Family reveals cause of death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch’s family said medical tests confirmed severe pneumonia, which progressed to sepsis and ultimately led to his death.
Kyle Busch died on May 21 at the age of 41 from pneumonia that progressed to sepsis, according to a statement released by the NASCAR legend’s family on Saturday, May 23.
The statement added that the progression resulted in “rapid and overwhelming associated complications” for the two-time Cup Series champion.
Here’s what you need to know about the condition.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system responds inappropriately to infection, damaging healthy tissues and organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.
“Without emergency treatment, the disease develops rapidly and can lead to organ failure and death,” the Cleveland Clinic added. Dr. James Morrison, chair of the clinic’s Corporate Sepsis Steering Committee, previously told USA TODAY that sepsis is the “leading cause of in-hospital mortality.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis affects at least 1.7 million adults each year in the United States alone and causes about 350,000 deaths.
What causes sepsis?
Sepsis develops when an infection triggers a harmful immune response. “Bacterial infections are one of the most common underlying causes,” said Morrison, who is also a critical care and emergency medicine physician, “but fungal, viral and parasitic infections can also cause sepsis.”
These infections can originate anywhere in the body, but most often occur in the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal system, he added. It can begin with a seemingly harmless illness, such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, or even a deep cut.
Sepsis treatment options
Parvesh Khatri, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY that due to its severity, “sepsis needs to be treated as soon as possible.” The goals of treatment are to control the infection, stabilize the patient’s condition, and support the affected or failing organs.
To accomplish this, “treatment typically includes supportive care to manage symptoms, antibiotics to combat the underlying infection, and medications such as intravenous fluids and vasopressors to restore blood pressure,” Morrison explained. “In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the source of infection.”
Early evaluation and treatment is important because sepsis progresses rapidly and prompt recognition and intervention can mean the difference between life and death. “Every hour that treatment is delayed increases the risk of death,” Khatri warned.
