Severe sepsis and septic shock - Definitions, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations

Sepsis and septic shock are frequently encountered disorders in the critica l care environment and are associated with increased morbidity and mortalit y. Despite an improved understanding of the pathogenesis and technological improvements in the support of the critically ill over the past couple of d ecades, the associated mortality rate from severe sepsis and septic shock i s still relatively high. This article reviews the current definitions and c ommon clinical manifestation of severe sepsis and septic shock.