Early Regimen Improves Severe Sepsis Outcome

An early, aggressive regimen that includes monitoring central venous oxygen saturation (Scv02) has been shown to result in better outcomes for emergency department (ED) patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The research was presented at the 40th Anniversary Symposium on Critical care, Trauma, and Emergency Medicine in Las Vegas (NE, USA) by Dr. Emanuel Rivers of The Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit, MI, USA).

The study involved 263 patients treated for severe sepsis or shock during a three-year period. Nearly half of these were treated by an aggressive intervention called Early Goal-Directed Therapy (EGDT), which included continuous monitoring of a patient's Scv02. Low Scv02 is an important indicator of the blood-oxygen imbalance associated with severe sepsis and septic shock, which can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The study showed that patients receiving the aggressive treatment had a lower in-hospital mortality rate than those receiving standard care (30.5% vs 46.5%), lower incidences of organ failure, and shorter hospital stays (14.6 days vs 18.4 days).

"This study clearly shows the value of treating patients with severe sepsis or septic shock earlier and more aggressively in the ED, during the critical golden hours when patients' eventual outcomes often hang in the balance,” said Dr. Rivers, who headed the research team. The study builds on earlier work by Prof. Konrad Reinhart of the University of Jena (Germany), showing the value of Scv02 measurement as a diagnostic tool. The catheter used to monitor Scv02 in the study is the product of Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA; USA).




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Henry Ford Hosp.
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