ABSTRACT
Definition • T h e m ultip le organ dysfunction syndrom e is characterized by w idespread sys
tem ic organ dysfunction o f variable severity after injury, infection , o r o th er m ajo r physiologic insult. It is now recognized th a t the syndrom e is a dynam ic c o n tin u o u s process th a t usually begins w ith a system ic hyperin flam m ato ry process w hich m ay progress o r resolve b u t is follow ed by a h y p o im m u n e response w hich m ay resolve o r progress over a variable leng th o f tim e.
