Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition which causes both excessive blood clotting and excessive bleeding.

In this rapid learning you will learn how to:

• recognise the signs and symptoms of DIC
• assess the severity
• initiate the right interventions and escalate care appropriately

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Module

Mini quiz

Download the eviQ Education app to access exclusive content, including the DIC mini quiz and seven other oncological emergency interactive lessons. Use the QR code to access to DIC mini quiz, or visit our mini quizzes homepage for more information.

Additional resources

You can use the following resources in the workplace to assist you in caring for patients.

Save a copy of these resources so you can refer back to them in the workplace.

• ESMO Handbook of Oncological Emergencies
• Cancer Care Nova Scotia (2014). Guidelines for the Management of Oncologic Emergencies in Adult Patients – Full Version
• UpToDate (2019) Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation in adults
• Australian Red Cross Blood Service (2014) Management of DIC
• DIC summary sheet
• DIC signs and symptoms
• DIC assessment information
• Management of DIC
• DIC pathology table

Patient information

• MDS Manual consumer Version (2018) Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2019) Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
• Canadian Cancer Society. Disseminated intravascular coagulation

References: 

1. Singh, et al 2013, 'Trends in the incidence and outcomes of disseminated intravascular coagulation in critically ill patients (2004-2010): a population-based study', Chest, vol. 143, no.5, pp. 1235-1242. 
2. Boral, B.M., et.al. (2016). Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 146(6), pp. 670-680.
3. Levi, M, et al. "Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of disseminated intravascular coagulation". British Journal of Haematology, vol. 145, no. 1, April 1, 2009, pp. 24–33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07600.x.
4. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Health Professionals (2014). Accessed on 20/11/2019 from: https://transfusion.com.au/disease_therapeutics/dic/mgt.