What is septic shock?

What is septic shock?

Septic shock is the final, most severe form of sepsis and also the most difficult to treat. Patients in septic shock are often called the “sickest patients in the hospital,” as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals work to save them from long-lasting complications or death.

What is the prognosis of sepsis and septic shock?

Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of mortality among hospitalized patients. The sepsis state is due to dysregulated host response to infection, leading to inflammatory damage to nearly every organ system.

What is the pathophysiology of sepsis and septic shock?

In sepsis and septic shock, the normal anticoagulative state within the vasculature is disrupted. Sepsis results in a hypercoagulable state that is characterized by microvascular thrombi, fibrin deposition, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and endothelial injury.

What are the treatment options for sepsis/septic shock?

Once sepsis is identified, early and aggressive appropriate management is a priority — the timing of which is crucial. Treatment is based on three components: infection control, haemodynamic stabilization and modulation of the septic response.