Organ system dysfunction is a common adverse sequelae of severe sepsis and
septic shock and has been reported to be the most common cause of death in
the noncoronary intensive care unit. The pathophysiology of the development
of multiple organ system dysfunction is likely multifactoral and may take
several different pathways. The frequency of specific organ system involvem
ent is dependent on the definition used to describe the organ dysfunction.
The presence of organ dysfunction has great clinical impact on the underlyi
ng disease process, can prolong the hospital stay, increase the cost of car
e, and has been associated with an increase in mortality rate. At present,
there is no recognized specific treatment for established organ failure, th
is primary attention has been directed toward prevention.