Blood clots as a result of sepsis
If diagnosis is delayed, sepsis can be fatal. It is thought that more than 40,000 people die of it in the UK each year. Blood clots as a result of sepsis can add to the threat of the condition.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is an extreme response by the body to an infection, causing the body's organs to cease to function effectively. It is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 30 people per 100 who develop the illness. Where the patient is suffering from septic shock, functioning of the organ systems is significantly affected and the risk of death from the illness is greater.
What are the possible complications of sepsis?
Sepsis can be caused by a wide range of infections and conditions such as abdominal problems, chest infections, pressure sores, urinary infections, or as a result of surgery. Developing an infection, however, does not automatically mean that a patient will develop sepsis.
Normally, the body's immune system will deal with the infection locally either on its own or with the support of antibiotics. Where a person's immune system is weakened or under pressure, however, the body may over-react to an infection, causing inflammation throughout the body. This reaction can lead to:
- reduced blood flow
- blood clots
- lowered blood pressure
- lack of oxygen reaching the body's organs such as the heart, brain, lungs and kidneys
- organ failure
Why does sepsis cause blood clots?
Sepsis causes a dysfunctional reaction within the circulatory and immune system, which can cause blood clots to form in the blood vessels in the arms and legs, as well as in the organs, reducing blood flow and leading to reduced oxygen flow.
Why are blood clots a problem?
A blood clot in a blood vessel will reduce the efficiency of that blood vessel and this will increase the likelihood of damage to the body's tissue and organs. Lack of oxygen reaching the organs through the bloodstream can cause the death of tissue and, ultimately, lack of organ function.
If a blood clot travels through the circulatory system to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, depriving the body of oxygen and causing death.
Emergency treatment of sepsis
Sepsis requires emergency diagnosis and treatment due to its life-threatening status.
Where the signs of sepsis are present – such as breathlessness, shivering, lack of urine – alongside typical flu-like infection symptoms, a screening or investigation for the possibility of sepsis needs to take place urgently.
Recent new guidelines have recommended treatment with intravenous antibiotics within an hour of diagnosis in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Medical Negligence
Where sepsis symptoms are present, especially in the presence of a known infection, and investigations to confirm diagnosis are not carried out promptly, the results can be catastrophic. Even where patients survive, some have been known to require hospitalisation and intensive care for months to try to overcome the illness.
If you or a loved one have suffered the appalling effects of sepsis which you believe could have been avoided with more efficient medical care, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Contact us at Glynns Solicitors to discuss what happened to you. We are a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors with experience of supporting claims for poorly treated sepsis.
Call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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