diagnosis and trEatmEnt of patiEnts in sEptiC shoCK

• Main Author: Jacek wadełek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Borgis 2017-03-01
• Series: New Medicine
• Subjects: infection; sepsis; septic shock; diagnosis; treatment; intensive care unit
• Online Access: http://newmedicine.publisherspanel.com/gicid/01.3001.0009.7846

sepsis and septic shock are a clinical emergency. sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection, and organ dysfunction is defined as an acute change in sequential organ failure assessment (sofa) score greater than 2 points secondary to an infectious cause. septic shock is defined as sepsis with persisting hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 65 mm hg or higher, and blood lactate level greater than 2 mmol/l (18 mg/dl) despite adequate volume resuscitation. the diagnosis of septic shock begins with medical history and physical examination focused on the signs and symptoms of infection, with the aim of recognizing complex physiologic manifestations of shock. Clinicians should understand the importance of prompt administration of antibiotics, vasopressors and intravenous fluids aimed at restoring adequate circulation. they should also be aware of the limitations of the protocol-based therapy.