Concept of PIRO as a new conceptual framework to understand sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

To define and introduce the PIRO model for categorizing sepsis in infants and children.

DESIGN

A summary of the literature published during the 5 yrs since this concept has been formulated, along with a consensus opinion of experts in the field of sepsis and septic shock.

RESULTS

The imprecision and intrinsic heterogeneity of the patient population defined as septic has prompted the introduction of a new sepsis classification system known as PIRO. PIRO stands for predisposition, infection, response, and organ dysfunction. It is hoped that by defining the septic process through a detailed analysis of each of its component parts, the development of sepsis will be better understood. This may contribute to improved therapeutic interventions for sepsis in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

The PIRO model is a conceptual framework for understanding sepsis that has many favorable attributes. The PIRO model should be directly tested in both the research laboratory and in clinical trial designs to determine the practical value and clinical relevance of this new classification scheme for sepsis.