Abstract
The clinical spectrum of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock is responsible for a growing number of deaths and excessive health care expenditures. Until recently, despite multiple clinical trials, no intervention provided a beneficial outcome in septic patients. Within the last 2 years, studies that involved drotrecogin alfa (activated), corticosteroid therapy, and early goal-directed therapy showed efficacy in those with severe sepsis and septic shock. These results have provided optimism for reducing sepsis-related mortality.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
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Clinical Protocols
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Critical Care*
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Critical Illness
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Dopamine / therapeutic use
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Fibrinolytic Agents / economics
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Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
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Hemodynamics
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Hemostatics / therapeutic use
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Heparin / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Insulin / therapeutic use
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Multiple Organ Failure / prevention & control
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Protein C / economics
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Protein C / therapeutic use
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Recombinant Proteins / economics
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Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
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Respiration, Artificial
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome / prevention & control
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Sepsis / physiopathology
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Sepsis / therapy*
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Shock, Septic / physiopathology
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Shock, Septic / therapy
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Vasopressins / therapeutic use
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Fibrinolytic Agents
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Hemostatics
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Insulin
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Protein C
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Recombinant Proteins
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Vasopressins
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Heparin
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drotrecogin alfa activated
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Dopamine