Sunday May 11, 2008
Revisiting basic

Q: According to landmark expert panel conference of 1991/1992, under the auspices of the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, what is the widely accepted definition of SIRS (Systemic inflammatory response syndrome) ?



A: SIRS is defined as 2 or more of the following variables:

1. Fever of more than 38°C ( 100.4°F) or less than 36°C ( 96.8°F)
2. Heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute
3. Respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths per minute or a PaCO2 level of less than 32 mm Hg
4. Abnormal white blood cell count (>12,000/µL or <4,000/µl>>10% bands)
   

Editors' note: Objective of above question is to remind the hypocarbia and bandemia part, which are often forgotten. This question is posted here with understanding that there are lot of controversaries surround this defination of SIRS but fortunately or unfortunately, still this is the most accepted criteria in clincal fields.




Reference:

Bone RC, Balk RA, Cerra FB, et al. Definitions for sepsis and organ failure and guidelines for the use of innovative therapies in sepsis. Chest. 1992;101:1656-1662