[Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the practice of the pathologist]

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) of blood develops as a result of a sharp increase in the release of thromboplastic substances. The mechanism of disseminated thrombosis is switched in at the level of the microcirculatory bed with defibrination of the peripheral blood and subsequent hemorrhages and bleedings. The causes of DIC development may include complications of pregnancy and delivery, different kinds of shock including endotoxin shock, hemorrhage, hemolysis. Histomorphological findings in DIC are as follows: hemorrhagic syndrome, fibrin thrombi in capillaries, arterioles and venules of the skin, kidneys, adrenals, hypophysis, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and other organs followed by necroses and hemorrhages in these organs. Clinically, DIC is manifested by symptoms of insufficiency of the affected organs (acute renal insufficiency, Waterhouse-Fridericksen syndrome, etc).