Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
MODS is a severe illness in which someone can die if the dysfunction is not treated immediately. Due to a high risk of death, people with MODS are typically cared for in anintensive care unitwhere healthcare providers can potentially reverse the organ damage.
This article discusses multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, including its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
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Any significant illness, injury, or infection can result in MODS. While the exact mechanisms that lead to MODS are not well understood, experts think widespreadinflammationand decreased blood flow work together to cause organ damage.
People suffer multiple “hits” during a severe illness. The first is the inciting event, such as a major motor vehicle accident ormassive heart attack. The second is when theimmune systemoverreacts to fix the problem. Finally, a third hit can occur if a person needs major surgery or develops an infection after the initial insult.
Specific disorders are more likely to lead to this dangerous cascade of events and eventual organ dysfunction. Examples of these severe illnesses include:
These conditions lead to significant changes within the immune and hematologic systems that affect other organs.
MODS is not only due to the initial hit itself but also results from a cascade of events involving many or all organ systems. People experience decreased blood flow and oxygen, leading to damage.
An overwhelming immune response that leads tofree radicalgeneration is also involved.Free radicals are reactive molecules generated in the body and can alter fats, proteins, and DNA to trigger disease.
Other individual factors that affect the development of MODS include:
People without other health problems often survive MODS.
Risk of Death From MODSDuring a severe illness, if a person has two failing organ systems, their likelihood of dying can be 20% to 50%. If a person has dysfunction of four organ systems, their likelihood of death can be 60% to 100%.
Risk of Death From MODS
During a severe illness, if a person has two failing organ systems, their likelihood of dying can be 20% to 50%. If a person has dysfunction of four organ systems, their likelihood of death can be 60% to 100%.
There are several different scoring systems used to determine the severity of MODS.To create a severity score, each organ system is evaluated and used to predict a person’s likelihood of recovery vs. death. Healthcare providers monitor an organ system through a person’s symptoms and laboratory testing.
Respiratory (Lungs)
People with MODS can develop difficulty breathing due tolungdamage. Often people need to be placed on aventilatorto help them breathe.
However, although mechanical ventilation helps treat lung problems, it can sometimes cause lung injury, worsening the overall disease process.As lung dysfunction continues, the lungs fill up with fluid and start to develop scar tissue.
The worst type of lung injury found in people with MODS isacute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Once ARDS sets in, peoplehave difficulty maintaining oxygen in the blood and have a higher risk of dying.
Cardiovascular (Heart)
The widespread inflammation associated with MODS dilates the blood vessels, slowing blood flow to tissues. This process becomes evident when a person haslow blood pressurewith a severe illness or injury. The vessels also become leaky, allowing fluid to collect in the tissues and skin, known asedema.
In this scenario, the heart will not function appropriately to continue to push blood to the rest of the organ systems and body.This can be considered a “silent heart attack,” which compounds the overall problem and leads to the failure of other organ systems.
Higher Risk of Death With Cardiac DysfunctionUnfortunately, people with MODS who develop cardiac dysfunction often have a higher likelihood of dying.
Higher Risk of Death With Cardiac Dysfunction
Unfortunately, people with MODS who develop cardiac dysfunction often have a higher likelihood of dying.
Renal (Kidneys)
The renal system includes thekidneys, which help excrete toxins and fluids from the body.
Decreased blood flow can lead to kidney dysfunction. In addition, people may needdialysisto get rid of toxins and extra fluid.
The primary sign of renal dysfunction is decreased urine output.
Hepatic (Liver)
Theliver’s function is to get rid of toxins. It makes specific proteins necessary for other organ systems to function correctly.
People with MODS and decreased blood flow can developliver failure. People may look yellow from hepatic dysfunction. Liver failure can lead to further imbalance inside the body.
Hematologic (Blood)
MODS is associated with a complex cascade of events that disrupt the balance of specific proteins and slow blood flow. This imbalance can simultaneously lead to bleeding andclotting.
Parts of the body are affected differently depending on the severity of MODS, the presence of previous illnesses, and the person’s genetics. The person can develop bruising and color changes to the skin. They might start bleeding inside the stomach.
The most severe problem of hematologic system failure isdisseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC).The syndrome becomes evident when people spontaneously bleed around catheter sites (the tubes placed for a person’s resuscitation).
