Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

AKA DIC is a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia that is characterized by thrombocytopenia and consumption of coagulation factors (i.e. there is usually an increase in both PT and PTT lab tests). DIC is not a disease by itself but rather secondary to an underlying disease process (e.g. secondary to infection, malignancy, trauma, etc.). On peripheral smear you may see increased numbers of schistocytes which may have been caused by a fibrin-induced intravascular hemolysis.