Sepsis and the Role of Activated Protein C

Sepsis causes inflammation, increased coagulation, and decreased fibrinolysis and decreases the amount of activated C protein in the body. This article discusses the pathogenesis of sepsis, explains the role of activated protein C in sepsis, and describes a new treatment option.

The term sepsis is derived from the Greek word sepien meaning “to make rotten.”¹ In 2001, 1.3% of all deaths in the United States were attributed to sepsis, and sepsis was the 10th leading cause of death.² According to preliminary data for 2003, septicemia remains the 10th leading cause of death.³ The estimated annual costs of treating sepsis are approximately $17 billion, and sepsis affects more than 700000 patients in the United States each year.⁴ 

The most common sources of infection leading to sepsis include pulmonary and urinary sites, wounds, and invasive catheters.⁵ In a recent study⁶ of the epidemiology of sepsis in...