Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Disseminated Intravascular
Coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is
a serious, life-threatening condition of the blood clotting system that can be
caused by myriad insults to the body. It has a grave prognosis unless caught
and treated early in the course of disease. Skin manifestations occur early and
continue to progress unless the patient recovers. The skin lesions may lead to
gangrene and secondary infection, further worsening the prognosis. DIC is seen
as an end-stage process, caused by the consumption of blood clotting factors,
that results in uncontrolled clotting and bleeding occurring simultaneously.