Introduction
Sepsis can be caused by the body’s response to an infection, leading to organ failure, tissue damage, and death. The patient’s blood pressure and circulation drop precipitously when severe sepsis progresses to septic shock. Due to the issue’s significance, many researchers have begun to investigate it.
This paper is based on the study “Changes in Cytokines, Haemodynamics, and Microcirculation in Patients with Sepsis/Septic Shock Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Blood Purification with CytoSorb” by Zuccari et al. (2019). It will explain why sepsis is the leading cause of death in patients in non-cardiac intensive care units and how sepsis contributes to multi-organ failure. It will highlight the authors’ emphasis on the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, appropriate medical management, nursing interventions, and patient education to prevent sepsis/septic shock.
Summary of the Article
The 2019 study by Zuccari et al. aimed to find out if septic shock patients who got continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with CytoSorb had better microcirculation, hemodynamics, and cytokine profiles. Patients were given CRRT along with CytoSorb, and 44 took part in the study (Zuccari et al., 2019). After treatment, hemodynamics and microcirculation improved and were clinically significant. In addition, the patient’s levels of inflammatory cytokines went down. Some good clinical results from these changes are lower lactate levels, less need for vasopressors, and lower death rates.
The findings indicated that CRRT and CytoSorb treatment is beneficial in treating sepsis and septic shock. More research, however, is required to determine the underlying processes and the benefits of these treatments. The treatment improves microcirculation, which is critical for sepsis patients’ survival, and reduces the cytokine storm and inflammation that characterizes sepsis and septic shock. The findings of Zuccari et al. (2019) support the hypothesis that improving clinical outcomes by combining blood purification therapy with CRRT for treating sepsis and septic shock is feasible.
Summary of Key Terms
The etiology of sepsis and septic shock is from a wide range of infections, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, as discussed by Zuccari et al. (2019). Furthermore, they stress the importance of finding out the cause, such as a weakened immune system, a long-term illness, or invasive medical procedures. Zuccari et al. (2019) go into more detail about the clinical manifestations of sepsis and septic shock, such as fever, chills, a fast heart rate, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and confusion. They point out that severe sepsis leads to septic shock, which is fatal and causes multiple organs to stop working. Diagnostic tests, described by Zuccari et al. (2019), help determine if a patient has sepsis or septic shock, and they include the observation of the symptoms.
The authors identify appropriate medical management for sepsis and septic shock, such as administering antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and vasopressors to keep blood pressure regular. They explain, in particular, the proven effective management of septic shock and sepsis through CRRT and CytoSorb for blood purification. The article describes various nursing interventions for treating sepsis and septic shock. These interventions include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and providing supportive care.
According to Zuccari et al. (2019), patient teaching is a method that aids in the prevention of sepsis and septic shock. It teaches patients the importance of practicing hand hygiene, caring for wounds properly, and recognizing symptoms early. Septic shock and sepsis are preventable if followed by a healthy lifestyle and recommended vaccinations.
Sepsis/Septic Shock as the Leading Cause of Death in Noncoronary ICU Patients
Due to the severity and lethality of these infection-related complications, patients in noncoronary intensive care units frequently succumb to sepsis and septic shock. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) estimates that over 350,000 people in the United States die from sepsis yearly. Organ damage or failure may occur when an infection enters the bloodstream and causes a systemic inflammatory response known as sepsis or septic shock.
If the inflammatory response to an infection, also known as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is not controlled, a potentially fatal complication known as sepsis may develop. Septic shock, also known as severe sepsis, causes blood pressure to drop so dramatically that oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the organs. A drop in blood pressure distinguishes severe sepsis. As a result, organs fail, and the person may die.
Sepsis Contribution to Multi-Organ Failure
The damaging and inflammatory effects of sepsis result from a chain of events triggered by the infection. Sepsis-induced blood vessel inflammation and clotting reduce blood flow to organs, depriving them of oxygen and leading to organ failure (Minasyan & Flachsbart, 2019). Sepsis’ assault on the body’s cells and tissues results in organ failure and cell death.
The respiratory, central nervous, hepatobiliary, and cardiovascular systems are the most affected by sepsis. When one organ fails, it devastates the others, increasing the patient’s chances of death. Since the organs are overworked while fighting the infection, organ dysfunction or failure is joint in sepsis patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, more studies are required to identify the factors that led to the success of these programs. If the healthcare provider can manage the patient’s sepsis quickly enough, the patient will not develop multi-organ failure. According to the article, patients with septic shock treated with CRRT and CytoSorb showed improvements in microcirculation, hemodynamics, and cytokine profiles. The failure of a single organ can severely compromise the patient’s overall health. It is necessary to manage the condition to prevent death when fighting an infection because the body’s organs are pushed to their limits and become dysfunctional or fail.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What is sepsis? Web.
Minasyan, H., & Flachsbart, F. (2019). Blood coagulation: A powerful bactericidal mechanism of human innate immunity. International Reviews of Immunology, 38(1), 3–17. Web.
Zuccari, S., Damiani, E., Domizi, R., Scorcella, C., D’Arezzo, M., Carsetti, A., Pantanetti, S., Vannicola, S., Casarotta, E., Ranghino, A., Donati, A., & Adrario, E. (2019). Changes in cytokines, Haemodynamics and microcirculation in patients with sepsis/septic shock undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and blood purification with CytoSorb. Blood Purification, 49(1-2), 107–113. Web.