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Pneumonia as a Multisystemic Disease
Paula González-Jiménez1, Noé Mengot2, Rosario Menéndez3
1Pneumology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia 46026, Spain; Respiratory Infections Department, Health Research Institute La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia 46026, Spain; Medicine Department, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain.
Abstract:
Pneumonia is an acute infection involving the lung. However, its consequences may appear in the short-term and the long-term. These consequences are not only related to respiratory complications but also to other organs and systems, the main one being cardiovascular. Indeed, pneumonia should be considered as a multisystemic disease. The epidemiology of systemic complications is highly diverse and depends on associated risk factors. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms include systemic inflammation, immunothrombosis, endothelial damage, and direct organ damage, among others.
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