Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Many conditions can cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); therefore, the overall incidence is difficult to determine. Age and sex are not good predictors. Mortality can be high; in one prospective case-control study of trauma patients, presence of DIC resulted in a significant increase in overall mortality (59% vs. 13.8% in non-DIC patients; P=0.0009).[5]Gando S, Nakanishi Y, Tedo I. Cytokines and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in posttrauma disseminated intravascular coagulation: relationship to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Crit Care Med. 1995 Nov;23(11):1835-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7587259?tool=bestpractice.com As the global incidence of many underlying disorders, such as major trauma and sepsis, remains high, decreased incidence of DIC in the near future is unlikely.