If a patient develops sepsis following a surgical procedure, which mechanism explains why widespread inflammation can paradoxically lead to organ hypoperfusion and failure?

💡 Explanation

Sepsis-induced organ failure results from systemic vasodilation and capillary leakage, causing hypoperfusion because the inflammation mediated by cytokines triggers nitric oxide production. This leads to widespread vasodilation, reducing blood pressure and increasing capillary permeability, therefore decreasing effective circulating volume and oxygen delivery rather than enhanced oxygenation.

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