Septic shock

Septic shock is a life-threatening subset of sepsis marked by circulatory and cellular abnormalities that can cause dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure.

Sepsis: Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. Septic shock is the most severe subset of sepsis.
Sepsis-3: Sepsis-3 is the 2016 international consensus framework defining sepsis and septic shock. Its clinical criteria distinguish septic shock using vasopressor need and elevated lactate after fluid resuscitation.
Hypotension: Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure that may compromise organ perfusion. Persistent low pressure is a defining clinical feature of septic shock.
Hypovolemic shock: Hypovolemic shock is circulatory failure caused by a severe loss of blood or body fluid. Unlike septic shock, its primary driver is volume loss rather than infection-related dysregulation.
Vasoplegia: Vasoplegia is severe loss of vascular tone that lowers blood pressure despite adequate or increased blood flow. Widespread vasodilation contributes to the profound hypotension of septic shock.
Surviving Sepsis Campaign: The Surviving Sepsis Campaign is an international initiative that develops and disseminates sepsis care guidelines. Its guidance informs early resuscitation and ongoing management of septic shock.
Organ dysfunction: Organ dysfunction is impaired function of one or more body organs. Acute organ dysfunction marks sepsis and can progress during septic shock.
Cardiogenic shock: Cardiogenic shock is circulatory failure caused by the heart's inability to pump enough blood. It centers on pump failure, though septic shock can also depress cardiac function.
Endothelial dysfunction: Endothelial dysfunction is impaired regulation of blood vessels by the cells lining them. Inflammatory injury to the endothelium increases leakage and disrupts vascular tone.
Norepinephrine: Norepinephrine is a catecholamine drug that raises blood pressure mainly through vasoconstriction. It is the recommended first-line vasopressor for persistent septic shock hypotension.

Linked from 15 pages