Sepsis, Septic Shock Redefined in Consensus Statement Major changes in new update

The new definitions do away with the current use of two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria for sepsis diagnosis. Components of SIRS include tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia or hypothermia, and elevated white blood count. The new definition for sepsis includes evidence for infection, plus life-threatening organ dysfunction, which is clinically characterized by an acute change of two points or greater on the Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Septic shock is now defined to include sepsis with fluid-unresponsive hypotension, serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L, and the need for vasopressors to maintain mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg or greater. "These updated definitions and clinical criteria should clarify long-used descriptors and facilitate earlier recognition and more timely management of patients with sepsis or at risk of developing it," according to the task force's publication. "Sepsis is common and it is one of the top killers in U.S. hospitals and worldwide," task force member Christopher W. Seymour, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told MedPage Today. http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/SCCM/56323?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-02-23&eun=g721819d0r