[Non-infectious systemic inflammation - a real clinical syndrome].

The review is concerned with the definitions of both systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in general and its aseptic forms. Despite problems with terminology and the nonspecific 1991 diagnostic criteria, it may be said that non-infectious systemic inflammation is a real existing clinical entity relatively frequently seen in intensive care. In the second part, pathophysiological mechanisms leading to non-infectious SIRS are discussed. Finally, therapeutic options are mentioned, with special attention being paid to the fact that it is difficult to distinguish aseptic inflammation from sepsis in clinical practice, which results in problems related to antibiotic therapy.