Popis: |
The etiology of septic shock, one of the main causes of non-accident death in critical care units today, is as yet ill-understood. The bacterial components thought to be mainly responsible for sepsis syndrome are lipopolysacharides (LPS), also called endotoxins. Presence of these components in the blood stream induces an excessive production of cytokines, oxygen radicals, complement, platelet activating factor, and myocardial depressant factor, which evoke a systemic inflammatory response. Besides their vasoactive action these factors may also cause damage to tissues. |