Septic shock is a medical emergency that is caused by a systemic infection in the body. This infection leads to a response by the immune system of releasing cytokines which leads to a cytokine storm. Subsequently, this action causes an increase in capillary permeability which makes blood vessels leak or shift fluid from the intravascular space. This causes lower systemic vascular resistance and hypotension.

It is important to recognize the symptoms of septic shock and act as fast as possible to prevent the death of the patient.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine created the Surviving Sepsis Campaign which has resources on sepsis and septic shock. One of these resources is the 1--Hr bundle which indicates the following: Measure the lactate levels of patients going through septic shock, obtain blood cultures BEFORE administering IV antibiotics, administer broad-spectrum IV antibiotics, initiate rapid IVF resuscitation by administering 30 mL/kg crystalloid for hypotension or lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L, start vasopressors if hypotension persists during or after fluid resuscitation and maintain a MAP >65 ( Levophed is 1st line of choice).

You can learn about septic shock, sepsis, and the 1-hr bundle on the Society of Critical Care Medicine website at https://www.sccm.org/SurvivingSepsisCampaign/Home