Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the simultaneous or sequential failure of two or more organs, which cannot maintain internal environmental stability without intervention. It results from a severe, uncontrolled, self-destructive systemic inflammatory response triggered by severe injuries such as infection, trauma, major surgery, or poisoning. This response leads to excessive cytokine production, microcirculatory disturbances, bacterial and endotoxin translocation from the gut, and excessive complement activation. Key symptoms include progressive dyspnea, cyanosis, edema, oliguria, anuria, and shock.