In the surgical ICU, LBP moderately discriminated patients without infection from patients with severe sepsis but not from patients with sepsis without organ dysfunction. LBP concentrations did not distinguish between gram-positive and gram-negative infections. The correlation of LBP concentrations with disease severity and outcome is weak compared with other markers and its use as a biomarker is not warranted in this patient population.

No abstract

MOF is the main cause of death after surgery in high-risk patients. Awareness of the risk factors for death due to MOF may be important in risk stratification and can suggest routes for therapy.

No abstract