The Pathophysiology and Treatment of Sepsis

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients in the United States. Yet the individual host response to septicemia is variable, depending on the patient's immune response, age, nutritional status, and coexisting conditions, as well as on the virulence of the organism and the size of the inoculum. This review examines evolving concepts of sepsis and discusses new and potential therapies. Recent clinical advances include therapy with activated protein C, stringent control of blood glucose, and early goal-directed therapy to treat cellular oxygen deficit. Future therapies may be focused on modulating the immune response in the light of the characteristics of the specific pathogen, the genetic profile of the patient, and the duration of the disease.