Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Septic Shock

One of the most frequent and serious problems confronting clinicians is the management of a serious infection and the systemic response to infection, a syndrome termed sepsis. When this syndrome results in hypotension and organ dysfunction, it is called septic shock. Septic shock is the most common cause of death in intensive care units,1 and it is the 13th most common cause of death in the United States2. The incidence of the two disorders continues to rise: 400,000 cases of sepsis and 200,000 episodes of septic shock are estimated to occur annually, resulting in more than 100,000 deaths1. . . .