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Sepsis and Septic Shock

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Penetrating Trauma

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Abstract

This chapter outlines the essentials and most current concepts and understanding of the relevant epidemiology, definitions, pathogenesis, diagnosis and investigation, and management principles of patients with sepsis and septic shock in a pragmatic and evidence-based fashion, and as may be pertinent to patients with penetrating trauma. Sepsis and septic shock are common and should be regarded as medical emergencies. Patients with penetrating trauma are at high risk for the development of sepsis and its associated sequelae. Early recognition, focussed fluid administration and haemodynamic support, source control, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are the cornerstones that offer the best possible survival outcomes for patients suffering from sepsis and septic shock. Appropriate supportive measures and post sepsis care are important and integral components of care that further enhance outcomes. Adherence to these principles which are based on current best practice, is key to reducing the burden of resulting disease, death, and disability from sepsis and septic shock in patients with penetrating trauma.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Divisions of Critical Care and Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Mervyn Mer

  2. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kepler University Hospital and Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria

    Martin W. Dünser

Authors
  1. Mervyn Mer
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  2. Martin W. Dünser
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Correspondence to Mervyn Mer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Elias Degiannis

  2. Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg / Saar, Germany

    Dietrich Doll

  3. Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    George C. Velmahos

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Mer, M., Dünser, M.W. (2023). Sepsis and Septic Shock. In: Degiannis, E., Doll, D., Velmahos, G.C. (eds) Penetrating Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47006-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47006-6_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-47005-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-47006-6

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