Many diseases or disorders can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), as discussed in the previous article. DIC can manifest in a variety of forms depending on the severity and duration of the procoagulant stimulus, so patients with DIC can have a variety of signs. In addition, a gold standard test for establishing a definitive diagnosis is lacking, so clinicians rely heavily on evaluating patients and appropriately interpreting available laboratory test results.

Treatment is challenging as well, because the primary disorder stimulating coagulation must be identified and eliminated for a complete recovery. Supportive treatment of DIC consists of controlling excessive intravascular coagulation, maintaining organ perfusion, and replacing coagulation components, if necessary. Supportive treatment is continued until the primary disease can be eliminated. In this article, we provide guidance to help you identify and effectively treat patients with DIC early, improving their outcome.