At smaccChicago, I had the honor to host an incredible panel of Sepsis Experts. I think most everyone who heard it was left with more questions than answers. I have already posted a preemptive response to the panel here:

EMCrit Podcast Episode 154

In a few days, I will post a wee with some additional thoughts. I want to hear what you think--post your comments below.

The Blurb from the SMACC Folks

An all-star panel discuss the burning issues in sepsis right now. Hosted by Chris Nickson and I, the conversation on the controversial aspects of sepsis was lubricated with on-stage alcohol (my idea!)

Mervyn Singer (research guru, sepsis expert and self-proclaimed Sex-God) and Paul Marik (iconoclast and dogma-basher) reveal just how hard it is to describe what sepsis is. Flavia Machado (intensivist and researcher) brings common sense and the perspective from South America, representing middle-income countries. Kath Maitland (author of FEAST, African-based paediatrician and clinical trialist) talks about sepsis management issues in Africa, where sepsis strikes its biggest global impact. Heavyweight researcher and clinician John Myburgh, argues that the word “sepsis” should be removed from our language and turns the paradigm on its head, arguing for a more pragmatic approach to sepsis management. Simon Finfer (crit care clinician, clinical trialist, voice of reason) describes the history, the good, the bad and the ugly about the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines, and some of the controversy surrounding them.

There’s a fascinating, very high level discussion on antibiotics which is not as clear cut as you might imagine. You couldn’t discuss fluids without talking about fluids and this panel features several world experts on this topic. Kath Maitland’s insights from FEAST, combined with the opinions of the rest of the panel will hopefully leave you an informed agnostic.

 

We’d highly recommend watching this discussion with your colleagues at work and use it to spark more discussion on this incredibly important topic that still kills so many of our patients.

 

Additional Resources

Mortality after Fluid Bolus in Children with Shock Due to Sepsis or Severe Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exploring mechanisms of excess mortality with early fluid resuscitation: insights from the FEAST trial

John Myburgh on Fluids

Surviving Sepsis Guidelines

Simon Finfer on Sepsis in 2014

NEJM article on Sepsis by Angus et al

Now On to the Vodcast...