The Role of the Endothelium in Severe Sepsis and Multiple Organ Dysfunction

Sepsis is the leading cause of death among hospitalized patients in non-coronary intensive care units. An important goal is to develop improved therapeutic strategies that will impact favorably on patient outcome. Recent studies have pointed to a critical role for the endothelium in orchestrating the host response in severe sepsis. In this chapter, a conceptual framework for understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis is provided and the potential value of the endothelium as a target for sepsis therapy is emphasized.