, as may thrombotic findings including necrosis and gangrene. The most common cause is infection, with special emphasis now on COVID-19. We have reviewed the medical literature under the search terms "Disseminated intravascular coagulation" and "consumption coagulopathy" for the past two decades in the English language using Medline and Google Scholar to update special concerns and considerations, focusing on those with COVID-19. Skin findings with DIC may be prominent. The severity of cutaneous lesions often correlates with the gravity of systemic disease. DIC is most effectively treated by addressing the underlying cause and resuscitating the patient using supportive measures. It is pivotal to recognize and treat DIC early, before deadly complications, such as multiple organ failure, arise.
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