Introduction
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, also known as MODS, can occur after any severe injury or disease process that activates a large systemic inflammatory response which includes any kind of shock (Sole, 2013, 283). Like with any kind of dysfunction, organ dysfunction can lead to further organ failure and ultimately death (Sole, 2013, 283). The most common causes of MODS includes severe sepsis and septic shock, which represents the highest cause of mortality in these conditions (Semeraro, 2011, 293). The body’s immune system along with the body’s response to stress can be a precipitating factor to maldistribution of circulating volume, global tissue hypoxia, and metabolic alterations which results in damage to the organs (Sole, 2013, 283). According to Ignatavicius (2013), once the damage has begun, a vicious cycle follow resulting in further cellular and organ damage. The first organs to lose their function include the liver, heart, brain, and kidneys, with the most devastating change being the damage to the heart muscle (Ignatavicius, 2013, 814). Multitudes of research has been done to further explain the cause and possible treatments for this deadly syndrome.
Pathophysiology
MODS can classified as either primary or secondary. According to Sole (2013), Primary MODS is a result of an injury to a specific organ which can occur in shock, trauma, burns, or infection that causes an impairment in the perfusion of blood that can either be localized or systemic,
Cardiogenic shock is a frequently fatal complication that occurs when the heart cannot pump an adequate amount of blood in order to perfuse tissues. This hypoperfusion causes multiple organ dysfunction and damage which classifies cardiogenic shock a medical emergency. In the past, cardiogenic shock had a poor prognosis. However, currently approximately half of the people that go into cardiogenic shock survive (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI], 2011).
This is the stage of the injury and will become the start of the rehabilitation process. When an injury occurs your body reacts immediately to heal it. This is often referred as the primary response mechanism. The main symptoms of primary damaged response are pain, bleeding and also inflammation.
Intrarenal acute renal failure- accounts for 30% to 40% of the cases of ARF- generally results from acute tubular necrosis due to disturbances within the glomerulus or renal tubules. ATN most often occurs after surgery but is also associated with sepsis, severe trauma, including severe burns,
Systemic and can quickly become life-threatening with organ failure, including reduced blood pressure and heart failure 1 2
According to information published by the Mayo Clinic, sepsis has three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. The mortality rate for septic shock is nearly 50 per cent, and an episode of severe sepsis increases the risk of future infections. Severe sepsis causes blood flow to the vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, to become impaired. Sepsis can also cause blood clots to form in organs and extremities such as arms, legs, fingers and toes, which can lead to organ failure and tissue death (gangrene).
However, acute kidney injury is complications are reversible. Patients with life threatening conditions are more susceptible to developing this disorder. Acute kidney injury is commonly developed after either chronic hypotension or hypovolemia or exposure to a nephrotoxic agent. With increased levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and potassium with or without a reduction in urine output develops acute kidney injury over hours or days (Lewis, 2014, p. 1101-1102). High incidents of hospitalized patients develop AKI, one out of five, and a high mortality rate. (Lewis, 2014, pp. 1101-1102)
Hadjiliadis, D. (2012, January 2). Septic Shock. New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/dise
As sepsis progresses, tissues become less perfused and acidotic, compensation begins to fail, and the patient begins to show organ dysfunction. The cardiovascular system also begins to fail, the blood pressure does not respond to fluid resuscitation and vasoactive agents, and signs of end-organ damage are evident (e.g., renal failure, pulmonary failure, hepatic failure). As sepsis progresses to septic shock, the blood pressure drops, and the skin becomes cool, pale, and mottled. Temperature may be normal or below normal. Heart and respiratory rates remain rapid. Urine production ceases, and multiple organ dysfunction progressing to death occurs. Adventitious lung sounds occur throughout the lung fields, not just in the upper fields of the lungs.
Septic shock is a subset of severe sepsis and was defined as “sepsis-induced hypotension persisting despite adequate fluid resusci- tation” (see Fig. 12.1). While the quantity of fluid that qualifies as “adequate fluid resuscitation” is controversial, we believe septic shock is best defined as a “mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 65 mmHg after a fluid challenge of 20 mL/Kg body weight (given 30–60 minutes) in patients with sepsis and in the absence of other causes for hypotension” (also see Chap. 14). According to the ACCP/SCCM defini- tions, three stages in the hierarchy of the host’s response to infection were recognized, namely, sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock, with sepsis having the best prognosis and septic shock the worst. While the use of the SIRS criteria to define sepsis is some- what controversial [3–6], many consider sepsis to be best defined as the “systemic response to infection with the presence of some degree of organ dysfunction”
When a patient has sepsis early symptoms will include those that define SIRS; abnormal body temperature, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and/or abnormal white blood cell count. If these symptoms are left untreated, organ failure will start to occur. Signs of organ failure can include decreased urine output, sudden changes in mental status, difficulty breathing, decrease in platelets and abnormal heart rhythms. Decreased cardiac output and hypotension may also start to occur, which indicates septic
The fundamental principle of the phenomenon known as sepsis is an amplified immune response to a pathogen. It is important to note that the insult originates from the excessive host response to, rather than the pathogenicity of, the infective agent1. The upregulation of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1α/β, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ, and MIF) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β, and IL-4) mediators have been found in various sepsis states2. The exact function, value, and limits of this peculiar, and extravagant, immune response is not fully understood3. Historically, sepsis and processes within the sepsis spectrum have been difficult to truly identify and diagnose1. In 2012, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign identified three major categories of the phenomenon: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic
Sepsis, referred by many as “blood poisoning (a non-medical term)”, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency intervention by medical and nursing staffs. It occurs when bacteria or their products or sometimes both reach the patient blood. Even though bacteria infections are the predominant causes of sepsis, it can have other causes such from fungal infections and any other types of infections. Once the patient has sepsis, suddenly they start displaying clinical cues to alert health care teams that emergency care is required. If early interventions are not made, sepsis may progress to septic shock, ultimately death. Knowing the stages of sepsis is crucial so that treatment can be made in accordance to the causes. Early reversal
The pathophysiology of acute renal failure is still uncertain though it is thought to be
The body is made of several different organ systems. All of the systems play a major role in sustaining life. The systems also work in conjunction with each other. When one organ system starts to fail, it causes other body systems to begin to have problems. A few of many systems are the renal (produces urine), the gastrointestinal (food break down), and the hepatic which directs blood. Along with these systems, if someone has metabolic syndrome, this syndrome can affect all of the organ systems in the body.