ICU Management & Practice, Volume 22 - Issue 2, 2022

img PRINT OPTIMISED
An overview of the haemodynamic management of patients in septic shock and strategies for detection of haemodynamic changes and appropriate therapeutic action to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Introduction

Sepsis is one of the main causes of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction, caused by dysregulated host response to infection (Singer et al. 2016). Septic shock is a public health problem, impacting millions of people worldwide every year, killing between one in three and one in six sufferers (Evans et al. 2021). It is one of the world’s leading causes of death. Overall mortality in patients hospitalised with sepsis can be up to 24.2% and is higher in patients with comorbidities (33.1 vs 19.1%) (Kaukoken et al. 2014). Septic shock has a mortality rate of ~40% (Singer et al. 2016).


Treatment of sepsis and septic shock consists of treating the infection with antibiotics and controlling the source of infection while providing adequate multi-organ support. The haemodynamic alterations that accompany septic shock involve a severe decrease in systemic vascular resistance (SVR), an initial increase in cardiac output (CO) due to decreased left ventricular (LV) afterload and increased cellular metabolic needs, in addition to relative hypovolaemia due to leakage of fluid through vessels or absolute hypovolaemia when the patient has had significant fluid loss or intolerance to oral fluids (e.g., sepsis of abdominal or post-surgical origin). In addition, chronic inflammation can lead to (relative) adrenal insufficiency and cardiomyopathy. Despite medical advances, the management of all these alterations remain challenging for the intensivist, who must focus on restoring tissue perfusion to increase oxygen delivery (DO2) to tissues and limit organ failure.


Fluid Therapy

Sepsis generates vasodilatation mediated by several proteins and toxins from microorganisms, leading to capillary leakage and decreased effective circulating blood volume with reduced venous return. These macro-haemodynamic effects lead to impaired tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction (Durgar et al. 2020). Considering these haemodynamic alterations, the management with intravenous (IV) fluids in these patients is currently debatable. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 guidelines were recently published, suggesting that during initial resuscitation for patients with sepsis-induced hypo-perfusion or septic shock, intravenous crystalloids should be administered at a dose of at least 30 ml/kg within the first three hours of resuscitation (Evans et al. 2021). While the document emphasises a change in the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence (from a strong recommendation with low quality of evidence in 2021), its appearance in the guideline as a standard dose may lead to incorrect prescribing of fluids, with potential harm to patients, especially those with comorbidities. There is limited evidence to recommend initial bolus IV fluids, most of which is based on retrospective studies. Recent studies on the initial bolus of IV fluids have reported contradictory results (Wang et al. 2021; Lee et al. 2021).


In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of the deleterious effect of IV fluid boluses and persistent positive fluid balance for more than two days, contributing to global increased permeability syndrome (GIPS) and multi-organ oedema, association with higher incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), increased days under mechanical ventilation (MV) and more days of hospital stay which can lead to multi-tissue oedema, thereby directly impacting ICU length of stay and mortality (Acheampong and Vincent 2015; Koonrangsesomboon et al. 2015; Sakr et al. 2017; Shen et al. 2018; Tigabu et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2021; Pérez-Nieto et al. 2021).


Experts recommend that the dose of fluids needed for initial and subsequent resuscitation in patients with septic shock should always be individualised according to the clinical characteristics of the patient and based on dynamic assessments of fluid responsiveness. An example of this is that a young patient without comorbidities is more likely to tolerate the administration of a large volume of fluid compared to a frail elderly patient with chronic cardiac or renal disease (Vincent et al. 2021). One of the many limitations of maintaining a fixed dose of fluids for patients with sepsis and septic shock is that the response to fluids decreases significantly over time elapsed from initiation of resuscitation (liquid responders: at 0 hours, only 57%; 2 hours, only 22%; 4 hours, only 11%; 6 hours, only 10%; and 8 hours, only 3%) (Hernández et al. 2019).


