Disseminated intravascular coagulation: pathophysiology and principles of management

DIC is a thrombohemorrhagic syndrome which occurs in association with well-defined clinical disorders such as septicemia, acute leukemia, snake envenomation, hypoxic states, etc. These disease conditions trigger the coagulation cascade in vivo resulting in formation of microthrombi, activation of fibrinolysis and a bleeding tendency. The important and most frequently observed laboratory abberrations include reduced platelet counts, low levels of fibrinogen, factors V and XIII with increased FDP's. Therapy primarily consists of recognizing the cause of DIC, removing the triggering process and administering anticoagulant therapy in specific situations. Component replacement is required if patients continue to bleed inspite of instituting the above mentioned measures. Rarely, drugs which inhibit fibrinolysis may be indicated. Early recognition and prompt institution of appropriate remedial measures coupled with adequate laboratory monitoring help in reducing morbidity and mortality due to DIC.