Utility of the shock index in patients with sepsis

The shock index (SI) equals the heart rate/systolic blood pressure and has been used to predict clinical outcomes, especially in trauma and surgery patients. The authors reviewed the literature to determine its utility in the management of patients with sepsis and in the prediction of adverse outcomes in these patients. The medical literature was searched using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases to identify articles in English on the SI in humans. These studies demonstrated that the SI could help evaluate the adequacy of fluid resuscitation and the potential response to additional fluid. It can predict the presence of lactic acidosis. The SI also helps predict the development of organ failure and mortality. Consequently, this easily available bedside measurement has utility in the identification, management and prediction of prognosis in patients with sepsis.