Haematology
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Diagnose with ISTH criteria, treat underlying cause, blood product replacement, anticoagulation in selected.
Source: BSH 2009; ISTH
Step 1 of ~2
info
Recognise + ISTH Score
Activation of coagulation + fibrinolysis simultaneously → microvascular thrombi + bleeding. Underlying triggers: sepsis, trauma, malignancy (especially APML), obstetric emergency (abruption, eclampsia, AFE, retained dead fetus), severe pancreatitis, snake bite, transfusion reaction, AAA leak.
ISTH overt DIC score:
• Platelets: <100 (1 point), <50 (2)
• PT prolongation: 3–6s (1), >6s (2)
• Fibrinogen: <1 g/L (1)
• D-dimer / FDP: moderate ↑ (2), strong ↑ (3)
Score ≥5 = overt DIC.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Factor IX Concentrate · Coagulation Factor Replacement — Haemophilia B
- Fibrinogen Concentrate · Coagulation Factor Replacement — Hypofibrinogenaemia
- Potassium chloride with potassium bicarbonate · Effervescent potassium replacement
- Dipyridamole (Secondary Stroke Prevention) · Antiplatelet — Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor / Adenosine Uptake Inhibitor
- Neostigmine · Anticholinesterase (Reversal Agent)
- Prilocaine · Local Anaesthetic (Amide)
Pathways
- Major Haemorrhage / Massive Transfusion · BCSH; RCOA; RCEM; RCS — BCSH Guidelines
- Anaemia Investigation · BSH / NICE
- Splenomegaly Workup · BSH; BMJ Best Practice
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment · NICE CG144 / NICE NG158
- Sickle Cell Crisis · BSH 2021 / BCSH
- Neutropenic Sepsis · NICE CG151 2012 / ESMO
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.