The Stressed Lung in Severe Non‐Thoracic Sepsis

Abstract

The concept that respiratory failure with its attendant arterial hypoxmnia and iiacreased pulmonary vascular resistance is the principal cause o f death in patients with severe extrathoracic sepsis is supported. I t is postulated that this is a direct result of circulating toxins f r o m the infected area acting on the pulmonary vasculature. T h e principles in management are oidtlined the inefficient run-off through arteriovenous shunting within the inflamed region and elsewhere. Hypoxzmia undoubtedly contributes to this