Coagulación intravascular diseminada en una institución de alto nivel en Medellín, Colombia

BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a pathological condition that tends to appear as consequence of critical conditions such as sepsis, trauma and cancer. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is associated, mainly, to systemic inflammatory response mechanisms through activation of endogenous thrombotic systems, which overpass the body's anticoagulant capacity. OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation in a high-complexity institution in Medellin, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational descriptive study was conducted, including patients that fulfilled the following selection criteria: adult patients admitted to the institution from January 2016 to December 2017. RESULTS: During the study period there were included 13 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation diagnosis, 7 of them were female. By occupation, 6 patients were employees. Twelve main diagnoses were reported for the included patients. CONCLUSIONS: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a potentially deathly complication of various diseases that can rise in the context of infections, neoplasms, and pregnancy, so, it should be acknowledged by health professionals in order to prevent it and treat it in an early and adequate manner.