Sepsis is a leading cause of death in American hospitals, claiming more than 350,000 adult lives and 1,800 children every year. But a Kansas City doctor may have found a way to change that. Dr. Cuthbert Simpkins, founder of Vivacell Bio Inc., developed a treatment called VBI-S that absorbs excess nitric oxide, a substance the body overproduces during sepsis and which causes dangerous drops in blood pressure. In clinical trials, the expected 80% mortality rate dropped to 50%, and Simpkins says the treatment acts quickly.
The product is now awaiting FDA approval and could be available in hospitals as soon as 2027. Sepsis survivor Brie Morgan Bauer, a mother who lost all four limbs to the condition, calls the development promising and wishes it had been available sooner. Dr. Steven Simpson, board chairman of the Sepsis Alliance, says the results are encouraging but cautions that more patients need to be treated before the medical community can fully celebrate.
For families here on the Suncoast, where many of us care for aging loved ones or manage our own health conditions, knowing the signs of sepsis is critical. Confusion, rapid heart rate, fever, and mottled skin can all signal trouble. If you suspect sepsis, get medical help immediately. Have you or a family member ever been affected by sepsis? Share your story in the comments.
