Predictors of Morbidity and Mortality in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Abstract

Severe sepsis and septic shock are one of the major most common problems in critical medicine. With advances in intensive care, increased awareness, and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines, clinicians have taken large strides in reducing the risk of imminent death associated with sepsis. However, this can be better achieved with more progress in diagnosis the sepsis in those patients especially with severe sepsis, in intensive care units. At the same time, advances in molecular biology have provided keen insight into the complexity of pathogen and alarm recognition by the human host and important clues to a host response that has gone awry. However, harnessing that information to provide effective new diagnostic techniques are emerging. Sepsis, in all its manifestations, has plagued physicians since the advent of medicine. Despite remarkable advances in the management of such patients, the recognition and timely, appropriate treatment of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock remains of utmost importance. Every clinician should have a basic understanding of the incidence, clinical features, and treatment of sepsis, particularly given the rising incidence and the mortality benefit of early treatment. Finally, all clinicians need to recognize that the effects of sepsis endure far beyond hospital discharge and therefore, no physician is exempt from understanding sepsis and the subsequent implications it portends for ongoing patient care. To further improve the outcome of patients with sepsis through the development of new diagnostic potentials, newer, smarter approaches to clinical-trial design and execution are essential. Early-Goal-Directed Therapy have internal and external validity in reducing mortality for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock.