Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Surgery

An individual who undergoes invasive or significant surgery is at an increased risk of developing disseminated intravascular coagulation following the procedure. Surgical stress following a major procedure is known to induce early system-wide leukocytosis, elevated cortisol levels, and adrenaline administration during the process. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) may develop due to the effects of surgical stress, which is known to throw off the healthy regulation of certain types of cytokines. This condition may progress into full-blown septicemia in patients within a day of their surgery. Upregulation of chemical mediators' actions can cause the affected individual to go into a hypercoagulable state. This is what triggers disseminated intravascular coagulation. 

Any patient who undergoes a surgical procedure involving a large blood loss like cardiac surgeries is at an increased risk of developing this condition. Acute large volume blood loss and the administration of subsequent blood transfusions within a limited period can trigger it as well. Patients who have an acute hemorrhage during surgery experience an abnormal and exaggerated reaction involving the coagulation cascade's activation and upregulation. This can result in disseminated intravascular coagulation.