Why is DIC a Rare Diagnosis in the 21st Century?

Abstract

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) has been a common diagnosis made by health care givers since the dawn of the 20th century. However, currently, this diagnosis is entertained rarely in clinical settings that can predispose to this complication. The incidence of four common clinical scenarios traditionally associated with DIC, sepsis, trauma, obstetrical disorders, and cancers, are on the increase due to better diagnostics and management strategies, but DIC is rarely diagnosed in these disease categories currently. The authors suggest the rarity of a DIC diagnosis is due to varied understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition. In this perspectives, we would like to present reasons for this change in consideration and encourage caregivers to consider a DIC diagnosis at an early stage based on new criteria to help patients benefit from available treatments.