Abstract

Septic shock during the perioperative period imparts significant challenges for anesthetic management. There is increasing support for standardization of care using evidence-based, international consensus guidelines, such as the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. This review will highlight practices in the supportive management relevant to the perioperative care of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and their effect on clinical outcomes. It will address the epidemiological data of sepsis, the diagnostic criteria, and the role of routine, goal-directed hemodynamic resuscitation. Furthermore, it will review other options for support, including antibiotics, intensive insulin therapy, and intensive care sedation in this high risk patient population.

Keywords: Severe sepsis, septic shock, and outcomes research