People with DIC have a poor prognosis. Only about half of people with DIC survive.
Neurologic (Brain)
Widespread inflammation and problems with the hematologic system lead to decreased blood flow to the brain. This, in conjunction with blood clotting, can lead to brain damage, which may cause people with MODS to have a reduced level of consciousness or be confused.
These changes can also cause various other problems, includingstroke-like symptoms.
MODS treatment is multifactorial and depends on the inciting event and type of organ damage.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) involves a machine that functions as an artificial lung.It is increasingly used as a treatment to rest the lungs and heart.
A molecular absorbent recirculating system (MARS) can support the liver.
There is no particular medication that helps to prevent MODS. Researchers have investigated ways to treat early MODS to prevent worsening illness, but interventions can be controversial.
Summary
Multiple organ system dysfunction (MODS) is a severe illness defined as dysfunction of at least two organ systems. MODS can affect any organ, but the primary players are the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain, and blood.
There are many causes of MODS, but the general categories include major trauma, severe illness, and widespread infection. Treatment is multifaceted but centers around treating the initial insult and working to prevent severe injury to other organ systems.
A Word From Verywell
Hearing that you or a loved one is experiencing a significant emergency like MODS can be terrifying. Be assured that hospitals and healthcare providers are prepared and trained for emergency events like MODS to occur. They are very capable of preventing further trauma after an initial incident.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asim M, Amin F, El-Menyar A.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: contemporary insights on the clinicopathological spectrum.Qatar Med J. 2020;2020(1):22. doi:10.5339/qmj.2020.22Carcillo JA, Podd B, Aneja R, et al.Pathophysiology of pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017;18(3_suppl Suppl 1):S32-S45. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000001052Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N.Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: impact on human health.Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902Marshall JC.The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, eds.Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented.Sepsis Alliance.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Husain-Syed F, Ricci Z, Brodie D, et al.Extracorporeal organ support (ECOS) in critical illness and acute kidney injury: from native to artificial organ crosstalk.Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(9):1447-1459. doi:10.1007/s00134-018-5329-z
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asim M, Amin F, El-Menyar A.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: contemporary insights on the clinicopathological spectrum.Qatar Med J. 2020;2020(1):22. doi:10.5339/qmj.2020.22Carcillo JA, Podd B, Aneja R, et al.Pathophysiology of pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017;18(3_suppl Suppl 1):S32-S45. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000001052Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N.Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: impact on human health.Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902Marshall JC.The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, eds.Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented.Sepsis Alliance.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Husain-Syed F, Ricci Z, Brodie D, et al.Extracorporeal organ support (ECOS) in critical illness and acute kidney injury: from native to artificial organ crosstalk.Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(9):1447-1459. doi:10.1007/s00134-018-5329-z
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Asim M, Amin F, El-Menyar A.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: contemporary insights on the clinicopathological spectrum.Qatar Med J. 2020;2020(1):22. doi:10.5339/qmj.2020.22Carcillo JA, Podd B, Aneja R, et al.Pathophysiology of pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017;18(3_suppl Suppl 1):S32-S45. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000001052Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N.Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: impact on human health.Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902Marshall JC.The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, eds.Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented.Sepsis Alliance.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Husain-Syed F, Ricci Z, Brodie D, et al.Extracorporeal organ support (ECOS) in critical illness and acute kidney injury: from native to artificial organ crosstalk.Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(9):1447-1459. doi:10.1007/s00134-018-5329-z
Asim M, Amin F, El-Menyar A.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: contemporary insights on the clinicopathological spectrum.Qatar Med J. 2020;2020(1):22. doi:10.5339/qmj.2020.22
Carcillo JA, Podd B, Aneja R, et al.Pathophysiology of pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017;18(3_suppl Suppl 1):S32-S45. doi:10.1097/PCC.0000000000001052
Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N.Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: impact on human health.Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.70902
Marshall JC.The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In: Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA, eds.Surgical Treatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented.
Sepsis Alliance.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Husain-Syed F, Ricci Z, Brodie D, et al.Extracorporeal organ support (ECOS) in critical illness and acute kidney injury: from native to artificial organ crosstalk.Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(9):1447-1459. doi:10.1007/s00134-018-5329-z
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