Physiologic stability and physiologic state

Timothy G. Buchman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several disease states (e.g., disseminated inflammation) demonstrate physiologic stability: they resolve only slowly and are resistant to both specific and symptomatic therapies. The existence of multiple stable physiologic states, including both health and disease states, is not anticipated by classical, linear descriptions of physiologic control mechanisms. Multiple stable states are, however, predicted by a simple nonlinear model in which the resistance to perturbation derives from interconnections among the model's elements. If the stability of selected disease states derives from nonlinear interactions among cells, tissues, and organs, then some therapies aimed at supporting or normalizing performance of specific organs may be misdirected.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)599-605
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1996
Externally publishedYes

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