Physicians should avoid using static measures to assess volume status (e.g. central venous pressure) and volume response in these patients. To identify those patients who will or will not respond to fluid administration, it is advisable to use dynamic measures to estimate the effect of the additional volume on cardiac filling pressures and stroke volume (SV). Practical options are to administer a bolus of crystalloid fluids (usually no more than 500 ml, e.g., 3–4 ml/kg) or to passively raise the legs (which would produce a return of 200-300 ml of venous blood from the lower limbs), and then directly measure the change in systolic volume (e.g., with thermodilution, echocardiography, or pulse wave analysis). A 10–15% increase in SV is associated with an adequate fluid response. These changes can also be assessed by heart-lung interaction in patients on MV based on changes in intrathoracic pressure during the inspiratory and expiratory cycle, using pulse pressure variation (PPV), systolic volume, velocity-time integral (VTI) with Doppler ultrasound at LV outflow tract or arterial vessel level (e.g., carotid artery), and variation in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (ICV) or internal jugular vein (IJV) (Dugar et al. 2020). The greater the variability of any of these parameters (PPV, SV, VLT, etc), usually above 10-15%, the greater the response to IV fluids (in the absence of right ventricular dysfunction, common arrhythmias, significant tachycardia, and spontaneous and forceful ventilations). A recent randomised clinical trial in patients with sepsis, hypotension, and shock found that physiologically reported fluid and vasopressor resuscitation using passive leg raise induced systolic volume change to guide treatment was safe and effective in reducing net fluid balance, with reduced risk of renal and lung injury (Douglas et al. 2020).


Regarding the type of solutions to be administered, there is no benefit when comparing 0.9% saline versus balanced solutions (Finfer et al. 2022), the latter of which are more expensive. IV albumin may be useful when a significant dose of crystalloid solutions has already been administered or for patients with significant hypoalbuminaemia (Joannidis et al. 2022).


Vasopressors

Catecholamines

Since vasodilatation is the main cause of shock—not hypovolaemia—the administration of vasoconstrictive agents should be considered. The decision to initiate vasopressor therapy to achieve mean arterial pressure (MAP) goals must be balanced against potential adverse effects, including tachyarrhythmias and cardiac, intestinal, or peripheral ischaemia. Norepinephrine has been considered the first-choice vasopressor for more than a decade due to its effect on vascular alpha receptors to generate vasoconstriction and cardiac beta receptors which cause a modest inotropic effect. Patients with MAP <66 mmHg and those who require >2,000 ml of IV fluids are at a higher mortality risk (Sivayoham et al. 2020). Early initiation of norepinephrine has been shown to be safe and could limit the amount of fluid required during resuscitation, thereby improving patient outcomes (i.e., faster resolution of shock, reduced mortality) (Permpikul et al. 2019; Ospina et al. 2020). Epinephrine is considered a second-choice vasopressor agent that should be used in the absence of response to norepinephrine (with or without added vasopressin or in the absence of vasopressin availability) with caution due to its association with tachyarrhythmias, hyperlactataemia and ischaemia. Dopamine is currently not recommended as the vasopressor of choice in septic shock for its higher incidence of tachyarrhythmias compared with norepinephrine.


Vasopressin and analogues

Vasopressin is commonly considered a second-line agent, commonly used in vasoplegia. The VANISH clinical trial directly compared the use of vasopressin versus norepinephrine in patients with septic shock (in addition to hydrocortisone) and failed to demonstrate significant differences in a 28-day mortality; however, the use of vasopressin significantly reduced the risk of renal replacement therapy (Gordon et al. 2016). In terms of combination therapy, the VASST randomised clinical trial compared norepinephrine versus norepinephrine plus vasopressin (at low doses), finding no significant differences in mortality, neither at 28 days nor 90 days. However, in a subgroup analysis, patients with milder shock who received norepinephrine at doses <15 μg/min had increased survival with the addition of vasopressin (Russel et al. 2008). For adults in septic shock who are on norepinephrine administration while maintaining inadequate mean arterial pressure levels, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 suggests adding vasopressin rather than progressively increasing the dose of norepinephrine (when the dose of norepinephrine is in the range of 0.25-0.5 mcg/kg/min, as a weak recommendation with moderate quality of evidence). Terlipressin and selepressin are synthetic vasopressin analogues used in the management of patients with septic shock. Terlipressin was associated with reduced mortality in septic shock patients less than 60 years old and may also improve renal function but cause more peripheral ischaemia (Huang et al. 2020).


There are other vasopressor agents for the management of septic shock including IV methylene blue and angiotensin II. Despite their vasoconstrictor effect and increase in blood pressure, their availability is limited, and clinical trials have not shown a greater benefit in survival or days of shock when compared with norepinephrine. More studies are needed to assess their clinical utility (Scheeren et al. 2019).


The combination of persistent diastolic hypotension and its correlation with heart rate (HR) may reflect severe vasodilatory conditions. The diastolic shock index (heart rate/diastolic blood pressure) calculated before and during vasopressor use is an early identifier of patients at high risk of mortality when its value is above 2 (Ospina et al. 2020).


Corticosteroids

“Critical illness related corticosteroid insufficiency” has been defined as a condition in which the patient may not be able to produce the required amount of cortisol for survival. Patients in septic shock with a prolonged stay in the ICU have a particular risk of developing septic shock (Annane et al. 2017). It has recently been shown that the amount of cortisol produced by patients during critical illness is not much higher than that produced by healthy patients. The increased availability of systemic cortisol during critical illness is mostly driven by decreased binding proteins, reduced binding affinity of these proteins and suppression of cortisol degradation (Téblick et al. 2019). Randomised clinical studies have compared the use of corticosteroids versus placebo in patients with septic shock without direct survival benefits (Sprung et al. 2008; Venkatesh et al. 2018); however, these studies had an impact on vasopressor-free days and lower undesirable effects. Only one multicentre randomised clinical trial found a reduction in 90-day mortality with the administration of hydrocortisone combined with fludrocortisone for 7 days (no stepdown) (Annane et al. 2018).


Considering resource requirements, cost of intervention, and feasibility, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 gives a weak recommendation in favour of the use of low-dose corticosteroids in adults with septic shock who continuously require norepinephrine or epinephrine at doses ≥0.25 mcg/kg/min for at least 4 hours after initiation (Evans et al. 2021).


Inotropic Drugs

Sepsis induced myocardial dysfunction is recognised as an important contributor to the haemodynamic instability of persistent septic shock. It can manifest in multiple forms and affect both ventricles through primary myocardial cell injury (Beesley et al. 2018). It is characterised for being acute and reversible within the first 7–10 days and for presenting global biventricular dysfunction (systolic and/or diastolic) with contractility impairment and may present left ventricular dilatation. Septic cardiomyopathy is associated with decreased fluid and catecholamine response, contributing even more to haemodynamic deterioration (L’Heureux et al. 2020). After adequate fluid therapy and use of vasopressors, inotropic agents may be required if sepsis or septic shock leads to decreased cardiac output with persistent hypoperfusion.


There is no inotropic drug of choice, but epinephrine and dobutamine are the most employed drugs despite their lack of clinical benefit in multiple indirect comparison studies. It should be noted that both should be stopped in the absence of improvement of hypoperfusion or in presence of adverse events (Belletti et al. 2017; Wilkman et al. 2013). Despite scarce strong evidence in favour of their use to improve clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock, experts recommend their use when there is low cardiac output with clinical signs of hypoperfusion. Dobutamine is recommended as the inotrope of choice (Scheeren et al. 2021). According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 update, in adults with septic shock and cardiac dysfunction with persistent hypoperfusion despite adequate volume status and blood pressure, they suggest adding dobutamine to norepinephrine or using epinephrine alone (weak recommendation with low quality of evidence). They do not suggest using levosimendan due to the absence of benefit in clinical studies, in addition to its undesirable safety profile (e.g., increased risk of supraventricular arrhythmias), cost, and limited availability (Evans et al. 2021).


Negative Chronotropic Drugs

In the clinical stage of sepsis, the adrenergic system functions as an initial adaptive response to maintain homeostasis. However, excessive increases in catecholamines can cause adverse effects such as persistent tachycardia, which can lead to altered cardiovascular haemodynamic with worsening prognosis. There are multiple factors for tachycardia in sepsis (e.g., inflammatory state, fever, pain, etc.), but persistent tachycardia is likely to manifest as a non-compensatory arrhythmia due to sympathetic overstimulation (Hasegawa et al. 2021). A randomised clinical trial in patients with septic shock compared the use of esmolol (short-acting selective beta-1 blocker) against a control group, finding that esmolol was associated with reductions in heart rate to achieve primary endpoints without an increase in adverse events and lower mortality (Morelli et al. 2013). Several clinical studies have now been published with similar pharmacological interventions. A systematic review with meta-analysis of six randomised clinical studies (including 572 patients) on the effect of ultra-short-acting beta-blockers in patients with sepsis and persistent tachycardia despite initial resuscitation showed that the use of esmolol or landiolol in patients with sepsis and septic shock was significantly associated with lower mortality at 28 days, with no significant heterogeneity between the studies analysed (Hasegawa et al. 2021). Ivabradine has also been studied in patients with septic shock and persistent tachycardia, being safe but with questionable efficacy (Datta et al. 2021).




Discontinuation of Therapy

Intravenous fluids should be suspended as soon as possible. Fluid intake in the form of nutrition, drug vials, transfusions and so on should be considered. Positive fluid balance should be avoided for longer than two days. Regarding vasopressor withdrawal, the DOVSS study (prospective, randomised) evaluated the incidence of hypotension according to the order of vasopressor withdrawal in septic shock, demonstrating that gradual reduction of norepinephrine instead of vasopressin was statistically significantly associated with a higher incidence of hypotension (Jeon et al. 2018). A recent systematic review with meta-analysis that evaluated the effects of the order of norepinephrine and vasopressin interruption in the recovery phase of septic shock showed that norepinephrine interruption, before vasopressin, resulted in less hypotension, with no difference in mortality or length of hospital stay (Hammond et al. 2019). As for inotropic drugs used for myocardial dysfunction caused by sepsis, it is known that this complication is usually reversible within days and should be suspended upon evidence of improvement in LV systolic function, for which echocardiography can be very useful.


Goals of Macrohaemodynamic Resuscitation in Septic Shock

Recommendations indicate to maintain a mean arterial pressure target >65mmHg, compared to higher targets (as a strong recommendation with moderate quality of evidence (Evans et al. 2021); however, patients with systemic hypertension or chronic kidney disease may require a target >80 mmHg MAP for better results.


The ANDROMEDA-SHOCK study evaluated the use of capillary refill time (CRT) compared to serum lactate levels as a resuscitation strategy in patients with septic shock, finding that 28-day mortality was not statistically different between the two groups (Hernández et al. 2019). Nevertheless, a post-hoc analysis using Bayesian mixed logistic regression showed that peripheral perfusion-guided resuscitation can reduce mortality and lead to rapid resolution of organ dysfunction compared to lactate-guided resuscitation, the latter being associated with over-resuscitation with fluids, vasopressors, and inotropes (Zampieri et al. 2020).


Serum lactate has been strongly associated with mortality in critically ill patients, however, its usefulness in monitoring patients with sepsis is controversial. Although the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021 suggest guiding resuscitation to lower lactate levels in septic shock (Gómez and Kellum 2015), other causes associated with lactate elevation should be ruled out or assessed (e.g., acute liver failure, intestinal ischaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, adrenergic effect, etc.). It has also been shown that hyperlactataemia is often caused by impaired tissue oxygen utilisation (bioenergetics failure) in sepsis, rather than oxygen transport impairment as the single main cause. Thus, the current resuscitation strategy could be modified according to the origin of lactate excess (Marik 2019). Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) has prognostic value in critically ill patients. Levels <70% are associated with increased mortality; however, despite the recommendation to maintain a SvcO2 greater than this level (Rivers, 2008) through IV fluids, vasopressors, inotropes, transfusion of red blood cell concentrates and increased inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) have no impact on mortality.


Other invasive and minimally invasive monitoring strategies to improve the prognosis of patients in septic shock have been proposed (intrapulmonary and transpulmonary thermodilution, pulse wave analysis, etc.), but the perfect monitoring strategy that represents an improvement in outcomes, with the least possible invasiveness and at the lowest cost has not yet been developed. The best monitoring is done by the clinician who is aware of the haemodynamic changes in the patient and who takes appropriate actions based on the best available evidence.


Conclusion

Haemodynamic management of patients in septic shock is a challenge for the clinician. Detection of haemodynamic changes and appropriate therapeutic action with fluids, vasopressors, inotropes, corticosteroids and/or beta-blockers, combined with infection control can improve the prognosis of these patients.


Conflict of Interest

None. 

«« electronic Poor Outcome Screening (ePOS) Score


Delirium Motor Subtypes in ICU Patients »»

References:

Acheampong A, Vincent JL (2015) A positive fluid balance is an independent prognostic factor in patients with sepsis. Crit Care. 19:251.

 

Annane D, Pastores S et al. (2017) Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in critically ill patients (Part I): Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) 2017. Intensive Care Med. 43:1751–1763.

 

Annane D et al. (2018) Hydrocortisone plus fludrocortisone for adults with septic shock. N Engl J Med. 378:809–818.

 

Bakker J, Kattan E, Annane D et al. (2022) Current practice and evolving concepts in septic shock resuscitation. Intensive Care Med 48:148-163.

 

Datta PK, Rewari V, Ramachandran R et al. (2021) Effectiveness of enteral ivabradine for heart rate control in septic shock: A randomised controlled trial. Anaesth Intensive Care. 49(5):366-378.

 

Douglas I et al. (2020) Fluid Response Evaluation in Sepsis Hypotension and Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Chest.

 

Dugar S, Choudhary C, Duggal A (2020) Sepsis and septic shock: Guideline-based management. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.

 

Evans L, Rhodes A et al. (2021) Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Intensive Care Medicine.

 

Finfer S, Micallef S, Hammond N et al. (2022) Balanced Multielectrolyte Solution versus Saline in Critically Ill Adults. N Engl J Med. 386(9):815-826.

 

Gómez H, Kellum J (2015) Lactate in sepsis. JAMA. 313(2):194.

 

Gordon A, Mason A, et al. (2016) Effect of Early Vasopressin vs Norepinephrine on Kidney Failure in Patients With Septic Shock: The VANISH Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 316(5):509-518.

 

Hammond D, Sacha G et al. (2019) Effects of Norepinephrine and Vasopressin Discontinuation Order in the Recovery Phase of Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. Pharmacotherapy. 39(5):544–552.

 

Hasegawa D, Sato R, Nishida O (2021) β1-blocker in sepsis. J Intensive Care. 9, 39.

 

Hernández G, Ospina G et al. (2019) Effect of a resuscitation strategy targeting peripheral perfusion status vs serum lactate levels on 28-day mortality among patients with septic shock: The ANDROMEDA-SHOCK randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 321(7):654-664.

 

Hu B, Chen JCY, Dong Y et al. (2020) Effect of initial infusion rates of fluid resuscitation on outcomes in patients with septic shock: a historical cohort study. Crit Care. 24, 137.

 

Huang L, Zhang S, Chang W et al. (2020) Terlipressin for the treatment of septic shock in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiol. 20, 58.

 

Huang L, Zhang S, Chang W et al. (2020) Terlipressin for the treatment of septic shock in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiol. 20, 58.

 

Jeon K, Song J et al. (2018) Incidence of hypotension according to the discontinuation order of vasopressors in the management of septic shock: a prospective randomized trial (DOVSS) Critical Care.

 

Joannidis M, Wiedermann CJ, Ostermann M (2022) Ten myths about albumin. Intensive Care Med.

 

Kaukonen K et al. (2014) Mortality related to severe sepsis and septic shock among critically ill patients in Australia and New Zealand, 2000-2012. JAMA. 311(13):1308-1316.

 

Koonrangsesomboon W, Khwannimit B (2015) Impact of positive fluid balance on mortality and length of stay in septic shock patients. Indian J Crit Care Med. 19(12):708-13.

 

Lee H, Choi SH, Kim K et al. (2021) Effect of rapid fluid administration on the prognosis of septic shock patients with isolated hyperlactatemia: A prospective multicenter observational study. J Crit Care. 66:154-159.

 

Marik P (2019) Lactate guided resuscitation—nothing is more dangerous than conscientious foolishness. J Thorac Dis. 11(Suppl 15):S1969–S1972.

 

Ospina G, Hernandez G, Alvarez I et al. (2020) Effects of very early start of norepinephrine in patients with septic shock: a propensity score-based analysis. Crit Care.

 

Ospina G, Teboul J, Hernandez G et al. (2020) Diastolic shock index and clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock. Ann. Intensive Care.

 

Perez-Nieto OR, Wong A, Lopez Fermin J et al. (2021) Aiming for zero fluid accumulation: First, do no harm. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther. 53(2):162-178.

 

Permpikul C, Tongyoo S et al. (2019) Early Use of Norepinephrine in Septic Shock Resuscitation (CENSER): A Randomized Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 199(9):1097–1105.

 

Russell J, Walley K et al. (2008) Vasopressin versus Norepinephrine Infusion in Patients with Septic Shock. N Engl J Med. 358:877-87.

 

Sakr Y, Rubatto P et al. (2017) Higher Fluid Balance Increases the Risk of Death From Sepsis: Results From a Large International Audit. Crit Care Med. 45:386–394.

 

ScheerenTWL, BakkerJ, De BackerD et al. (2019) Current use of vasopressors in septic shock. Ann. Intensive Care. 9:20.

 

Shen Y et al. (2018) Time-related association between fluid balance and mortality in sepsis patients: interaction between fluid balance and haemodynamics. Sci Rep.

 

Singer M, Deutschman CS et al. (2016) The third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3). JAMA. 315:801–810.

 

Sivayoham N, Blake LA, Tharimoopantavida SE et al. (2020) Treatment variables associated with outcome in emergency department patients with suspected sepsis. Ann. Intensive Care. 10:136.

 

Sprung C et al. (2008) Hydrocortisone therapy for patients with septic shock. N Engl J Med. 358:111–124.

 

Téblick A, Peeters B et al. (2019) Adrenal function and dysfunction in critically ill patients. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 15:417-427.

 

Tigabu B, Davari M, Kebriaeezadeh A, Mojtahedzadeh M (2018) Fluid volume, fluid balance and patient outcome in severe sepsis and septic shock: A systematic review. J Crit Care.

 

Venkatesh B et al. (2018) Adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy in patients with septic shock. N Engl J Med. 378:797–808.

 

Vincent JL, Singer M, Einav S et al. (2021) Equilibrating SSC guidelines with individualized care. Crit Care.

 

Wang HL, Shao J, Liu WL et al. (2021) Initial fluid resuscitation (30 mL/kg) in patients with septic shock: More or less?Am J Emerg Med. 50:309-315.

 

Zampieri  F, Damiani L et al. (2020) Effect of a Resucitation Strategy Targeting Peripheral Perfusion Status vs Serum Lactate Levels on 28-day Mortality Among Patients with Septic Shock: A Bayesian Reanalysis of the ANDROMEDA-SHOCK Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 201(4):423-429.

 

Zhang L, Xu F et al. (2021) Influence of fluid balance on the prognosis of patients with sepsis. BMC Anesthesiol. 21:269.