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SIRS


Table 1: SIRS[Ame92] is defined as the presence of two or more of the variables below
Variable Abnormality
Temperature $>$ 38 \ensuremath{^\circ}C

or $<$ 36 \ensuremath{^\circ}C
Heart rate $>$ 90 beats per minute
Respiratory rate $>$ 20 breaths per minute

or PaCO \ensuremath{_2} $<$ 32 mmHg ($<$ 4.3 kPa)
White cell count $> 12 \times 10^9$

or $< 4 \times 10^9$

or $> 10\%$ immature (band) cells

\scalebox{0.2}{\includegraphics{evidence}}The definition of SIRS has varied and most accepted definition is that given by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)/ Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)[Ame92], outlined in table 1. In simple terms SIRS is defined as a syndrome characterised by the presence of two or more variables. This definition is fairly wide and all encompassing, indeed any sick surgical patient almost automatically has SIRS.


Adrian P. Ireland