Diagnosis
Depending on which organs are affected, there are different signs that confirm the diagnosis of multiorgan failure. It is important that at least two organs fail simultaneously or shortly after each other. Since multiorgan failure is usually the result of a serious illness or a serious accident that makes it necessary to admit the patient to an intensive care unit, the diagnosis is often made there as well. Here, special technology and trained personnel can often quickly detect and treat the loss of function of an organ.
Associated symptoms
The therapy of multi-organ failure depends on which organs are affected and can therefore vary considerably. In the case of an accident with polytrauma, which can result in the failure of organ functions, the organs must be supported in their function. In an intensive care unit, this can be done by machines.
In the case of severe damage, the organ function may have to be completely taken over by machines, an example being the heart–lung machine. As the name suggests, it replaces the pumping function of the heart and the lung function. Sepsis must be treated with antibiotics, since bacteria are the trigger.
Since the therapy must be started as soon as possible to minimize further damage, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is used at the beginning. This covers a broad spectrum of bacteria with its effect. For a targeted therapy, the focus of the inflammation and the exact pathogen must then be identified through examinations.
In some cases, the patient is put into an artificial coma. This is done to minimize stress for the body and the brain. In this state, less oxygen is consumed, which is very important for brain function.
History
The most common causes of multi-organ failure are blood poisoning (sepsis) or an accident with polytrauma, i.e. several injured body regions or organs. In the course of the disease, shock symptoms often occur, i.e. a high heart rate (pulse) and low blood pressure. This leads to a breakdown of the circulation. In the case of multiorgan failure, it is important for doctors to act quickly and to start therapy as soon as possible. It represents a serious emergency situation for the body and is often fatal despite optimal treatment.
