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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 1/2005

01-02-2004 | Commentary

Roundtable debate: Controversies in the management of the septic patient – desperately seeking consensus

Authors: Aaron B Waxman, Nicholas Ward, Taylor Thompson, Craig M Lilly, Alan Lisbon, Nicholas Hill, Stanley A Nasraway, Stephen Heard, Howard Corwin, Mitchell Levy

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2005

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Abstract

Despite continuous advances in technologic and pharmacologic management, the mortality rate from septic shock remains high. Care of patients with sepsis includes measures to support the circulatory system and treat the underlying infection. There is a substantial body of knowledge indicating that fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, and antibiotics accomplish these goals. Recent clinical trials have provided new information on the addition of individual adjuvant therapies. Consensus on how current therapies should be prescribed is lacking. We present the reasoning and preferences of a group of intensivists who met to discuss the management of an actual case. The focus is on management, with emphasis on the criteria by which treatment decisions are made. It is clear from the discussion that there are areas where there is agreement and areas where opinions diverge. This presentation is intended to show how experienced intensivists apply clinical science to their practice of critical care medicine.
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Metadata
Title
Roundtable debate: Controversies in the management of the septic patient – desperately seeking consensus
Authors
Aaron B Waxman
Nicholas Ward
Taylor Thompson
Craig M Lilly
Alan Lisbon
Nicholas Hill
Stanley A Nasraway
Stephen Heard
Howard Corwin
Mitchell Levy
Publication date
01-02-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc2940

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