In this study, administration of high-dose ascorbic acid significantly decreased the requirement for vasopressor’s dose and duration in surgical critically ill patients with septic shock. Several mechanisms including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitory, reversing vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasopressors, increasing catecholamines and cortisol synthesis in adrenal medulla, and improving vascular endothelium integrity properties may justified the role of ascorbic acid in septic shock. High-dose ascorbic acid may be considered as an effective and safe adjuvant therapy in surgical critically ill patients with septic shock. The most effective dose of ascorbic acid and the best time for its administration should be determined in future studies.

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