Cytopathic hypoxia - Mitochondrial dysfunction as mechanism contributing to organ dysfunction in sepsis

The most common cause of death among critically ill patients with sepsis is multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The pathophysiological basis for organ dysfunction in sepsis remains poorly understood. One important factor, however, may be alterations in energy metabolism caused by intrinsic derangements in the metabolic machinery of cells. This phenomenon has been termed cytopathic hypoxia.