[Cardiovascular dysfunction in sepsis].

Besides adequate and early antimicrobial therapy, goal-directed haemodynamic in-terventions are crucial for survival of severe sepsis and septic shock. Although cardiac output often is restored in the early phase of sepsis syndrome significant left- and right ventricular impairment may already be present. Clinical presentation, invasive blood pressure tracing and echocardiographic evaluation are pivotal for early recognition, diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic interventions.