title: Multiple systems organ failure: failure of host defense homeostasis.
abstract: To understand the processes involved in the development of MSOF, we will first define what is meant by the terms sepsis, shock, MSOF, malignant intravascular inflammation, proinflammatory mediator, and immunocompromised host. We will then briefly discuss manifestations of single organ system failure as they relate to the expression of MSOF, offering as we do, hypotheses with regard to the basic mechanisms of MSOF. Finally, because infection and host response to it appear to be central in the development of MSOF, we will discuss the pathophysiology of septic shock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pinsky
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Matuschak
mesh_terms: D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy