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    Abstract:
    Introduction: Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are at risk for sepsis during their hospitalization; however, it is not clear how this diagnosis may affect the risk of mortality and their length of stay. Hypothesis: The diagnosis of sepsis in patients with aSAH increases mortality and length of stay compared to patients with aSAH who are not diagnosed with sepsis. Methods: The University Healthcare Consortium (UHC) database was queried from 04/2008 to 06/2011 for all patients with primary ICD-9 diagnosis codes of aSAH. Inpatient mortality, ICU length of stay and hospital length of stay for these patients were then compared based on whether they had a secondary diagnosis of sepsis or other related conditions, including septicemia, severe sepsis, and septic shock, during their admission. Results: Using the UHC database, 33849 patients with aSAH were located. Of these patients, approximately 2080 (6.1%) also had a sepsis-related diagnosis. When these aSAH patients were compared to patients with sepsis-related diagnoses, the mortality was increased from 17.9% to 45.3% (p<0.0001), ICU LOS was increased from a mean of 9.6 days to 18.8 days (p<0.0001), and hospital LOS was increased from a mean of 13.4 days to 28.2 days (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Sepsis was associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality, ICU LOS and hospital LOS in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Additional studies are warranted to determine risk factors for the poor outcomes observed in these patients and to determine whether the utilization of specific care measures and bundles may improves these outcomes.
    Septic shock is a relatively rare but life-threatening condition in pediatric patients that can often be difficult to recognize in the emergency department. Once recognized, the emphasis of therapy is to reverse deficits in cellular respiration by increasing oxygen and other substrate delivery to tissue beds. Providing oxygen, improving tissue perfusion through augmentation of cardiac output, and administering antibiotics in a timely manner have all been shown to significantly improve outcomes in children with septic shock. Goal-directed therapy is relatively straightforward, emphasizes the need for effective surveillance and timely recognition of this disease process, and has the potential to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. This review discusses how to identify specific populations at the greatest risk for septic shock, lays out the essential components of goal-directed therapy, examines potential pitfalls in management, and distinguishes additional ways that emergency clinicians can avoid the devastating consequences of septic shock in pediatric patients.
    Antibiotic Therapy
    Early goal-directed therapy
    Citations (5)
    Septic shock is characterized by an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response that contributes to organ dysfunction, failure and eventually death. The importance of the adrenal glands for survival under conditions of physiologic stress has been known since the early 20th century. Clinical studies explored the potential therapeutic role of corticosteroids in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. Despite controversies on the benefit-to-risk ratio, they are widely used. The longstanding adoption of corticosteroids in the treatment of severe sepsis likely relies on the prompt reversal of septic shock often seen at the bedside. This current review was designed to provide readers with a clear understanding and rationale for using corticosteroids, while presenting a review of the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines and the results from the implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
    Organ dysfunction
    Surviving Sepsis Campaign
    Purpose of review Severe sepsis and septic shock are common causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The complexities of the septic cascade continue to emerge and may identify new targets for innovative patient management. This review will highlight some of the recent advances in our management of the patient with sepsis. Recent findings The early administration of adequate antibiotic therapy, effective source control, and goal-directed hemodynamic resuscitation are the cornerstone of successful management. Prevention of the complications of critical illness and maintenance of normal glucose levels are also important elements of effective management. In patients with vasopressor-dependent septic shock, evaluation for inadequate cortisol response and the provision of physiologic doses of replacement steroids for those found to be deficient may result in improved survival. Administration of drotrecogin alfa (activated), (activated protein C) has been shown to improve survival in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock who have a high risk of mortality. Because of its anticoagulant properties, caution must be exercised with the use of activated protein C in those patients who meet the contraindications for its use or who have risk factors for increased bleeding complications. Summary Significant advances have been made in our understanding of the septic cascade and our ability to manage patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Despite these advances, significant morbidity and mortality continue. In addition, there is also considerable impact on the financial and overall function of the patient.
    Drotrecogin alfa
    Surviving Sepsis Campaign
    Early goal-directed therapy
    The incidence rates of sepsis and septic shock as a complication have become more common over the past several decades. With this increase, sepsis remains the most common cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and one of the most mortality factors, with a huge burden on healthcare facilities. Septic shock has devastating consequences on patients' lives, including organ failures and other long-term complications. Due to its dynamic clinical presentations, guidelines and tools have been established to improve the diagnosis and management effectively. However, there is still a need for evidence-based standardized procedures for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of sepsis and septic shock patients due to the inconsistency of current guidelines and studies contrasting with each other. The standardization would help physicians better manage sepsis, minimize complications and reduce mortality. Septic shock is usually challenging to manage due to its variety of clinical characteristics and physiologic dynamics, affecting the outcomes. Therefore, this review presented the available data in the literature on septic shock diagnosis, management, and prognosis to have an overview of the updated best practice approach to septic shock.
    Surviving Sepsis Campaign
    Citations (11)
    Abstract Background: Sepsis was recently redefined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. With this redefinition (Sepsis-3), clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with sepsis may differ from the patients fulfilling the previous described definition (Sepsis-2). Purpose: To describe differences in clinical and microbiological characteristics of sepsis episodes between Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2. The secondary aim was to compare blood culture outcomes between episodes fulfilling Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2 criteria, respectively. Methods: A prospective study design was used to include patients presenting with clinically suspected sepsis in the emergency department. Six blood culture bottles were collected from each patient. Blood cultures were described as having clinically relevant growth, contaminant growth, or no growth. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records and the laboratory information system. Results: The analysis included 549 episodes. There were 387/549 (70.5%) Sepsis-3 and 443/549 (80.7%) Sepsis-2 episodes. In total, 369/549 (67.2%) episodes fulfilled both Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2 criteria. Blood cultures were positive for clinically relevant growth in 140/387 (36.1%) and 155/443 (35.0%) episodes in Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2, respectively. Other clinical and microbiological characteristics did not differ between Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients included through a sepsis alert system fulfilled both Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2 criteria. The performance of blood cultures in detection of microorganisms was poor and were similar in Sepsis-3 and Sepsis-2 patients.
    Blood Culture
    Sepsis is a major global health problem that results from a dysregulated and uncontrolled host response to infection, causing organ failure. Despite effective anti-infective therapy and supportive treatments, the mortality rate of sepsis remains high. Approximately 30–80% of patients with sepsis may develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which can double the mortality rate. There is currently no definitive treatment approach for sepsis, with etiologic treatment being the cornerstone of therapy for sepsis-associated DIC. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are critical factors that impact the prognosis of sepsis-related DIC. Over the past several decades, researchers have made continuous efforts to better understand the mechanisms of DIC in sepsis, as well as improve its quantitative diagnosis and treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of sepsis-related DIC, focusing on common causes and diagnoses, with the goal of guiding healthcare providers in the care of patients with sepsis.
    Pathophysiology
    Citations (21)
    Sepsis and septic shock represent important infection-related medical emergencies that result in significant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and microbiology of these processes are evolving. Nonetheless, timely and appropriate antibiotic therapy continues to represent the most important determinant of survival. Recent trials have clarified that crystalloids are preferred for initial resuscitation, and balanced crystalloids appear superior to 0.9% saline. Controversy remains regarding not only the rate and rapidity of fluid resuscitation but also about the timing and use of vasopressors to maintain blood pressure. While some newer alternative vasopressors may have a role in sepsis, more evidence supporting their use is required. Conflicting data exist regarding the impact of corticosteroids on mortality in septic shock. However, these reports indicate that adjunctive hydrocortisone can lead to more rapid shock reversal.
    Surviving Sepsis Campaign
    Citations (4)