Septic Shock

Jan Bakker*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

The body’s response to infection consists of the release of various cytokines and mediators inducing a state of vasoplegia clinically characterized by hypotension, increased heart rate, and decreased cardiac output. The hyperdynamic low-pressure state, which we recognizes in clinical practice, is usually the consequence of the initial fluid resuscitation. When hypotension persists and lactate levels are increased, the patient meets the criteria for septic shock, the most severe case of sepsis with still mortality rates of more than 30%. The clinical management of septic shock patients remains a challenge as a limited number of safe and effective treatments together with an even more limited number of parameters to assess adequacy of treatment are present. In addition, almost all available treatments may have significant side effects so that a one-size-fits-all treatment should only be used in the initial start of a treatment schedule. In this chapter, these different elements are discussed and a pledge for personalized treatment of septic shock is made with a physiological base from available experimental and clinical evidence.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationManagement of Dysregulated Immune Response in the Critically Ill
EditorsZsolt Molnar, Marlies Ostermann, Manu Shankar-Hari
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media
Pages113-133
Number of pages21
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-17572-5
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-17571-8, 978-3-031-17574-9
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 12 Mar 2023

Publication series

SeriesLessons from the ICU
ISSN2522-5928

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Septic Shock'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this