evidence: McGonagle, D., O’Donnell, J. S., Sharif, K., Emery, P. & Bridgewood, C. Immune mechanisms of pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy in COVID-19 pneumonia. Lancet Rheumatol.2, e437–e445 (2020). [...] Goshua, G. et al. Endotheliopathy in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy: evidence from a single-centre, cross-sectional study. Lancet Haematol.7, e575–e582 (2020). [...] Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). An acquired syndrome characterized by the intravascular activation of coagulation without a precise localization in response to microvascular injury, leading to organ dysfunction when sufficiently severe. DIC involves large production of thrombin accompanied by platelet activation and consumption, altered fibrinolysis and microvascular thrombosis. It can occur in critically ill patients with overwhelming infection, fulminant sepsis, extensive tissue damage or malignancy.