Abstract
The mechanisms for many of the changes that occur in the sepsis syndrome have eluded investigators for years. Despite the fact that we have made great progress in evaluating the role of the coagulation, complement, arachidonic acid and other systems in the sepsis syndrome, we have not been able to clearly differentiate the initiating event causing the alterations from the “innocent bystanders”. Without a clearer understanding of the epidemiology and the pathophysiologic mechanisms causing the changes in the sepsis syndrome, it may be unrealistic to expect major improvement in survival with our current therapeutic modalities. The present chapter will summarize some of the animal and human data concerning the use of corticosteroids in the sepsis syndrome. We have defined the sepsis syndrome as a spectrum of disease from early sepsis — a systemic response to invading microorganisms to septic shock. A more detailed review of the subject can be found elsewhere [1, 2].
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References
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© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Sprung, C.L., Schein, R.M.H. (1987). Corticosteroids in the Sepsis Syndrome. In: Vincent, J.L. (eds) Update 1987. Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83042-6_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83042-6_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-17576-6
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