Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock

Sepsis results when the body's response to infection causes lifethreatening organ dysfunction. Septic shock is sepsis that results in tissue hypoperfusion, with vasopressor-requiring hypotension and Viewpoint page 807 Author Audio Interview elevated lactate levels.1 Sepsis is a leading cause of death, morbidity, and expense, contributing to one-third to half of deaths of hospitalized patients,2 depending on definitions.3 Management of sepsis is a complicated clinical challenge requiring early recognitionandmanagementof infection,hemodynamicissues,and other organ dysfunctions. Copyright 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.