SIRS, Sepsis, Septic Shock

l   SIRS: 2 or more of the following are present:

Heart rate > 90 beats per minute

Body temperature < 36 or > 38°C

Tachypnea (high respiratory rate) > 20 breaths per minute or, on blood gas, a PaCO2 < 4.3 kPa (32 mm Hg)

White blood cell count < 4000 cells/mm³ or > 12000 cells/mm³, or the presence of greater than 10% immature neutrophils.

l   SIRS+Infection=Sepsis

l   To diagnose septic shock the following two criteria must be met:

Evidence of infection, through a positive blood culture.

Refractory hypotension - hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation and cardiac output.