New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Researchers from Canada have disclosed the effectiveness of a non-invasive approach for the early identification of sepsis in a study published on Wednesday.
Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated response to infection, which can lead to severe organ failures if not treated promptly. Clinicians often face challenges in identifying this critical condition early, which results in millions of fatalities worldwide each year.
The research team from Western University in Ontario demonstrated that non-invasive imaging tests capable of evaluating blood circulation in skeletal muscles may facilitate earlier detection.
According to the findings published in The FASEB Journal, “The study indicates that although the brain has some degree of protection during the initial phase of sepsis, skeletal muscle may serve as an early indicator for changes in microhemodynamics.”
Currently, the management of sepsis involves the prompt administration of antibiotics and vasopressors, which are essential for controlling the infection and addressing systemic hypotension (low blood pressure), thus enhancing survival rates. However, the existing tools for early recognition of sepsis are not sensitive enough to aid in timely diagnosis and patient triage.
Consequently, there is a pressing global demand for accessible technologies that are non-invasive and can be employed at the point-of-care to facilitate the early identification and intervention of sepsis, the research team emphasized.
In their study, the researchers employed imaging techniques such as hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy, which are typically used at bedside to monitor tissue health.
The team conducted experiments on rodents to evaluate the effectiveness of these imaging methods.
These imaging techniques successfully identified indications of sepsis in the microcirculation of skeletal muscles, often before vital organs like the brain showed any signs of being affected.
“Sepsis is a predominant cause of mortality globally, particularly impacting vulnerable groups and those in low-resource settings,” stated Rasa Eskandari, a co-corresponding author and doctoral candidate at Western University.
“Given that early detection can greatly enhance outcomes and preserve lives, our team is dedicated to creating accessible technologies for the early detection of sepsis, guiding timely interventions,” Eskandari further noted.
The researchers plan to evaluate the combined technique's capability to monitor microcirculatory function in intensive care patients in future studies.
