Update on hemodynamic monitoring and management in septic patients

Severe sepsis and septic shock are associated with significant mortality. Effective management of this clinical syndrome includes early resuscitation with fluids and vasoactive drugs to maintain vital organ perfusion and oxygen delivery. Understanding the different approach to the management of sepsis during the resuscitation and ongoing management phases is essential to initiate context- and time-specific interventions. Manipulation of hemodynamic variables to achieve a balance between oxygen delivery and consumption forms the cornerstone of hemodynamic optimisation. Minimally invasive and completely non-invasive cardiac output monitors have been developed, but require validation in this specific cohort of patients. The trend in hemodynamic parameters is particularly important when any intervention to augment cardiac output is carried out (functional hemodynamic monitoring). Cardiac output monitors and surrogates of tissue oxygenation are only able to guide management, as patient outcome is determined by acquisition and interpretation of accurate data, and suitable management decisions.