A septic shock is a critical, life-threatening condition that leads to death in the majority of cases. In the final stage of sepsis, this happens with an extreme fall in blood pressure, where the heart can no longer adequately fill the dilated blood vessels with blood. The result is a shortage of vital organs, including the brain.
Septic shock: course
A septic shock always occurs only in connection with a previous blood poisoning (sepsis). This means that there is a pathogen that has reached the patient’s bloodstream and against which the immune system could not defend itself sufficiently. Small blood clots and inflammatory reactions throughout the body damage many vital organs.
In addition, the messenger substances of the immune system dilate the vessels in an attempt to continue to supply blood to all organs and body tissues. A reaction that overwhelms the heart to this extent, because at the same time large amounts of blood drown in the body periphery. So it comes in a septic shock to a sharp drop in blood pressure, which quickly takes life-threatening proportions.
risk factors
Certain groups of people are particularly at risk for sepsis or septic shock. In general, this applies to all persons whose immune system is not completely healthy or people who are exposed to large amounts of pathogens. Among the most endangered people are patients with:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diseases of the urinary / genital tract
- Catheters, implants, stents or prostheses
- recently performed surgical procedures
- Immunodeficiency (HIV / AIDS)
- Blood cancer (leukemia)
- long-term use of chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics or cortisone preparations
- Very young and very old patients
Septic shock: prognosis
A septic shock is a medical emergency and must be treated with intensive care. This will require a variety of treatment approaches. The patient is artificially ventilated (intubated). Furthermore, an attempt is made to maintain his blood pressure with vasoconstricting agents and infusions. By removing the source of infection, the doctors try to support the patient’s body in its fight against the infection. Nevertheless, about 60 percent of all patients die of this disease. The prognosis is worsened by the fact that most patients already had a weakened immune system before the septic shock. (see “Causes and risk factors” of septic shock).
One septic shock is a life-threatening illness that needs to be treated as quickly as possible. However, people who survive a septic shock often suffer long-term damage, for example, caused by the undersupply of particularly sensitive organs.