Overview
Definition
Widespread activation of clotting cascade resulting in both thrombosis and bleeding.
Epidemiology
Always secondary to another severe systemic illness.
Etiology & Risk Factors
- Sepsis
- Trauma
- Obstetric complications
- Malignancy (APML)
Clinical Symptoms
- Bleeding from IV sites
- Petechiae
- Organ ischemia/failure
Clinical Approach
Diagnosis
- High PT/aPTT
- Low Fibrinogen
- Low Platelets
- High D-dimer
- Schistocytes
Management
- Treat the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for sepsis)
- Cryoprecipitate
- Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
- Platelet transfusion
Complications
- Multiorgan failure
- Massive hemorrhage
- Death