Management of Severe Sepsis: Integration of Multiple Pharmacologic Interventions.

Micek, Scott T.; Shah, Rina A.; Kollef, Marin H.

Severe sepsis is an infection-induced process that often precedes organ dysfunction and death in up to 50% of afflicted patients. Clinical advances that improve patient survival include early goal-directed volume resuscitation, broad-spectrum empiric antimicrobial therapy with deescalation strategies, therapy with drotrecogin alfa (activated), glucocorticoid replacement in patients with adrenal insufficiency, and tight control of blood glucose levels. The challenge for critical care practitioners is to integrate the many pharmacologic and supportive interventions required for optimal care of these patients..

SEPTICEMIA prevention; CRITICAL care medicine; ANTI-infective agents; BLOOD sugar monitoring; THROMBOEMBOLISM treatment; GLUCOCORTICOIDS; RESUSCITATION; HEMODYNAMICS; INFECTION prevention; PSYCHOLOGY

Pharmacotherapy, 2003, Vol 23, Issue 11, p1486

0277-0008

Academic Journal

10.1592/phco.23.14.1486.31945