Update on Sepsis and Septic Shock in Adults

Abstract

Introduction. Sepsis is defined as a multiple organ dysfunction secondary to an infectious process that can progress to septic shock, increasing the risk of mortality. Recent findings pertaining to Sepsis allow us to perform early diagnoses and timely therapeutic treatments with short and medium-term reductions in mortality. Division of Covered Topics. Non-systematic literary research was conducted in databases and digital libraries (PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs), including articles in English and Spanish from 2005 to 2018 that included the topics of interest. A detailed description was made of the definition of sepsis and septic shock, their classification, physiopathology, diagnosis, hemodynamic monitoring and treatment. Conclusions. Sepsis is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate that requires a timely diagnosis. The diagnosis can be performed with the Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and quickly beginning empirical antibiotic treatment and reanimation guided by goals, as these measures have shown a reduction in fatal outcomes.