Abstract

Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2003, vol.22, n.4, pp. 237-244. ISSN 1561-3011.

The semiquantitative scoring system of the multiple organ failure(MOF) in autopsies of adults was applied. A randomized prospective longitudinal study was performed. The sample was taken from the total number of autopsies made from July to December,2001, but excluding fetuses, children and autopsies that did not have the established fragments. The processing was carried out by the standard methods and the modified MOF criteria according to the experience gained in experimental study was: causal factor, lesions in three or more organs and immune system reactivity. Pursuant to the criteria, MOF reached 46,55% of autopsies. Causes of death were related to causal factors or complications. MOF disturbances present in the studied cases show a high frequency of such disturbances and the moderate MOF was the most common. The usefulness of the diagnostic criteria of MOF, the need of applying the scoring system of MOF and of performing quality autopsies was demonstrated. The validation of this semiquantitative scoring system of MOF was recommended.

Keywords : MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE; AUTOPSY; CAUSE OF DEATH; QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS.

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