infections
Sepsis and Septic Shock
Complications of Sepsis and Septic Shock
The decreased blood pressure and small clots lead to a series of harmful complications: Blood flow decreases to vital organs (such as the kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain). The heart attempts to compensate by working harder, increasing the heart rate and the amount of blood pumped. Eventually, the bacterial toxins and the increased work of pumping weaken the heart. As a result, the heart pumps less blood, and vital organs receive even less blood. When tissues do not receive enough blood, they release excess lactic acid (a waste product) into the bloodstream, making the blood more acidic ( Acidosis ). All of these effects result in a vicious circle of worsening organ malfunction: The kidneys excrete little or no urine, and metabolic waste products (such asureanitrogen) accumulate in the blood. The walls of blood vessels may leak, allowing fluid to escape from the bloodstream into tissues and cause swelling. Lung function worsens because blood vessels in the lungs leak fluid, which accumulates, making breathing difficult. As the microscopic blood clots continue to form, they use up the proteins in blood that make up clots (clotting factors). Then, excessive bleeding ( Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) ) may occur. 