Sepsis 1 Flashcards
(32 cards)
What does SIRS stand for?
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
What are the clinical criteria for SIRS?
Two or more of the following:
- Temp >38°C or <36°C
- HR >90 bpm
- RR >20/min or PaCO₂ <32 mmHg
- WBC >12,000/mm³, <4,000/mm³, or >10% immature (bands)
Is SIRS specific to infection?
No, SIRS can be triggered by non-infectious causes like trauma, burns, pancreatitis
What is sepsis?
Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection.
What tool is used to define organ dysfunction in sepsis?
SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) or qSOFA score.
What are the qSOFA criteria?
- RR ≥22
- Altered mentation (GCS <15)
- Systolic BP ≤100 mmHg
What defines septic shock?
- Persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors to keep MAP ≥65 mmHg
- Serum lactate >2 mmol/L after fluid resuscitation
How many sepsis cases occur globally per year?
49 million.
How many global deaths are due to sepsis?
Around 11 million (≈1 in 5 deaths).
What is the pediatric impact of sepsis?
3 million deaths in children under 5 annually.
What is the UK statistic for sepsis mortality?
1 person dies of sepsis every 12 minutes in the UK.
What percent of sepsis survivors experience complications?
About 40% experience major complications or long-term disability.
What is innate immunity?
The body’s immediate, non-specific defense system against pathogens.
What are the four classic signs of inflammation?
Calor (heat)
Dolor (pain)
Rubor (redness)
Tumor (swelling)
What triggers innate immune responses?
Recognition of PAMPs (Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns) by PRRs (Pattern Recognition Receptors), including TLRs.
What are Toll-like receptors (TLRs)?
A type of PRR found on immune cells that detect microbial components and activate immune responses.
What does TLR4 recognize?
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria.
What does TLR3 detect?
Viral double-stranded RNA (commonly in endosomes).
What immune mediators are upregulated by TLR activation?
Pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6.
What characterizes regulated inflammation?
Local, controlled response that eliminates threats and resolves without widespread damage.
What causes dysregulated inflammation in sepsis?
Excessive or unbalanced immune activation → systemic vasodilation, capillary leak, coagulation activation.
What are the consequences of dysregulated inflammation?
Reduced perfusion
Tissue damage
Multi-organ dysfunction
Lactic acidosis
What are the normal roles of mitochondria?
- ATP production
- ROS generation
- Calcium regulation
- Heat production
- Apoptosis regulation
Hormone production (e.g., cortisol, estrogen)
What happens to mitochondria during sepsis?
Impaired ATP generation
Increased ROS
Dysfunction in electron transport chain
Possible mitochondrial “hibernation”
