Introduction:
The ISTH DIC Overt Scoring algorithm was developed by the SSC committee on DIC and published in 2001. The algorithm has been updated in 2025 - see References.
The ISTH has updated its definition of DIC to: 'An acquired,
life-threatening intravascular disorder characterized by systemic coagulation activation, dysregulated fibrinolysis, and endothelial
injury, resulting in microthrombosis. DIC arises from various underlying etiologies and progresses from a potentially asymptomatic early phase to an advanced phase with hemorrhage and/or organ dysfunction' - see References.
DIC exists in two forms: Haemorrhagic DIC and Thrombotic DIC. Haemorrhagic DIC is characterised by a bleeding tendency and arises from the consumption of coagulation factors and platelets. In contrast Thrombotic DIC arises from excessive activation of the coagulation cascade combined with suppressed fibrinolysis leading to microvascular thrombosis, ischaemia and organ dysfunction.