Summary

Already in the 19th century some of the first clinical and pathological observations related to DIC were made. A more precise description of DIC and its underlying pathogenesis had to wait until the 20th century, when more insight in the mechanism of blood coagulation was attained and better laboratory tests had become available. Although the general picture of DIC is known to most clinicians, a precise description of the syndrome, a good working definition and a useful scoring system are not available. The SSC subcommittee on DIC has worked over the last years to come closer to achieve these goals. Traditionally DIC is diagnosed in association with the following