Sepsis overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Resident
Survival
Guide

Sepsis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information (Adult)

Patient Information (Neonatal)

Overview

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Sepsis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Sepsis overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Sepsis overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Sepsis overview

CDC on Sepsis overview

Sepsis overview in the news

Blogs on Sepsis overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sepsis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Sepsis overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]

Synonyms and keywords: sepsis syndrome; septic shock; septicemia

Overview

Sepsis is a condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state caused by infection. Septic shock is a serious medical condition caused by decreased tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery as a result of infection and sepsis. It can cause multiple organ failure and death. Its most common victims are children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. This is because their immune systems cannot cope with the infection as well as those of full-grown adults.[1]

Pathophysiology

The immunological response that causes sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response causing widespread activation of inflammation and coagulation pathways. This may progress to dysfunction of the circulatory system and, even under optimal treatment, may result in the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and eventually death. A subclass of distributive shock, shock refers specifically to decreased tissue perfusion resulting in end-organ dysfunction. Cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, interferon γ, IL-6 released in a large scale inflammatory response results in massive vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, decreased systemic vascular resistance, and hypotension. Hypotension reduces tissue perfusion pressure and thus tissue hypoxia ensues. Finally, in an attempt to offset decreased blood pressure, ventricular dilatation and myocardial dysfunction will occur.[2][3][4][5][6]

Classification

In rough order of severity, these are bacteremia or fungemia; septicemia; sepsis, severe sepsis or sepsis syndrome; septic shock; refractory septic shock; multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death.

Causes

The process of infection by bacteria or fungi can result in systemic signs and symptoms that are variously described. The condition develops as a response to certain microbial molecules which trigger the production and release of cellular mediators, such as tumor necrosis factors (TNF); these act to stimulate immune response.[7][8][9]

Differentiating Sepsis from other Diseases

Sepsis must be differentiated from other syndromes presnting with fever, hypotension such as the acute bacterial endocarditis, myocardial ring abscess, subacute bacterial endocarditis and bacterial meningitis.[10][11][12]

Epidemiology and Demographics

The hospitalization rate of those with a principal diagnosis of septicemia or sepsis more than doubled from 2000 through 2008. During the same period, the hospitalization rate for those with septicemia or sepsis as a principal or as a secondary diagnosis increased by 70% from 221 to 377 for every 100,000 people. Reasons for these increases may include an aging population with more chronic illnesses, greater use of invasive procedures, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy, transplantation, and increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics.[13]

Risk Factors

Factors responsible for increased risk of sepsis may include an aging population with more chronic illnesses; greater use of invasive procedures, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy, and transplantation; and increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics. Other patients population at increased risk are ICU admits, immunocompromised, bacteremic, with community acquired pneumonia, and with genetic predisposition.[14][13][13]

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

There are many complications associated with sepsis, especially because it is a systemic phenomenon. Sepsis is a severe condition, and the prognosis of the patient will depend greatly on the condition and overall health of the patient. Many factors, such as age, hosts immune response, site of infection, type of infection, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and restoration of circulation of perfusion contribute to the overall prognosis.[15][16] [17][18][19][20] [21]

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Symptoms of sepsis are often related to the underlying infectious process. When the infection crosses into the bloodstream the resulting symptoms of sepsis occur fever, chills, and rigors, confusion, anxiety, difficulty breathing, fatigue and malaise, nausea and vomiting.[22][23][1]

Physical Examination

The physical examination of sepsis shows findings of the causative system as well as some generalized features.[24][25]

Laboratory Findings

The international guideline committee for diagnosis of septic shock recommends obtaining appropriate cultures that may include at least two blood cultures, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, wounds, respiratory secretions, or other body fluid cultures before antimicrobial therapy is initiated. If such cultures do not cause significant delay in antibiotic administration, then other tests that may be done include blood gases, kidney function tests, platelet count, white blood cell count, blood differential, fibrin degradation products, and peripheral smear.[26][1]

Chest X Ray

There are no specific chest X-ray findings associated with sepsis but may show the features consistent with the primary source of infection.

CT

There are no specific CT findings associated with sepsis but may show the features consistent with the primary source of infection.

MRI

There are no specific MRI findings associated with sepsis but may show the features consistent with the primary source of infection.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

There are no specific echocardiography or ultrasound finidngs associated with sepsis but may show the features consistent with the primary source of infection.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

According to IDSA, "Surviving Sepsis Campaign" guidelines, the management protocol for sepsis include screening for high-risk patients; taking bacterial cultures soon after the patient arrived at the hospital; starting patients on broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy before the results of the cultures are obtained; identifying the source of infection and taking steps to control it (e.g., abscess drainage); administering intravenous fluids to correct a loss or decrease in blood volume; and maintaining glycemic (blood sugar) control.[13][27][28][29][30][31][32][32][33][34][35][36][37]

Surgery

Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of sepsis

Prevention

Prevent infections that can lead to sepsis by cleaning scrapes and wounds and getting regular vaccination against infections that cause sepsis can help in the prevention of sepsis.[38]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Karnatovskaia LV, Festic E (2012). "Sepsis: a review for the neurohospitalist". Neurohospitalist. 2 (4): 144–53. doi:10.1177/1941874412453338. PMC 3726110. PMID 23983879.
  2. Minasyan H (2017). "Sepsis and septic shock: Pathogenesis and treatment perspectives". J Crit Care. 40: 229–242. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2017.04.015. PMID 28448952.
  3. Pop-Began V, Păunescu V, Grigorean V, Pop-Began D, Popescu C (2014). "Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of sepsis". J Med Life. 7 Spec No. 2: 38–41. PMC 4391358. PMID 25870671.
  4. Stearns-Kurosawa DJ, Osuchowski MF, Valentine C, Kurosawa S, Remick DG (2011). "The pathogenesis of sepsis". Annu Rev Pathol. 6: 19–48. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-011110-130327. PMC 3684427. PMID 20887193.
  5. Cunneen J, Cartwright M (2004). "The puzzle of sepsis: fitting the pieces of the inflammatory response with treatment". AACN Clin Issues. 15 (1): 18–44. PMID 14767363.
  6. Chaudhry H, Zhou J, Zhong Y, Ali MM, McGuire F, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M (2013). "Role of cytokines as a double-edged sword in sepsis". In Vivo. 27 (6): 669–84. PMC 4378830. PMID 24292568.
  7. Annane D, Aegerter P, Jars-Guincestre MC, Guidet B (2003). "Current epidemiology of septic shock: the CUB-Réa Network". Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 168 (2): 165–72. doi:10.1164/rccm.2201087. PMID 12851245.
  8. Pronovost P, Needham D, Berenholtz S, Sinopoli D, Chu H, Cosgrove S, Sexton B, Hyzy R, Welsh R, Roth G, Bander J, Kepros J, Goeschel C (2006). "An intervention to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU". N. Engl. J. Med. 355 (26): 2725–32. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa061115. PMID 17192537.
  9. Mayr FB, Yende S, Angus DC (2014). "Epidemiology of severe sepsis". Virulence. 5 (1): 4–11. doi:10.4161/viru.27372. PMC 3916382. PMID 24335434.
  10. Machowicz R, Janka G, Wiktor-Jedrzejczak W (2017). "Similar but not the same: Differential diagnosis of HLH and sepsis". Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 114: 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.03.023. PMID 28477737.
  11. Parrillo, Joseph E.; Ayres, Stephen M. (1984). Major issues in critical care medicine. Baltimore: William Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-06754-0.
  12. Judith S. Hochman, E. Magnus Ohman (2009). Cardiogenic Shock. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9781405179263.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Products - Data Briefs - Number 62 - June 2011". Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  14. Ballouz T, Aridi J, Afif C, Irani J, Lakis C, Nasreddine R, Azar E (2017). "Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, and Outcome of Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia". Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 7: 156. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2017.00156. PMC 5415554. PMID 28523249.
  15. Kellum JA, Chawla LS, Keener C, Singbartl K, Palevsky PM, Pike FL; et al. (2016). "The Effects of Alternative Resuscitation Strategies on Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Septic Shock". Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 193 (3): 281–7. doi:10.1164/rccm.201505-0995OC. PMC 4803059. PMID 26398704.
  16. Kaukonen KM, Bailey M, Pilcher D, Cooper DJ, Bellomo R (2015). "Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Criteria in Defining Severe Sepsis". N Engl J Med. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1415236. PMID 25776936.
  17. Capp R, Horton CL, Takhar SS, Ginde AA, Peak DA, Zane R; et al. (2015). "Predictors of Patients Who Present to the Emergency Department With Sepsis and Progress to Septic Shock Between 4 and 48 Hours of Emergency Department Arrival". Crit Care Med. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000000861. PMID 25668750.
  18. Williams JM, Greenslade JH, Chu K, Brown AF, Lipman J (2016). "Severity Scores in Emergency Department Patients With Presumed Infection: A Prospective Validation Study". Crit Care Med. 44 (3): 539–47. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000001427. PMID 26901543.
  19. Shapiro NI, Wolfe RE, Moore RB, Smith E, Burdick E, Bates DW (2003). "Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score: a prospectively derived and validated clinical prediction rule". Crit. Care Med. 31 (3): 670–5. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000054867.01688.D1. PMID 12626967.
  20. Seymour CW, Liu VX, Iwashyna TJ, Brunkhorst FM, Rea TD, Scherag A; et al. (2016). "Assessment of Clinical Criteria for Sepsis: For the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3)". JAMA. 315 (8): 762–74. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.0288. PMID 26903335.
