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| Sepsis is particulary common and dangerous in elderly, immunocompromised, and critically ill patients, where it is a major cause of death in intensive care units worldwide. In the ], sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-] ] patients, while recent 1998 data from the ] show that it is the 11th leading cause of death overall. Mortality rates ranging from 28 to 50% have been reported for sepsis. | Sepsis is particulary common and dangerous in elderly, immunocompromised, and critically ill patients, where it is a major cause of death in intensive care units worldwide. In the ], sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-] ] patients, while recent 1998 data from the ] show that it is the 11th leading cause of death overall. Mortality rates ranging from 28 to 50% have been reported for sepsis. | ||
| The therapy of sepsis relies on ]s, fluid replacement, ] (and in some cases, surgical) treatment of the causating infection, and appropriate support for organ dysfunction. This may include ] in renal failure, ] |
The therapy of sepsis relies on ]s, fluid replacement, ] (and in some cases, surgical) treatment of the causating infection, and appropriate support for organ dysfunction. This may include ] in renal failure, ] in pulmonary dysfunction, transfusion of ], ] and coagulation factors to stabilize blood ], and drug and fluid therapy for circulatory failure. | ||
| ==Related conditions== | ==Related conditions== | ||
| *'''Septicemia''' is the presence of ] in the bloodstream. Septicemia can occur in sepsis and other serious diseases such as infective ], but it may also be a harmless and transient condition. | *'''Septicemia''' (or '''bacteriemia''') is the presence of ] in the ]. Septicemia can occur in sepsis and other serious diseases such as infective ], but it may also be a harmless and transient condition. | ||
| *'''SIRS''' (Systemic inflammatory response syndrome) is associated with a variety of causes such as severe trauma, burns, or shock. In its clinical appearance SIRS may be indistinguishable from sepsis, but a causating infection is by definition not involved. | *'''SIRS''' (Systemic inflammatory response syndrome) is associated with a variety of causes such as severe trauma, burns, or shock. In its clinical appearance SIRS may be indistinguishable from sepsis, but a causating infection is by definition not involved. | ||
Revision as of 14:36, 21 August 2003
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the immune response of an organism to severe infection. Sepsis is characterized by overwhelming systemic (i.e. not localised) inflammation. It is often associated with coagulation disorders and dysfunction of the circulatory system. Even under optimal treatment, dysfunction of many organ systems may progress to multiple organ failure and eventually death.
Sepsis is particulary common and dangerous in elderly, immunocompromised, and critically ill patients, where it is a major cause of death in intensive care units worldwide. In the United States, sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-coronary ICU patients, while recent 1998 data from the Centers for Disease Control show that it is the 11th leading cause of death overall. Mortality rates ranging from 28 to 50% have been reported for sepsis.
The therapy of sepsis relies on antibiotics, fluid replacement, antibiotic (and in some cases, surgical) treatment of the causating infection, and appropriate support for organ dysfunction. This may include hemodialysis in renal failure, mechanical ventilation in pulmonary dysfunction, transfusion of blood plasma, platelets and coagulation factors to stabilize blood coagulation, and drug and fluid therapy for circulatory failure.
Related conditions
- Septicemia (or bacteriemia) is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Septicemia can occur in sepsis and other serious diseases such as infective endocarditis, but it may also be a harmless and transient condition.
- SIRS (Systemic inflammatory response syndrome) is associated with a variety of causes such as severe trauma, burns, or shock. In its clinical appearance SIRS may be indistinguishable from sepsis, but a causating infection is by definition not involved.