Abstract
Regardless of the site of infection, pathogenic microbes may enter the bloodstream and cause septic shock, which is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by hypotension, inadequate tissue perfusion, hypoxia, and metabolic acidosis. Circulatory insufficiency is initiated by bacteremia or by by-products of killed bacteria that cause cellular injury, activation of complement and coagulation, and release of vasoactive compounds. A presumptive diagnosis of septic shock is made when hypotension is preceded by chills and fever in association with tachycardia, tachypnea, oliguria, or mental obtundation.
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© 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation
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Cunningham, F.G., Leveno, K.J. (1985). Bacteremia and Septic Shock. In: Gleicher, N. (eds) Principles of Medical Therapy in Pregnancy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2415-7_45
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2415-7_45
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9471-9
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