August 25, 2016

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a serious complication of some critical illnesses. Patients are very ill and can present with a multitude of symptoms. While treatment of the underlying illness is key, there are some key interventions that can be initiated in the emergency department (ED). This is a brief review of the the underlying pathophysiology of DIC and the interventions that can be initiated in the ED.