Disseminated intravascular coagulation: an in-depth look for 2026

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a lifethreatening acquired syndrome characterized by intravascular activation of coagulation with loss of localization. Coagulopathy in DIC is a complex process, driven not only by systemic coagulation activation but also by an unbalanced fibrinolysis, endothelial damage, and the expanding concept of immunothrombosis, which plays a key role in microvascular thrombosis and organ dysfunction. DIC can manifest with a hemorrhagic or thrombotic phenotype, depending on the underlying cause (e.g. sepsis versus obstetrical DIC), but can also evolve over time (e.g. early versus late trauma).

The new definition of DIC proposed by the ISTH in 2025 modernizes this pathology by recognizing its dynamic progression from the silent early phase to the overt organ damaging coagulopathy. It introduces tailored early phase diagnostic criteria based on the underlying disease and a refined scoring system for the overt phase, allowing for earlier detection and better patient stratification. In parallel, the need for new biomarkers capable of better reflecting the underlying pathophysiological changes is becoming increasingly apparent. Novel candidates, such as thrombomodulin and NETosis-related markers, are promising tools that could pave the way for the development of targeted therapies dependent on pathophysiological context.
During this webinar, clinicians, clinical pathologists, researchers, and clinical laboratory staff will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the pathophysiology of DIC and the newly published ISTH definition and scoring system.