Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Surgery

An individual who undergoes invasive or major surgery is at an increased risk of developing DIC following the procedure. Surgical stress following a major procedure is known to induce early system-wide leukocytosis, as are elevated cortisol levels and administration of adrenaline during the procedure. A serious condition called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) may develop due to the effects of surgical stress, which is known to throw off the healthy regulation of certain types of cytokines. SIRS may progress into full-blown septicemia in patients within a day following their surgery. Upregulation of the actions of chemical mediators can cause the affected individual to go into a hypercoagulable state, which has the potential to trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation. Any patient who undergoes a surgical procedure involving a large blood loss like cardiac surgeries is at an increased risk of developing DIC. Acute large volume blood loss and the administration of subsequent blood transfusions within a limited period can trigger DIC as well. Some patients who have an acute hemorrhage during surgery experience an abnormal and exaggerated reaction that involves the activation and upregulation of the coagulation cascade, which has the potential to trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Learn about quite the common risk factor for DIC for women now.