Levels of endothelial and platelet microparticles and their interactions with leukocytes negatively correlate with organ dysfunction and predict mortality in severe sepsis.

Objective: Mortality in sepsis is believed to be associated with exaggerated inflammatory responses, but recent evidence suggests that poor outcome is associated with reduced inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we measured several inflammatory markers to determine whether any of them or any combinations are associated with mortality or organ dysfunction.

Design: Clinical study.