Definitions

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a systemic inflammatory response characterized by the presence of two or more of the following:

• Hyperthermia 38°C or hypothermia 36°C.
  
• Tachycardia > 90 beats/minute.
  
• Tachypnoea 20 beats/minute or PaCO₂ 4.3 kPa.
  
• Neutrophilia ≥12 × 10⁻⁹/L⁻¹ or neutropenia ≤4 × 10⁻⁹/L⁻¹.

Severe SIRS is as above plus one of the following:

• Organ dysfunction (e.g. jaundice, hypoglycaemia, renal failure).
  
• Hypoperfusion (prolonged capillary refill time).
  
• Hypotension.

Sepsis syndrome is a state of SIRS with proven infection (SIRS + infection = sepsis). Septic shock is sepsis with systemic shock. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a state of progressive and potentially reversible physiological dysfunction such that organ function cannot maintain homeostasis. It usually involves two or more organ systems. The common terminal pathways for organ damage and dysfunction are vasodilatation, capillary leak, intravascular coagulation and endothelial cell activation. CARS is a counter inflammatory response syndrome that antagonizes SIRS.

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join