title: Multiple system organ failure.
abstract: Multiple system organ failure represents the final common pathway to a fatal outcome in severely infected patients. Despite the development of extensive support technology, the mortality rate in this group of patients remains high: in excess of 50 per cent. This rate underscores the need for newer treatment modalities. Numerous mediators/effectors appear to play a role in the complex evolution of the process. The independent and interactive effects of these numerous mediators/effectors remain to be elucidated. Future therapies will need to address immunomodulation of the host and biochemical manipulation of the fundamental process before significant improvement in outcome can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fry
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009026:Mortality; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors