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Updated: Dec 24, 2025
06:43
Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
24.8K
[Is control fever mandatory in severe infections?]
P Seguin1, Y Launey1, N Nesseler1
1Service d'anesthésie-réanimation 1, réanimation chirurgicale, hôpital Pontchaillou, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, F-35000 Rennes, France.
Summary
Temperature control in severe sepsis and septic shock lacks conclusive evidence of benefit. Extreme temperatures should be avoided, and the risks versus benefits of fever management must be individualized.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Physiology
Context:
- Temperature control is common in intensive care for severe sepsis (66%) and septic shock (70%).
- Conclusive evidence supporting the benefits of temperature control strategies is currently lacking.
- Concerns exist regarding potential risks of temperature control on infection progression and patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the existing evidence on temperature control in severe sepsis and septic shock.
- To discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with fever management in septic patients.
- To highlight the need for individualized risk-benefit assessment of temperature control.
Summary:
- Fever can increase oxygen consumption, potentially causing tissue ischemia, and may exacerbate inflammation.
- Methods for temperature control include external/internal cooling and antipyretic medications like paracetamol and NSAIDs.
- Despite uncertainties, avoiding extreme temperatures (hypo- or hyperthermia) is crucial, necessitating personalized treatment decisions.
Impact:
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding fever management in sepsis.
- Highlights areas for future research to establish definitive guidelines for temperature control.
- Emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach to managing sepsis-induced temperature dysregulation.
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