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Sepsis Care: Cardiovascular Challenges and Solutions for Nurses
Martin Herrera1, Kevin Koch, Jennifer Reynolds
1Author Affiliations: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Drs Herrera, Koch, DuMont, Cheema); Division of Nursing, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Ms Reynolds); Division of Cardiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Ivanova).
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
|May 27, 2025
Summary
Sepsis critically impacts the cardiovascular system, affecting blood pressure and heart rate. Nurses are vital in recognizing and managing these changes to prevent cardiovascular collapse in intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Sepsis and septic shock are common and severe conditions in intensive care units.
- Sepsis triggers a systemic inflammatory response impacting multiple organs, particularly the cardiovascular system.
- Cardiovascular dysfunction in sepsis involves venous dilation, arteriolar vasoconstriction, and increased heart rate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide nurses with practical guidance for recognizing cardiovascular instability in critically ill patients.
- To outline essential treatment strategies for improving patient outcomes in sepsis.
- To emphasize the critical role of nurses in early detection and intervention.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of clinical manifestations including blood pressure, heart rate, capillary refill, and mentation.
- Utilization of invasive monitoring, such as arterial lines.
- Analysis of laboratory markers of perfusion.
Main Results:
- Early recognition of cardiovascular changes is essential for preventing progression to cardiovascular collapse.
- Nurses' assessment skills are crucial for identifying sepsis-related cardiovascular instability.
- Timely intervention based on clinical and laboratory data improves patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Nurses play a pivotal role in managing cardiovascular complications of sepsis.
- Effective management requires a combination of vigilant assessment and prompt intervention.
- Improving patient outcomes in sepsis hinges on early recognition and treatment of cardiovascular instability.
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