In death, truth lies: why do patients with sepsis die?

In death, truth lies: why do patients with sepsis die? Anaesthesia & Analgesia, vol 108(6), June 2009, p 1731-1733. [editorial]

Tenhunen, J. J.

http://ovidsp.uk.ovid.com/spa/ovidweb.cgi?&S=NODKPDLLCDHFJNDMFNFLOGHHMNONAA00&Link+Set=S.sh.2.14.16.17.20.44%7c3%7csl_10

It is no news that, even today, sepsis is associated with high mortality. All of us who regularly practice intensive care medicine have seen our patients with sepsis die. Yet, it seems acceptable to claim that we do not know ultimately why these patients die. Some die despite full continuing therapeutic efforts, although others die after therapy has been withheld or withdrawn. Most patients who die with or because of sepsis, die with established multiple organ dysfunction or failure. Although the clinical cause of death can be classified as “refractory septic shock,” “multiple organ failure,” or “acute circulatory failure,” the actual causes and mechanisms for treatment failure and death remain mostly unidentified.