Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC - Consumptive)

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  • Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC - Consumptive)

Etiology

  • A consumptive process (of platelets and clotting factors) typically triggered by a severe infection (e.g. bacterial sepsis), trauma, cancer (many types, in particular APML), or another severe process

Risk Factors

  • Severe illness

Symptoms

  • Symptoms related to underlying problem (e.g. f, pain, sob, etc secondary to a site of infection)
  • Bleeding at puncture sites, mucosa related to thrombocytopenia and lack of clotting factors
  • Less commonly causes thrombosis (5-10%)--> e.g. limb or digit ischemia

Physical Exam Findings

  • Severe illness with abnormal VS and focal findings related to the primary process (infxn, trauma, etc)
  • Mucosal and puncture site bleeding

Tests

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