Sepsis Case Study

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The guidelines’ first focus is the definition of sepsis, which makes sense, because there is no way to effectively treat sepsis without an accurate and categorical definition of the term. The guidelines define sepsis as “the presence (probable or documented) of infection together with systemic manifestations of infection”. Such systemic manifestations can include fever, tachypnea, AMS, WBC >12k, among others; these manifestations are listed in full in Table 1 of the guidelines. The definition for severe sepsis builds on to the definition of sepsis, bringing organ dysfunction and tissue hypoperfusion (oliguria, hypotension, elevated lactate) into the picture; full diagnostic criteria is listed in Table 2. The guidelines recommend that all …show more content…

antibiotics Reassess lactate level if initial was elevated (goal: WNL)
If hypotensive or lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L:
Administer 30 mL/kg crystalloid

Antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone sepsis treatment, and the therapeutic goal should be centered around administration of effective IV antibiotics within 60 minutes of septic shock or severe sepsis (without shock) recognition. The initial antimicrobial therapy should be empiric and focused on having activity against all expected pathogens (bacterial, fungal, viral), based on each individual patient situation. Daily reassessment of antimicrobial therapy should be performed, with de escalation in mind; procalcitonin levels can be of use to direct discontinuation in patients with no evidence of infection following initial septic …show more content…

Epinephrine can be added to NE if needed to maintain acceptable BP, or substituted if necessary. Vasopressin (0.03 units/min) can be used as an adjunct to increase MAP,or to lower NE dose; it should not be used as a single agent. Dopamine can be used as an alternative to NE, but only in patients meeting criteria due to risk of arrhythmias; low dose dopamine not to be used for renal protection. Phenylephrine not recommended in most cases; can be utilized if NE leads to serious arrhythmias, CO is known to be high yet BP continues to be low, or as salvage therapy when MAP target is not achieved by other means. An arterial cath should be placed ASAP in patients who require vasopressors. Inotropes can be added to vasopressors or used alone, with a doubatmine trial of up to 20 mcg/kg/min as an option if myocardial dysfunction is suspected by elevated cardiac filling pressures and low CO, or if hypoperfusion is still evident although intravascular volume and MAP are at goal. Bicarbonate should not be used in patients with pH greater than or equal to

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