Classification
Acute (decompensated) DIC:
Occurs in a short amount of time when pro-coagulants are expelled into the blood. Thrombin is produced in vast amounts trigging coagulation and excess deposition of intravascular fibrin, resulting in severe bleeding, tissue injury and/or organ failure. Acute DIC is typically seen in severe infection, obstetric complications and massive tissue injury due to trauma or burns.
Chronic (compensated) DIC:
Occurs when the blood is exposed to small amounts of pro-coagulant continuously over an extended period of time. It is seen in conditions such as malignancy and less commonly chronic infections such as tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and in inflammatory bowel disease. More rarely, chronic DIC can be seen in cases of aortic aneurysm and dead fetus in utero. Although these patients are generally asymptomatic, they can manifest with signs such as minor skin/ mucosal bleeds and/or thrombosis.