Studies in experimental models for sepsis, the most common cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), have put forward the concept of a procoagulant state that is characterized by thrombin generation exceeding that of plasmin. Convincing evidence indicates that this imbalance between coagulation and fibrinolysis is due to increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). Levels of this fibrinolysis inhibitor indeed correlate with outcome and severity of multiple organ failure in patients with sepsis, as well as in patients with DIC from other causes. Hence we suggest that PAI-1 constitutes an important target for therapy in patients with DIC.