Sepsis-3, a New Definition. Solutions or New Problems?

Before we can discuss the "Sepsis-3" definitions, we need to look back at the history of Sepsis definitions, and what the rationale was leading the authors to create a new definition. Below is a brief, albeit non-exhaustive,... read more

Sepsis-3, a New Definition. Solutions or New Problems?

Unexplained Mortality Differences Between Septic Shock Trials

Although the definition of septic shock has been standardized, some variation in mortality rates among clinical trials is expected. Insights into the sources of heterogeneity may influence the design and interpretation of... read more

Unexplained Mortality Differences Between Septic Shock Trials

On Diagnosing Sepsis

Two years ago, a panel appointed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, referred to as a consensus conference, proposed a new definition for sepsis and new diagnostic... read more

On Diagnosing Sepsis

R.E.B.E.L. EM – Fluid Responsiveness and the Six Guiding Principles of Fluid Resuscitation

Fluid resuscitation is a crucial aspect of emergency and critical care. Since the advent of the concept of early goal-directed therapy, we have placed a huge emphasis on aggressive fluid resuscitation in patients with severe... read more

R.E.B.E.L. EM – Fluid Responsiveness and the Six Guiding Principles of Fluid Resuscitation

Polymyxin B‑immobilised Hemoperfusion and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis/Septic Shock

Sepsis and septic shock originate from a dysregulated immune response to pathogens and cause millions of deaths worldwide. Endotoxin, a principal component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is a potent trigger... read more

Polymyxin B‑immobilised Hemoperfusion and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis/Septic Shock

Pharmacokinetics of meropenem in septic patients on sustained low-efficiency dialysis

The aim of the study was to describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem in critically ill patients receiving sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED). We found a relevant PK variability for meropenem in patients... read more

Pharmacokinetics of meropenem in septic patients on sustained low-efficiency dialysis

Predictors, Prevalence, and Outcomes of Early Crystalloid Responsiveness Among Initially Hypotensive Patients With Sepsis and Septic Shock

Two in three hypotensive sepsis patients were responsive to initial fluid resuscitation. Heart failure, hypothermia, immunocompromise, hyperlactemia, and coagulopathy were associated with the refractory phenotype. Fluid resuscitation... read more

Predictors, Prevalence, and Outcomes of Early Crystalloid Responsiveness Among Initially Hypotensive Patients With Sepsis and Septic Shock

Managing Sepsis and Septic Shock Current Guidelines and Definitions

While sepsis defies simple definition, it's generally understood to be a clinical syndrome caused by infection that may have profound adverse physiologic consequences. Although its precise incidence is unknown, sepsis is... read more

Managing Sepsis and Septic Shock Current Guidelines and Definitions

The ADRENAL Trial: Steroids in Septic Shock

Randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive corticosteroids in septic shock have shown conflicting evidence of clinical relevance. Two trials in particular looked at lower dose hydrocortisone (200mg/day)... read more

The ADRENAL Trial: Steroids in Septic Shock

Importance of Second Antibiotic Doses in ED Sepsis Patients

Most studies evaluating early antibiotic administration in sepsis patients focus on timing of the first dose. We highlight many of these studies in our recent review article on Appropriate Antibiotic Therapy in Emergency... read more

Importance of Second Antibiotic Doses in ED Sepsis Patients

Pooled analysis of higher versus lower blood pressure targets for vasopressor therapy septic and vasodilatory shock

Targeting higher blood pressure targets may increase mortality in patients who have been treated with vasopressors for more than 6 h. Lower blood pressure targets were not associated with patient‑important adverse events... read more

Pooled analysis of higher versus lower blood pressure targets for vasopressor therapy septic and vasodilatory shock

Adjunctive Glucocorticoid Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock

Among patients with septic shock undergoing mechanical ventilation, a continuous infusion of hydrocortisone did not result in lower 90-day mortality than placebo. We randomly assigned patients with septic shock who were undergoing... read more

Adjunctive Glucocorticoid Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock

Should We Manage All Septic Patients Based on a Single Definition?

It is indisputable from the biological and clinical perspectives that not all cases of sepsis are the same. On the contrary, most have great many differences, that is, different portals of entry, clinical manifestations,... read more

Should We Manage All Septic Patients Based on a Single Definition?

Hypothermia in Sepsis – The CASS Trial

Sepsis and especially septic shock (no matter what definition you use) is a recipe for multi-organ dysfunction and poor prognosis. In the past few years, we saw a lot of failed attempts trying to find something that could... read more

Hypothermia in Sepsis – The CASS Trial

I survived sepsis eight times. But can care workers spot this deadly illness?

Care staff are increasingly likely to see sepsis, but there is no standard training to make them aware of the symptoms to look out for in clients. There is a golden hour for the treatment of sepsis, when someone can be saved... read more

I survived sepsis eight times. But can care workers spot this deadly illness?

Sepsis Early Warning Score Adopted in UK

Every NHS hospital trust in England will be asked to adopt a new clinical system for assessing acutely ill patients. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS), developed by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in 2012, has... read more

Sepsis Early Warning Score Adopted in UK

Initial Crystalloid Resuscitation in Sepsis and Septic Shock

Ludwig Lin, MD, speaks with Daniel E. Leisman, BS, about the article, "Patterns and Outcomes Associated With Timeliness of Initial Crystalloid Resuscitation in a Prospective Sepsis and Septic Shock Cohort," published in Critical... read more

Delay Within the 3-Hour Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guideline on Mortality for Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

The guideline recommendations showed that shorter delays indicates better outcomes. There was no evidence that 3 hours is safe; even very short delays adversely impact outcomes. Findings demonstrated a new approach to incorporate... read more

Delay Within the 3-Hour Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guideline on Mortality for Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock