Septic shock Flashcards
Define sepsis
The presence (probably or documented) of infection together with systemic manifestations of infection”
What is meant by “systemetic manifestations of infection”?
- pyrexia
- pallor
- tachycardia
- raised infection markers in blood (CRP, WCC)
define severe sepsis
“Sepsis PLUS sepsis-induced organ dysfunction or tissue hypoperfusion”
Give 5 signs of severe sepsis
- Low urine output (<0.5ml/kg/hour)
- low arterial oxygen concentrations
- changes in blood clotting (INR>1.5)
- Raised bilirubin (>70micromol/L)
- raised lactate (>1mmol/L)
define septic shock
aka SIRS
“Sepsis-induced hypotension persisting despite fluid resuscitation”
SBP <90mmHg
OR
Mean arterial blood pressure below 70mmHg
Where are the infections that cause sepsis?
Infections anywhere in the body can cause sepsis
What are the risk factors for sepsis?
- Immunocompromised (HIV infection or cancer chemotherapy)
- Neonates and infants
- chronic disease
- recent surgery
- invasive procedures (central lines, urinary catheters)
Describer the pathophysiology of sepsis
- septic shock is a deregulated inflammatory response
- bacterial proteins activate cellular defence mechanisms
- release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1, IL-6)
- nitric oxide release, which triggers vasodilation
- activation of complement which causes cell requirement of lymphocytes, leucocytes and macrophages
- endothelial action which is nitric oxide mediated, allows immune cells to stick and stay where needed, causes capillaries to become more porous
What does vasodilation cause in sepsis?
- a reduction in systemic vascular resistance
- hypotension
- reduction in consciousness
What happens when the body becomes fluid deplete as a result of vasodilation?
- hypovalaemia
- tissue oedema
- perfusion of tissues is reduced
Reduced perfusion of tissues causes what?
- tissue ischaemia
- increasing lactate
What are the sepsis 6? When do you have to them?
Do within 1 hour:
- administer oxygen
- take blood cultures
- give broad spectrum antibiotics
- give fluid resuscitation
- Measure lactate and haemoglobin
- measure urine output
Mnemonic: OBAFLU
With regards to oxygen administration, what are the goals?
- Increase blood oxygenation
- increase oxygen delivery to organs
When giving oxygen, what is the treatment?
What are the indicators?
100% Oxygen through face-mask (=24L/min flow)
Indicators are lactate and venous oxygen saturation
What is the guidance regarding blood cultures?
- Start smart, then focus
- Do not delay antibiotics waiting for blood cultures
- empirical therapy based on likely organism
- Note: most patients with sepsis will be culture negative after a single dose of antibiotic