Formation of blood clots throughout the body, usually in critical illnesses.Encyclopedia Entry for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation :Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation(*) - most commonly Escherichia coli (G- rod)Encyclopedia Entry for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation :Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). When you are injured, proteins in the blood that form blood clots travel to the injury site to help stop bleeding. If these proteins become abnormally active throughout the body, you could develop DIC. The underlying cause is usually due to inflammation, infection, or cancer. In some cases of DIC, small blood clots form in the blood vessels. Some of these clots can clog the vessels and cut off the normal blood supply to organs such as the liver, brain, or kidneys. Lack of blood flow can damage and cause major injury to the organs. In other cases of DIC, the clotting proteins in your blood are consumed. When this happens, you may have a high risk of serious bleeding, even from a minor injury or without injury. You may also have bleeding that starts spontaneously (on its own). The disease can also cause your healthy red blood cells to fragment and break up when they travel through the small vessels that are filled with clots. Risk factors for DIC include: Blood transfusion reaction Cancer, especially certain types of leukemia Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Infection in the blood, especially by bacteria or fungus Liver disease Pregnancy complications (such as placenta that is left behind after delivery) Recent surgery or anesthesia Severe tissue injury (as in burns and head injury) Large hemangioma (a blood vessel that is not formed properly).Symptoms of DIC may include any of the following: Bleeding, from many sites in the body Blood clots Bruising Drop in blood pressure Shortness of breath Confusion, memory loss or change of behavior Fever.You may have any of the following tests: Complete blood count with blood smear exam Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) Prothrombin time (PT) Fibrinogen blood test D-dimer .There is no specific treatment for DIC. The goal is to determine and treat the underlying cause of DIC. Supportive treatments may include: Plasma transfusions to replace blood clotting factors if a large amount of bleeding is occurring. Blood thinner medicine (heparin) to prevent blood clotting if a large amount of clotting is occurring.Outcome depends on what is causing the disorder. DIC can be life threatening.Complications from DIC may include: Bleeding Lack of blood flow to the arms, legs, or vital organs Stroke.Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have bleeding that does not stop.Get prompt treatment for conditions known to bring on this disorder.Consumption coagulopathy; DIC.Blood clot formation Blood clot formation Meningococcemia on the calves Meningococcemia on the calves Blood clots Blood clots.Napotilano M, Schmair AH, Kessler CM. Coagulation and fibrinolysis.