disseminated intravascular coagulation
nounMedical Definition of disseminated intravascular coagulation
: an acute or chronic thrombotic and hemorrhagic disorder that arises secondary to various disease states (as acute promyelocytic leukemia, abruptio placentae, or major trauma) and is marked by uncontrolled systemic coagulation resulting in thrombosis which in acute cases typically leads to generalized bleeding due to depletion of clotting factors and increased fibrinolysis
—abbreviation DIC