Sepsis: a roadmap for future research
Publication Date
2015
Journal Title
Lancet Infect Dis
Abstract
Sepsis is a common and lethal syndrome: although outcomes have improved, mortality remains high. No specific anti-sepsis treatments exist; as such, management of patients relies mainly on early recognition allowing correct therapeutic measures to be started rapidly, including administration of appropriate antibiotics, source control measures when necessary, and resuscitation with intravenous fluids and vasoactive drugs when needed. Although substantial developments have been made in the understanding of the basic pathogenesis of sepsis and the complex interplay of host, pathogen, and environment that affect the incidence and course of the disease, sepsis has stubbornly resisted all efforts to successfully develop and then deploy new and improved treatments. Existing models of clinical research seem increasingly unlikely to produce new therapies that will result in a step change in clinical outcomes. In this Commission, we set out our understanding of the clinical epidemiology and management of sepsis and then ask how the present approaches might be challenged to develop a new roadmap for future research.
Volume Number
15
Issue Number
5
Pages
581-614
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2015/05/02
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Molecular Medicine
Additional Departments
Neurosurgery
PMID
DOI
10.1016/s1473-3099(15)70112-x