title: Making sense of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
abstract: Despite recent advances in critical care medicine, caring for patients with MODS remains one of the most challenging experience a critical care can encounter. New therapies that current exist and continue to be developed contribute to successful outcomes for patients with MODS, but there is no substitute for prevention and early intervention for persons at risk for developing MODS. Early and subtle changes in the patient who is at risk and has endured an initial insult can make a great difference in the patient's outcome and chances of mortality. Goal-directed therapy, supportive management, as well as an understanding of the inflammatory process are key to decreasing the mortality rate among patients with MODS.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, School of Nursing, 314 Godchaux Hall, 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. stephen.krau@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Krau
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012307:Risk Factors; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology