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 Table of Contents  
REVIEW ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 30  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 971-977

Efficacy of early goal-directed therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock


1 Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt
2 Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt

Date of Submission08-Apr-2017
Date of Acceptance11-Jun-2017
Date of Web Publication04-Apr-2018

Correspondence Address:
Naglaa S Abd El-Hady Hammad
Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom
Egypt
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/mmj.mmj_263_17

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  Abstract 


Objective
The aim of this review was to present the current trends and methodologies of the use of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) and its efficacy in patients in severe sepsis and septic shock.
Data sources
Data were obtained from Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, and Science Direct) and from materials available on the Internet from the start date of each database to February 2017.
Data selection
The selected articles are systematic reviews and experimental studies that address EGDT in severe sepsis and septic shock.
Data extraction
Extraction was performed according to the validity, quality, and originality of the selected reviews and studies that fulfilled the previous criteria; in addition, the focus was on studies that present the latest or the most updated findings on application of EGDT.
Data synthesis
Each review and study was reviewed. The layout was selected to present a wide range of data including the most recent findings on this subject. Significant data were collected; thus, a structured review was performed.
Results
Most of studies conclude that EGDT is very important and its use markedly decreases mortality and morbidity in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
Conclusion
The main conclusion of the reviews and studies that were presented in the current research paper is that the use of EGDT in severe sepsis and septic shock reduces the length of hospital stay and reduces the hospital mortality rate in selected patients.

Keywords: early goal-directed therapy, hypotension, lactate, mixed venous oxyhemoglobin saturation, norepinephrine, sepsis, septic shock


How to cite this article:
Abu El-Einein KM, Abd El-Mohsen Shaaheen E, Samy NI, Abd El-Hady Hammad NS. Efficacy of early goal-directed therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock. Menoufia Med J 2017;30:971-7

How to cite this URL:
Abu El-Einein KM, Abd El-Mohsen Shaaheen E, Samy NI, Abd El-Hady Hammad NS. Efficacy of early goal-directed therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock. Menoufia Med J [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29];30:971-7. Available from: http://www.mmj.eg.net/text.asp?2017/30/4/971/229213




  Introduction Top


The protocol of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) refers to the administration of intravenous fluids within the first 6 h of patients' presentation with the use of physiologic targets to guide this fluid management.

Early goal-directed therapy targets

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least 65 mmHg (MAP = [(2 × diastolic) + systolic]/3).

Urine output of at least 0.5 ml/kg/h.

Central venous pressure (CVP) 8–12 mmHg.

Central venous (superior vena cava) oxyhemoglobin saturation (ScvO2) of at least 70% (when central access is available) or mixed venous oxyhemoglobin saturation (SvO2) of at least ≥65% (if pulmonary artery catheter is being used).

Lactate clearance should be followed[1].

The history of development of early goal-directed therapy

It began in the early 1990s; the EGDT Collaborative Group challenged the paradigm of sepsis care as an 'ICU disease' by applying similar urgent early diagnostic and therapeutic principles as that used in acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and trauma at the point of presentation in the emergency department[2].


  Background Top


The early hemodynamic and physiologic response to severe sepsis and septic shock in animals and human models of early sepsis, global tissue hypoxia results from hemodynamic changes that create an imbalance between systemic oxygen delivery and demands. These changes can include decreased vasomotor tone, hypovolemia, decrease in arterial oxygen content, myocardial depression, increase in metabolic demands, and impairment in systemic oxygen utilization through microcirculatory or mitochondrial derangements (cytopathic tissue hypoxia)[3].


  Patients and Methods Top


Search strategy

We reviewed papers on efficacy of EGDT in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock from Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape and Science Direct) and also from materials available on the internet. We used early goal-directed therapy septic shock, severe sepsis as searching items in the title of the papers. The search was performed in the electronic databases from the start date of each database to February 2017.

Study selection

Th e present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. All studies were independently assessed for inclusion criteria. They were included if they fulfilled the following criteria:

  1. Published in English language
  2. Published in peer-reviewed journals
  3. Focused on treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock
  4. Discussed protocol of EGDT and its role in the management of severe sepsis and septic shock
  5. If a study had several publications on certain aspects, we used the latest publication giving the most relevant data.


Data extraction

Data from each eligible study were independently abstracted in duplicate using a data collection form to capture information on study characteristics, interventions, and quantitative results reported for each outcome of interest. Conclusion and comments on each study were made. Significant data were collected, and then a structured review was performed with the results tabulated.

Quality assessment

The quality of all studies was assessed. Important factors were included, study design, attainment of ethical approval, evidence of a power calculation, specified eligibility criteria, appropriate controls, and adequate information and specified assessment measures. It was expected that confounding factors would be reported and controlled for and appropriate data analysis made, in addition to an explanation of missing data Selected recommendations from the 1999 Society of Critical Care Medicine practice parameters for hemodynamic support of sepsis in adult patients compared with early goal-directed therapy [Table 1][4].
Table 1: Selected recommendations from the 1999 Society of Critical Care Medicine practice parameters for hemodynamic support of sepsis in adult patients compared with early goal-directed therapy

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Data synthesis

A structured systematic review was performed with the results tabulated [Table 2] and [Table 3].
Table 2: Effect of early goal-directed therapy on mortality

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Table 3: Early goal-directed therapy and cost-effectiveness in hospitals in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

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  Results Top


The selected studies were 13; these studies were deemed eligible by fulfilling the inclusion criteria. They reported data about effect of EGDT on mortality reduction in hospitals and three of them reported data about cost-effectiveness reduction in hospitals using EGDT.

Effect on hospital mortality results

All selected studies presented data about the effect of using EGDT in severe sepsis and septic shock on hospital mortality and these results were tabulated [Table 2]. Seven of these studies reported a decrease in hospital mortality and six reported no difference on mortality.

Cost-effectiveness of early goal-directed therapy results

Three of these studies reported effect of EGDT on cost of hospitals and all showed marked cost reduction and the results are presented in [Table 3].

Huang et al.[17] in a formal cost-effectiveness analysis found that EGDT can provide up to a 23.4% reduction in hospital costs related to the treatment of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Similar findings have been noted by other investigators. Shapiro et al.[9] have reported a cost per life saved of $32 336 and Trzeciak et al.[10] found a reduction in median hospital facility charges from $135 199 to $82 233.


  Discussion Top


Sepsis is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder and also represents the immune system's response to infection. In the USA it affects more than 750 000 persons per year, with a prevalence of three cases per 1000 persons[18].

Etiology

The pathophysiology of process of sepsis involves a complex interaction of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators in response to pathogen invasion. These mechanisms lead to endothelium damage, vascular permeability, microvascular dysfunction, coagulation pathway activation, and impairment in tissue oxygenation resulting in the cascade of sepsis.

The systems most commonly affected are the respiratory system, genitourinary system, and gastrointestinal system, as well as the skin and soft tissue. These sites are involved in more than 80% of all cases of sepsis[19]. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and urinary infections are the most frequent infections, followed by pneumonia, cellulitis, and bacteremia. In patients with advanced cirrhosis, infection induces a systemic inflammatory response characterized by high circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines. This excessive proinflammatory response contributes to the development of sepsis-related organ failures and septic shock in cirrhosis[20].

Risk factors

Persons in the extremes of age are at a higher risk of developing sepsis. Patients older than 65 years have 13 times greater risk of developing sepsis and have a two-fold higher risk for death from sepsis independent of sex, race, comorbid associated conditions, and severity of illness[21].

Early management

Early management of sepsis requires stabilization of respiration. Supplemental oxygen should be given to all patients with sepsis. Mechanical ventilation is recommended when this supplemental oxygen fails to improve the oxygenation, when respiratory failure is reported, or when airway cannot be protected. The perfusion is then assessed after respiratory stabilization. Hypotension, when occurs, signifies inadequate tissue perfusion. The clinical signs of hypoperfusion include altered mental status, cold or clammy skin, oliguria or anuria, and lactic acidosis. After the initial respiratory stabilization, treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock consists of fluid resuscitation, vasopressor therapy, infection identification and control of the source, proper antibiotic administration, and the removal or drainage of the source of infection [Figure 1] and [Figure 2][2].
Figure 1: Management of sepsis[22]. Selected recommendations from the 1999 Society of Critical Care Medicine practice parameters for hemodynamic support of sepsis in adult patients compared with early goal-directed therapy

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Figure 2: Protocol for early goal-directed therapy for sepsis.

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Laboratory and radiographic studies

The recommended tests to be performed include the following: basic metabolic profile, complete blood count with differential, measurement of liver enzyme levels and lactate, coagulation profile, and urinalysis. Suspected pulmonary infections should be evaluated using arterial blood gas testing to assess hypoxemia and acid-base abnormalities and chest radiography. Suspected disseminated intravascular coagulation fibrin degradation products, d-dimer levels, and fibrinogen levels should be measured. Several biologic markers of sepsis, such as procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, activated partial thromboplastine time, and interleukin-6 may, have diagnostic and prognostic implications, although the lack of standardized assays limits their practical use. Pan cultures include the following: blood cultures (two peripheral and from each indwelling catheter), urine culture, stool culture (for diarrhea or recent antibiotic use), sputum culture, and skin and soft tissue culture. However, results of blood culture are negative in 50–65% of patients with sepsis[23].

Cerebrospinal fluid, joint, pleural, and peritoneal fluid should be examined as clinically indicated. Echocardiography is highly recommended to diagnose endocarditis as a source of sepsis, especially in patients with a heart murmur or suspected intravenous drug use. Assessment of pulmonary embolus requires chest computed tomography or ventilation perfusion scanning, and assessment of abdominal or pelvic infection, when suspected, requires abdominal and pelvic computed tomography.

Intravenous fluids

Intravascular hypovolemia in patients with sepsis is typical and may be severe and require rapid fluid resuscitation.

Volume: The adequate optimal volume of resuscitative fluid is unknown. Multiple studies of EGDT reported intravenous fluid infusions targeted to physiologic endpoints and resulted in a range of volume from 3 to 5 l[24].

Type of fluid: Evidence from randomized trials and meta-analysis have found no actual difference between using crystalloids (e.g., normal saline and Ringer's lactate) and albumin solutions in the treatment of severe sepsis or septic shock, but they have identified reported potential harm from the use of pentastarch or hydroxyethyl starch rather than a crystalloid solution[25].

Most of the physicians use the measurements of CVP to guide initial fluid therapy. After the first 12 h of sepsis, CVP is poor to predict hemodynamic response to fluid challenge. Thereafter, use of cardiac output monitoring systems to assess changes in arterial waveform is more accurate in predicting whether or not fluid is responsive. Survival rate increases with a positive fluid balance (i.e., intravenous fluid input minus urine output) of 3–4 l at 12 h[26].

Vasopressors

Vasopressors are the second-line agents in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock; we prefer intravenous fluids as long as they increase perfusion without seriously impairing gas exchange[27]. However, intravenous vasopressors are useful in patients who remain hypotensive despite adequate fluid resuscitation or who develop cardiogenic pulmonary edema. In most patients with septic shock, we prefer to use norepinephrine[28].

Antibiotic therapy

Early perfect choice of antibiotic therapy is associated with improved clinical outcomes. Consensus guidelines recommend antibiotic therapy within 1 h of suspected sepsis[29]. In septic shock, the initiation of antibiotic therapy within 1 h increases survival; with each hour antibiotic therapy is delayed, survival decreases by about 8%.

A 2010 meta-analysis included randomized or observational studies of antimicrobial therapy of serious bacterial infections potentially associated with sepsis or septic shock. Fifty studies that met entry criteria compared combination antibiotic therapy with monotherapy, and found that combination therapy demonstrated survival benefit and improved clinical response in patients who had septic shock. However, combination antibiotic therapy did not improve sepsis survival compared with monotherapy in hemodynamically stable patients. When there is a risk for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia, antipseudomonal combination therapy is recommended[30].


  Conclusion Top


EGDT in severe sepsis and septic shock results in significant reductions in mortality and reduction in hospital costs.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

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    Figures

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    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]



 

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