DIC Score

Assess likelihood of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

About

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a hematological emergency reflective of life-threatening critical illness. The DIC score was developed as a consensus guideline by hematologists as part of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH). It was designed to be applied to patients with a critical illness known to precipitate DIC and categorizes patients into "probable overt DIC" and "not overt DIC" based on a series of laboratory parameters.

Notably, the second parameter in this equation "Increase in Fibrin Markers" is left vague and open for interpretation. The guideline authors note wide variability in assays used for D-Dimer and other fibrin breakdown markers. As a result, they explicitly state that the wide discordance amongst assays have failed to generate an evidence-based cut off point and that clinician experience and judgement is necessary in the interpretation of this score.

DIC Score collects the following variables:

Platelet count

  • ≥ 100,000µL
  • 50,000 - 100,000µL
  • < 50,000µL

Increase in Fibrin Markers

  • No change
  • Moderate rise
  • Strong rise

Prothrombin Time Prolongation

  • 3 seconds or less
  • 3 - 6 seconds
  • ≥ 6 seconds

Fibrinogen Level

  • ≥ 1 g / L
  • < 1 g / L

References

Levi M, Toh CH, Thachil J, Watson HG.

Br J Haematol. 2009 Apr; 145(1):24-33.

The DIC Score calculator is created by QxMD.

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1. Platelet count?

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