What is the incidence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) in Acute Liver Failure (ALF)?

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Last updated: February 7, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Incidence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) in Acute Liver Failure (ALF)

  • The incidence of DIC in patients with liver disease is reported to be 15.8% 1
  • A study of 204 cases of DIC found that the underlying disorders included liver disease in 2.9% of cases, with an incidence of DIC of 15.8% in this subgroup 1
  • Another study reported a case of DIC in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and acute liver dysfunction, highlighting the rare but possible occurrence of DIC in this context 2
  • The pathogenesis of DIC is complex and involves tissue factor-initiated coagulation disorder, resulting in disseminated microblood clots 3, 4
  • The clinical manifestations of DIC can vary depending on the underlying etiology, with some patients experiencing bleeding, organ failure, or both 1

Clinical Manifestations of DIC in ALF

  • Bleeding was observed in 31.9-50.0% of DIC patients with liver disease 1
  • Organ failure was observed in 21.7-33.3% of DIC patients with liver disease 1
  • The clinical manifestations of DIC can be influenced by the underlying pathomechanisms, including excessive fibrinolysis and endothelial dysfunction 1, 4

Diagnosis and Management of DIC in ALF

  • The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) established a DIC diagnostic scoring system consisting of global haemostatic test parameters 3
  • The management of DIC should involve the specific and vigorous treatment of the underlying conditions, as well as simultaneous management of DIC to improve patient outcomes 3
  • The use of DIC scores, such as the CLIF-C OF-DICs score, can improve the accuracy of prognosis prediction in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure 5

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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