  21. GitHub Contributors. Prognosticating in sepsis with decision aids: a living systematic review. GitHub. Available at https://github.com/openMetaAnalysis/Sepsis-prognosticating-with-decision-aids/blob/master/README.md. Accessed January 26, 2017.
  22. Lever A, Mackenzie I (2007). "Sepsis: definition, epidemiology, and diagnosis". BMJ. 335 (7625): 879–83. doi:10.1136/bmj.39346.495880.AE. PMC 2043413. PMID 17962288.
  23. Juneja, Deven (2012). "Severe sepsis and septic shock in the elderly: An overview". World Journal of Critical Care Medicine. 1 (1): 23. doi:10.5492/wjccm.v1.i1.23. ISSN 2220-3141.
  24. Dellinger RP, Levy MM, Carlet JM, Bion J, Parker MM, Jaeschke R, Reinhart K, Angus DC, Brun-Buisson C, Beale R, Calandra T, Dhainaut JF, Gerlach H, Harvey M, Marini JJ, Marshall J, Ranieri M, Ramsay G, Sevransky J, Thompson BT, Townsend S, Vender JS, Zimmerman JL, Vincent JL (2008). "Surviving Sepsis Campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock: 2008". Critical Care Medicine. 36 (1): 296–327. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000298158.12101.41. PMID 18158437. Retrieved 2012-09-16. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  25. Bone RC, Balk RA, Cerra FB, Dellinger RP, Fein AM, Knaus WA, Schein RM, Sibbald WJ. Definitions for sepsis and organ failure and guidelines for the use of innovative therapies in sepsis. The ACCP/SCCM Consensus Conference Committee. American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine. Chest. 1992 Jun;101(6):1644-55. PMID 1303622.
  26. Darmon M, Ostermann M, Cerda J, Dimopoulos MA, Forni L, Hoste E, Legrand M, Lerolle N, Rondeau E, Schneider A, Souweine B, Schetz M (2017). "Diagnostic work-up and specific causes of acute kidney injury". Intensive Care Med. doi:10.1007/s00134-017-4799-8. PMID 28444409.
  27. Wiedermann CJ, Adamson IY, Pert CB, Bowden DH. "Enhanced secretion of immunoreactive bombesin by alveolar macrophages exposed to silica". Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 43 (2): 99–103. PMID 2826633. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  28. Dellinger RP, Levy MM, Rhodes A, Annane D, Gerlach H, Opal SM; et al. (2013). "Surviving sepsis campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock: 2012". Crit Care Med. 41 (2): 580–637. doi:10.1097/CCM.0b013e31827e83af. PMID 23353941.
  29. Dellinger RP, Levy MM, Rhodes A, Annane D, Gerlach H, Opal SM; et al. (2013). "Surviving Sepsis Campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock, 2012". Intensive Care Med. 39 (2): 165–228. doi:10.1007/s00134-012-2769-8. PMID 23361625.
  30. Rhodes A, Phillips G, Beale R, Cecconi M, Chiche JD, De Backer D; et al. (2015). "The Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundles and outcome: results from the International Multicentre Prevalence Study on Sepsis (the IMPreSS study)". Intensive Care Med. 41 (9): 1620–8. doi:10.1007/s00134-015-3906-y. PMID 26109396.
  31. Levy MM, Rhodes A, Phillips GS, Townsend SR, Schorr CA, Beale R; et al. (2015). "Surviving Sepsis Campaign: association between performance metrics and outcomes in a 7.5-year study". Crit Care Med. 43 (1): 3–12. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000000723. PMID 25275252.
  32. 32.0 32.1 Miller RR, Dong L, Nelson NC, Brown SM, Kuttler KG, Probst DR; et al. (2013). "Multicenter implementation of a severe sepsis and septic shock treatment bundle". Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 188 (1): 77–82. doi:10.1164/rccm.201212-2199OC. PMC 3735248. PMID 23631750.
  33. Leisman D, Wie B, Doerfler M, Bianculli A, Frances Ward M, Akerman M; et al. (2016). "Association of Fluid Resuscitation Initiation Within 30 Minutes of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Recognition With Reduced Mortality and Length of Stay". Ann Emerg Med. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.02.044. PMID 27085369.
  34. Narayanan N, Gross AK, Pintens M, Fee C, MacDougall C (2016). "Effect of an electronic medical record alert for severe sepsis among ED patients". Am J Emerg Med. 34 (2): 185–8. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2015.10.005. PMID 26573784.
  35. Semler MW, Weavind L, Hooper MH, Rice TW, Gowda SS, Nadas A; et al. (2015). "An Electronic Tool for the Evaluation and Treatment of Sepsis in the ICU: A Randomized Controlled Trial". Crit Care Med. 43 (8): 1595–602. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000001020. PMC 4506222. PMID 25867906.
  36. GitHub Contributors. Sepsis alerts to improve diagnosis: a living systematic review. GitHub. Available at https://github.com/openMetaAnalysis/Sepsis-alerts-to-improve-diagnosis/blob/master/README.md. Accessed March 15, 2017.
  37. Harrison AM, Gajic O, Pickering BW, Herasevich V (2016). "Development and Implementation of Sepsis Alert Systems". Clin Chest Med. 37 (2): 219–29. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2016.01.004. PMC 4884325. PMID 27229639.
  38. "Q & A | Sepsis | CDC".

Template:WH Template:WS