| Glossary

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Also known as: DIC
A complex condition that can arise from a variety of situations including some surgical procedures, malignancies, septic shock, poisonous snake bites, liver disease, and postpartum (after the delivery of a baby).  With DIC, clotting factors are activated and then used up throughout the body.  This creates numerous blood clots and at the same time leaves the patient vulnerable to excessive bleeding.
©2001 - by American Association for Clinical Chemistry