Managing the Dreaded Septic Shock!!
The potentially fatal outcome of sepsis is septic shock. Septic shock occurs when the uncontrolled response of body’s immune system results in severe hypotension and altered cellular metabolism secondary to end-organ damage due to sepsis. Literature shows septic shock to be the most common cause of death in Intensive Care Units in United States. Most common complications of septic shock include altered blood clotting, renal and cardiac failure, respiratory depression, ischemia of portions of bowel, and loss of limbs. The characteristic sign of septic shock is unresponsiveness to fluid resuscitation. Other sign and symptoms include oliguria, cool extremities, cyanosis, high or low core temperature and acute confusion and dizziness. The first and foremost step in management of septic shock is fluid resuscitation. Intravenous fluids along with vasopressor drugs are administered to manage hypotension. Intravenous antibiotics are given to combat causative agents. Low-dose corticosteroids may be administered in patient who are not responding to fluid resuscitation, however, the benefit of administering corticosteroids for septic shock is still controversial and requires more research. Source: Management of Septic Shock http://jurnal.globalhealthsciencegroup.com/index.php/JPPP/article/view/155 Image via https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6307173/New-sepsis-blood-test-1-000-TIMES-effective.html