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Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - Treatment

Alternative Names

Consumption coagulopathy

Treatment:

The goal is to determine and treat the underlying cause of DIC.

Blood clotting factors will be replaced with plasma transfusions. Heparin, a medication used to prevent clotting, is sometimes used also.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome depends on what is causing the disorder.

Complications:

Lack of blood flow to arms, legs, or vital organs
Severe bleeding
Stroke

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have bleeding that won't stop.

Blood clot formation

Meningococcemia on the calves

Meningococcemia on the leg

Meningococcemia associated purpura

Blood clots

Reviewed last on: 5/19/2008
Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Levi M. Disseminated intravascular coagulation: What's new? Crit Care Clin. Jul 2005; 21(3): 449-67.

DeLoughery TG. Critical care clotting catastrophies. Crit Care Clin. Jul 2005; 21(3): 531-62.

Gando S. A multicenter, prospective validation of disseminated intravascular coagulation diagnostic criteria for critically ill patients: comparing current criteria. Crit Care Med. Mar 2006; 34(3): 625-31.

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