When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Last reviewed: 28 Sep 2024
Last updated: 04 Nov 2021

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence of underlying disorders
  • oliguria, hypotension, or tachycardia
  • purpura fulminans, gangrene, or acral cyanosis
  • delirium or coma
  • petechiae, ecchymosis, oozing, or hematuria
Full details

Risk factors

  • major trauma/burn/organ destruction or sepsis/severe infection
  • severe obstetric disorders or complications
  • solid tumors and hematologic malignancies
  • severe toxic or immunologic reactions
  • major vascular disorders (large aortic aneurysms or giant hemangiomas)
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • platelet count
  • prothrombin time (PT)
  • fibrinogen
  • D-dimer/fibrin degradation products
  • activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
  • imaging studies or other tests
Full details

Tests to consider

  • thrombin time
  • factor V, VIII, X, XIII
Full details

Emerging tests

  • inflammatory cytokines
  • D-dimer (monoclonal antibody test)
  • antithrombin III
  • fibrinopeptide A (FPA)
  • prothrombin fragment 1 and 2

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

low bleeding risk

high bleeding risk or active bleeding

ONGOING

chronic DIC

Contributors

Authors

Haibo Wang, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor - Gratis

LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S)

Shreveport

LA

Staff Anesthesiologist

JPS Health Network

Department of Anesthesiology

Fort Worth

TX

Disclosures

HW declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Haibo Wang would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Frank G. Zavisca, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

FGZ declared he had no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Alan Kaye, MD, PhD, DABPM

Professor and Chairman

Department of Anesthesiology

LSU School of Medicine

New Orleans

LA

Disclosures

AK is on the speakers' bureau of Baxter Corporation and Hospira Corporation.

Cheng-Hock Toh, MB, ChB, MD, FRCP, FRCPath

Professor of Haematology

University of Liverpool

Liverpool

UK

Disclosures

CHT is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

  • Differentials

    • Severe liver failure
    • Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
    • Idiopathic purpura fulminans
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Management of cancer-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation: guidance from the SSC and ISTH
    • Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of disseminated intravascular coagulation (amendment to recommendation for activated protein C)
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Disseminated intravascular coagulation

    More Patient information
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer