D I C

the intravascular activation of coagulation with loss of localization arising

from different causes.It can originate from and cause damage to microvasculature, which if sufficiently severe , can produce organ dysfunction.

a marked increase in plasma fibrinogen( more than double the

non pregnant level ).
Plasma fibrinolytic activity is decreased during pregnancy and returns to normal within one hour of delivery of placenta.

or inciting etiology .
Patients with acute DIC have petechiae on

the soft palate and legs from thrombocytopenia and ecchymosis at venipuncture sites.
Acute DIC occurs in obstetric calamities such as placental abruption
and amniotic fluid emboli.

coagulation in vitro, and the degree of placental seperation correlates

with the extent of DIC , suggesting that leakage of thromboplastin like material from the placental system is responsible for the occurrence of DIC.
Coagulation system may also be activated in patients with pre
eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

the symptoms and signs of venous thromboembolism may be present.

pyelonephritis of pregnancy.
Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Severe pregnancy induced hypertension
Intra-amniotic hypertonic saline

– IUD ( prolonged retension of dead fetus).

abruptio placentae, or with amniotic fluid embolism. Trauma, particularly to

the brain, can also result in DIC.

the imbalance of hemostasis, to the underlying disease, or to

both.
The most common findings are bleeding ranging from oozing from venipuncture sites, petechiae, and ecchymoses to severe hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract, lung, or into the CNS.
In chronic DIC, the bleeding symptoms are discrete and restricted to
skin or mucosal surfaces.

in the microcirculation and resulting organ failure.
Thrombosis of large vessels

and cerebral embolism can also
occur.
Hemodynamic complications and shock are common among patients with acute DIC. The mortality ranges from 30 to >80% depending on the underlying disease, the severity of the DIC, and the age of the patient.

DIC.
Brain- altered state of consiousness , seizures
Lungs- respiratory distress
Heart- hypotension,

cardiac arrest
Kidney – Oliguria,Anuria, Acidosis

time (TT)] and markers of fibrin degradation products (FDPs), in

addition to platelet and red cell count and analysis of the blood smear.

These tests should be repeated over a period of 6–8 hours because an initially mild abnormality can change dramatically in patients with severe DIC.


A reduction in platelet count at subsequent tests is a sensitive sign of DIC.

a rapid decline in platelet numbers.
the presence of schistocytes (fragmented

red cells) in the blood smear; and elevated levels of FDP.
The most sensitive test for DIC is the FDP level..

levels of FDP. The D-dimer test is more specific for

detection of fibrin—but not fibrinogen degradation products and indicates that the cross-linked fibrin has been digested by plasmin. Because fibrinogen has a prolonged half-life, plasma levels diminish acutely only in severe cases of DIC.

coagulation tests- Platelet counts, D-dimer , Fibrinogen , PT and

aPTT.
Platelet count >1 lac = 0 points , 50,000 to 1 lac = 1 point , <50,000 = 2 point.
Elevated fibrin marker – No elevation = 0 point , moderate increase=
2 point , strong inc = 3 points.

sec = 1 point , >6 sec = 2 point.
Fibrinogen

level > 1 gm/l = 0 points , < 1 = 1 point
Calculate Score- > or = 5 compatible with overt DIC , repeat scoring daily.

to the underlying disease rather than the complications of the

DIC. The control or elimination of the underlying cause should therefore be the primary concern.
Patients with severe DIC require control of hemodynamic parameters, respiratory support, and sometimes invasive surgical procedures.
Attempts to treat DIC without accompanying treatment of the
causative disease are likely to fail.

thrombocytopenia (platelet counts

factors will require replacement therapy.

of the
severity of the clotting factor consumption.

Replacement

with FFP is indicated (1 unit of FFP increases most coagulation factors by 3% in an adult without DIC).

Low levels of fibrinogen (<100 mg/dL) or brisk hyperfibrinolysis will require infusion of cryoprecipitate (plasma fraction enriched for fibrinogen, FVIII, and vWF).

The replacement of 10 U of cryoprecipitate for every 2–3 U of FFP is sufficient to correct the hemostasis.

and laboratory evolution.
Platelet concentrates at a dose of 1–2 U/10

kg body weight are
sufficient for most DIC patients with severe thrombocytopenia.
Clotting factor concentrates are not recommended for control of bleeding in DIC because of the limited efficacy afforded by replacement of single factors (FVIII or FIX concentrates), and the high risk of
products containing traces of aPCCs that further aggravate the disease.

NO LYSI S I NHI BI TO RS
Drugs to control coagulation

such as heparin, ATIII concentrates, or antifibrinolytic drugs have all been tried in the treatment of DIC.
In acute DIC, the use of heparin is likely to aggravate bleeding. To date, the use of heparin in patients with severe DIC has no proven survival benefit.

prevent fibrin degradation by plasmin may reduce bleeding episodes in

patients with DIC and confirmed hyperfibrinolysis. However, these drugs can increase the risk of thrombosis and concomitant use of heparin is indicated.