Clinical sepsis and septic shock--definition, diagnosis and management principles.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis remains a common problem in critically ill patients. DISCUSSION: Considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of sepsis and recent years have seen a surge of potential new therapeutic agents for sepsis. Definitions have been rethought and strategies proposed to better characterise patients with sepsis as the importance of individually targeted treatment packages has been realised. Current management aims to control infection, to achieve haemodynamic stabilisation, to modulate the immune response and to provide metabolic and organ support. As new therapies are introduced, treatment recommendations will need to be adapted accordingly.