Article

A survey of corticosteroid use for the management of septic shock

Published in: Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Volume 18 , issue 4 , 2012 , pages: 199–203

DOI: 10.1080/22201173.2012.10872853

Author(s): K Govender Department of Anaesthetics, , RN Rodseth Perioperative Research Group, Department of Anaesthetics,

Keywords: mineralocorticoids , adrenal cortex hormones , sepsis , critical illness , intensive care

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Abstract

Background: Critical illness is associated with pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, and may cause adrenal insufficiency that manifests as septic shock that is poorly responsive to fluid or inotropic therapy. Administering a low-dose corticosteroid to these patients results in faster shock resolution, but there is controversy regarding its effect on patient mortality. This survey aimed to describe how survey respondents are interpreting the current literature and using corticosteroids in patient management.

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