[Updated definition of sepsis : Implications for diagnostics and therapy principles]

Until a short time ago the criteria for sepsis were based on the assumption that sepsis is primarily caused by the inflammatory reaction of the body to an infection, which does not correspond to the current knowledge on the pathophysiology of sepsis. Accordingly, sepsis is now defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a falsely regulated response of the body to an infection. Septic shock occurs when a condition of persisting hypotension with the continuous need for vasopressor agents and serum lactate levels of >2 mmol/l despite administration of sufficient volume and fluid is present. These new definitions are discussed in this article with respect to the consequences for the diagnosis of sepsis. This review article also presents the current controversies on the most important aspects of the therapy of sepsis.