What is disseminated intravascular coagulation?

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) presents in a very ill patient as bleeding into the skin (purpura) and other tissues. It arises as a complication of different serious and life-threatening diseases. It covers the continuum of events that occur in the coagulation pathway. Initially, there is uncontrolled activation of clotting factors in the blood vessels, causing clotting of blood throughout the whole body. This depletes the body of its platelets and coagulation factors and results in a paradoxically increased risk of bleeding (haemorrhaging).

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Source: dermnetnz.org