Disseminated intravascular coagulation natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omer Kamal, M.D.[2]

Overview

If left untreated, 40-80% patients with DIC may progress to develop organ dysfunction. Common complications of DIC include renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, acute lung injury, neurologic dysfunction and adrenal failure. Low levels of antithrombin at the onset if shock may predict an unfavorable prognosis.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

If left untreated, 40-80% patients with DIC may progress to develop organ dysfunction

Common complications of DIC include:

Low levels of antithrombin at the onset if shock may predict an unfavorable prognosis. ^[1]
Prognosis depends upon the cause of DIC. ^[2]
The prognosis varies with the cause^[3]^[4]

References

↑ Hulka F, Mullins RJ, Frank EH (September 1996). “Blunt brain injury activates the coagulation process”. Arch Surg. 131 (9): 923–7, discussion 927–8. PMID 8790176.
↑ Fourrier F, Chopin C, Goudemand J, Hendrycx S, Caron C, Rime A, Marey A, Lestavel P (March 1992). “Septic shock, multiple organ failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Compared patterns of antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S deficiencies”. Chest. 101 (3): 816–23. PMID 1531791.
↑ Gando S, Nanzaki S, Kemmotsu O (January 1999). “Disseminated intravascular coagulation and sustained systemic inflammatory response syndrome predict organ dysfunctions after trauma: application of clinical decision analysis”. Ann. Surg. 229 (1): 121–7. PMC 1191617. PMID 9923809.
↑ Siegal T, Seligsohn U, Aghai E, Modan M (February 1978). “Clinical and laboratory aspects of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): a study of 118 cases”. Thromb. Haemost. 39 (1): 122–34. PMID 580488.

Overview