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Christian Willy1, Edmund A.M. Neugebauer2, Heinz Gerngroß1 |
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Background: Nonlinear systems are found everywhere throughout the natural world. In these systems there exists no proportionality and no simple causality between the magnitude of responses and the strength of their stimuli: small changes can have striking and unanticipated effects, whereas great stimuli will not always lead to drastic changes in a system?s behavior. Over the past few years, several groups have been interested in pursuing the relevance of nonlinear concepts to medicine. Although the initial focus was on cardiovascular and neurophysiologic dynamics, it soon became clear that the models they were using had more general applications in biology and medicine. In the field of traumatology, up to now the nonlinear dynamics of the innumerable reactions and feedback loops at many structural levels of the traumatized patient have not been analyzed.
Method: For a better understanding of the concept of nonlinearity and its possible implications in the field of traumatology, three examples at the molecular, the cellular and the organic levels are presented.
Results and Conclusions: Nonlinear behavior in principle is the rule in highly complex reactions. This nonlinearity exists also in traumatologically relevant systems. The theories of nonlinear dynamics offer new mathematical tools to quantify, model, predict or modulate the behavior of biological systems. It should be demonstrated that the traditional Newtonian linear approach and the new nonlinear approach are essential dual aspects of any system, both being essential for a better understanding of the pathophysiologic reactions in complex situations like trauma, shock, and sepsis. |
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