Although myocardial performance is altered during sepsis and septic shock, cardiac output is usually maintained in patients with sepsis who have undergone volume resuscitation. Data from the 1980s and 1990s suggested a linear relation between oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption (pathologic supply dependency), indicating that oxygen delivery was likely insufficient to meet the metabolic needs of the patient.
However, subsequent investigations challenged the concept of pathologic supply dependency and the practice of elevating cardiac index and oxygen delivery (hyperresuscitation) on the grounds that these interventions have not been shown to improve patient outcome. However, if there is inadequate cardiac index, MAP, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and urine output despite optimal volume resuscitation and vasopressor therapy, a trial of dobutamine infusion up to 20 µg/kg/min be administered or added to vasopressor therapy.
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Stages of sepsis based on American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Panel guidelines.
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Pathogenesis of sepsis and multiorgan failure.
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Venn diagram showing overlap of infection, bacteremia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and multiorgan dysfunction.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) present in this chest x-ray (CXR) film is a common organ system affected in multiorgan failure of sepsis.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) shown in this chest x-ray (CXR) film is a common complication of septic shock. Note bilateral airspace infiltration, absence of cardiomegaly, vascular redistribution, and Kerley B lines.
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Organizing phase of diffuse alveolar damage (ARDS) secondary to septic shock shows diffuse alveolar injury and infiltration with inflammatory cells.
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Organizing diffuse alveolar damage in a different location showing disorganization of pulmonary architecture.
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A high-power view of organizing diffuse alveolar damage (ARDS) shows hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes and hyaline membrane deposits.
