Ailing former dictator Suharto has developed sepsis, a potentially deadly blood infection, and the 86-year-old's heart became unstable Tuesday, his medical team said.Sepsis, characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state caused by infection, can progress to blood circulatory dysfunction and eventually death. It is considered especially dangerous for the elderly or patients in critical condition and can lead to septic shock, which has a fatality rate of more than 60 percent.
The development, announced by Dr. Joko Raharjo at the Pertamina Hospital in the Indonesian capital, signaled another grave turn for Suharto, who has already suffered multiple organ failure.
Doctors responded by maximizing intensive care and administering intravenous anti-infection drugs, said another doctor, Marjo Subiandono.
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