SUMMARY
MODS, a new but relatively common syndrome, is a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality in ICU's. Multiple precipitating factors, probably through a common final pathway,
result in simultaneous organ failure in several organs, most commonly the lungs,
kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Treatment goals primarily include preventive
and supportive care. New therapies, including nutrition immunotherapy and antibodies to
a number of endogenous mediators, hold great promise and are currently under investigation.