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The septic syndrome. Definition and clinical implications
1Department of Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Critical Care Clinics
|January 1, 1989
Summary
A new septic syndrome definition aids early sepsis detection. This approach identifies patients at risk for complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), facilitating timely interventions.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Sepsis diagnosis traditionally relies on specific criteria.
- Early identification of septic patients is crucial for effective treatment.
- Understanding septic syndrome aids in managing infectious disease complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a clinical definition of septic syndrome.
- To assess the utility of this definition in identifying patients with sepsis.
- To explore its potential for earlier therapeutic interventions and research.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter trial involving 382 patients was conducted.
- Patients were assessed using clinical criteria for septic syndrome, including fever/hypothermia, tachypnea, tachycardia, and signs of organ dysfunction.
- Blood cultures were obtained to confirm infectious processes.
Main Results:
- The septic syndrome definition identified patients with infectious processes, fever/hypothermia, tachypnea, tachycardia, and impaired organ perfusion.
- Positive blood cultures were found in 45% of patients.
- Mortality was approximately 30%, with 25% developing ARDS.
Conclusions:
- The septic syndrome definition is comparable to traditional sepsis criteria.
- This definition may enable earlier detection and intervention for sepsis.
- It can help identify patients at risk for sepsis complications like ARDS and facilitate research.