Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a rare entity in burn injury

Severe burns are traditionally quoted as causes for acute disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). However, literature is scarce, and the real incidence of DIC is still unknown. In order to determine the incidence and the clinical implications of DIC in the burned population, 3331 consecutive burned patients were review. There were three episodes of DIC (0.09%) and six patients had abnormal levels of fibrin degradation products. All DIC episodes resolved with aggressive supportive therapy and replacement therapy, although two of the patients died from the underlying pathology. There were no deaths attributed to DIC and there were no signs of DIC on autopsy. In conclusion, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy is a rare complication following severe burn trauma. It complicates the course of the critically ill burn patient, although appropriate therapy prevents its fulminant course. However, a prospective multicenter study with close monitoring of all coagulation parameters may be necessary to elucidate the real incidence of DIC in burn patients.