Canadian researchers have revealed the potential of a non-invasive imaging strategy to detect sepsis in its early stages, offering hope for addressing a condition that claims millions of lives globally each year.
Sepsis, a dysregulated response to infection, can lead to life-threatening organ failure if not treated promptly. Despite its severity, clinicians often lack reliable methods for early detection, making timely intervention difficult.
Researchers from Western University in Ontario, Canada, demonstrated that imaging tests assessing blood flow through skeletal muscle could provide an early indicator of sepsis, even before vital organs like the brain are affected. Their findings were published in The FASEB Journal.
“The study suggests that while the brain is partly protected in early sepsis, the skeletal muscle could be an early target for detecting changes in microhemodynamics,” the team explained.
Sepsis is currently managed by early administration of antibiotics and vasopressors to combat infection and systemic hypotension. However, there is a global need for accessible, non-invasive, and affordable technology to recognize the onset of sepsis and guide timely intervention.
The study utilized two imaging techniques, hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy, which are already employed at the bedside to monitor tissue conditions. Preliminary experiments in rodents showed that these methods could detect changes in skeletal muscle microcirculation before the brain and other vital organs showed signs of damage.
“Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in low-resource settings,” said Rasa Eskandari, a doctoral candidate at Western University and co-corresponding author. “Early recognition can significantly improve outcomes and save lives, and our team is committed to developing accessible technologies for timely sepsis detection.”
The researchers now plan to test the imaging techniques in patients in intensive care, exploring their ability to monitor microcirculatory function and improve sepsis outcomes.
(Inputs from IANS)
