Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection
. This definition emphasizes the importance of organ dysfunction in the context of an infection
Pathophysiology
- Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated systemic inflammatory and immune response to microbial invasion, leading to organ injury
- The immune response initiated by an invading pathogen fails to return to homeostasis, resulting in sustained excessive inflammation and immune suppression
- The pathophysiology of sepsis involves aberrant interaction between leukocytes and the vascular endothelium
- In sepsis, the coagulation system is closely tied to the inflammatory response, with cross talk between the two systems
Clinical manifestations
- Sepsis often presents with fever (or hypothermia), tachycardia, tachypnea, and blood leukocyte changes
- The clinical manifestations of sepsis are due to the pathophysiological changes that cause organ dysfunction, which may progress to multiple organ failure and death
Diagnosis
- The diagnosis of sepsis is based on the presence of infection and organ dysfunction
- The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is used to codify organ dysfunction in the context of sepsis
Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. Understanding its pathophysiology and clinical manifestations is crucial for its diagnosis and management.