Current therapy for sepsis

This article addresses general management principles in patients with sever e sepsis and septic shock. Included are identification and control of infec tion nidus, typical choices for antibiotic therapy based on empiric coverag e, and specific locations of infections and specific organisms. Initial att ention to airway, breathing, and circulation is addressed. Considerable att ention is directed to the use of monitoring to guide definitive therapy of hemodynamic derangements and organ hypoperfusion. Monitoring tools and phys ical examination guide choices of volume resuscitation and vasopressor ther apy. Supportive therapy, such as transfusions, nutrition, and preventive me asures are discussed in the management of the septic patient.