[Sepsis. I. [Definition of the concept and comments on pathophysiology]

During the past five years a marked development occurred as regards knowledge on sepsis and its complications. A new term was introduced-SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome). Two substantial changes pertain to the following facts. First the clinical picture of sepsis need not be due only to infection, and the patient is not an innocent victim of infection, but the organ damage is the results of the patient's active fight with the inducing cause. The authors review recent views regarding the pathophysiology of sepsis.