Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a rare blood clotting disorder. It may happen if you have illnesses like sepsis, cancer or pancreatitis.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a rare blood clotting disorder that can cause organ damage and uncontrollable bleeding. DIC is a complication of different serious medical conditions that can be life-threatening if you don’t receive treatment.
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DIC symptoms may include:
To understand what causes DIC, it may help to understand how your body makes blood clots. Your liver makes clotting factors (proteins) that stick to platelets in your blood to form a blood clot. Normally, blood clots stop or slow bleeding and start your body’s healing process. But In DIC, your body develops more blood clots than you need.
There are two stages of DIC:
Risk factors include having serious infections or injuries, certain medical conditions or complications of some medical treatments.
Medical conditions that can cause DIC include:
Medical treatments that can cause DIC include:
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Without treatment, DIC can cause:
Healthcare providers will do a physical examination and ask about your medical history, specifically whether you have sepsis, cancer or other medical conditions that cause disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Healthcare providers may use the following tests:
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DIC treatment starts with treating the condition or injury that triggered blood clot development. Healthcare providers also take steps to reduce bleeding with:
Anticoagulants may cause internal bleeding. If you receive them, your healthcare provider will explain what steps you should take to reduce your risk of internal bleeding.
Yes, they can. Supportive treatments like anticoagulants and blood and platelet transfusions may stop blood clots from forming. But healthcare providers still need to treat the medical issue that triggers DIC.
Most people who have disseminated intravascular coagulation are already coping with serious medical conditions or illnesses. If that’s your situation, a DIC diagnosis means you have another serious medical issue to manage. Here are some suggestions that may help you to manage DIC:
Disseminated intravascular coagulation can cause serious complications. You should seek care or go to the emergency room (ER) right away if you have:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you have disseminated intravascular coagulation, you’re already dealing with other serious medical issues. Having DIC likely means you have more symptoms to monitor, medications to take and treatments to manage. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your medical challenges. They’ll understand what you’re going through and will have suggestions for programs or services.
Last reviewed on 08/30/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy