Early resuscitation is a key factor to limit progression to multiple organ dysfunction and death in patients with septic shock.^1,2 Shock is characterized by increased serum lactate levels and signs of tissue hypoperfusion including abnormal peripheral perfusion.²

Vasopressors are commonly applied to restore and maintain blood pressure in patients with sepsis. We aimed to evaluate the current practice and therapeutic goals regarding vasopressor use in septic shock as a basis for future studies and to provide some recommendations on their use. From November 2016 to April 2017, an anonymous web-based survey on the use of vasoactive drugs was accessible to members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). A total of 17 questions focused on the profile of respondents, triggering factors, first choice agent, dosing, timing, targets, additional treatments, and effects of vasopressors. We investigated whether the answers complied with current guidelines. In addition, a group of 34 international ESICM experts was asked to formulate recommendations for the use of vasopressors based on 6 questions with sub-questions (total 14). A total of 839 physicians from 82 countries (65% main specialty/activity intensive care) responded. The main trigger for vasopressor use was an insufficient mean arterial pressure (MAP) response to initial fluid resuscitation (83%). The first-line vasopressor was norepinephrine (97%), targeting predominantly a MAP > 60–65 mmHg (70%), with higher targets in patients with chronic arterial hypertension (79%). The experts agreed on 10 recommendations, 9 of which were based on unanimous or strong (≥ 80%) agreement. They recommended not to delay vasopressor treatment until fluid resuscitation is completed but rather to start with norepinephrine early to achieve a target MAP of ≥ 65 mmHg. Reported vasopressor use in septic shock is compliant with contemporary guidelines. Future studies should focus on individualized treatment targets including earlier use of vasopressors.

Importance: The optimal strategy for hemodynamic resuscitation in early septic shock remains uncertain. Objective: To determine the effect of a personalized hemodynamic resuscitation protocol targeting capillary refill time (CRT-PHR) on a hierarchical composite outcome of mortality, duration of vital support, and length of hospital stay. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 86 centers in 19 countries. Patients within the first 4 hours of septic shock were included between March 2022 and April 2025, with last follow-up in July 2025. Interventions: Patients were randomized to undergo CRT-PHR (n = 720), including assessment of pulse pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, fluid responsiveness, and bedside echocardiography, to tailor fluids, vasopressors, and inotropes, vs usual care (n = 747). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a hierarchical composite of mortality, duration of vital support (vasoactives, mechanical ventilation, and kidney replacement therapy), and length of hospital stay assessed at 28 days. A win ratio was calculated for the primary outcome by comparing all possible patient pairs, starting with the first event in the hierarchy and stratified by median APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score at admission. Secondary outcomes were mortality, vital support–free days, and length of hospital stay at 28 days. Results: From 1501 randomized patients, 1467 were included in the primary analysis (mean age, 66 [17] years; 43.3% female). There were 131 131 wins (48.9%) in the CRT-PHR group vs 112 787 (42.1%) in the usual care group for the hierarchical composite primary outcome, with a win ratio of 1.16 (95% CI, 1.02-1.33; P = .04). Individual wins for death were 19.1% vs 17.8%; duration of vital support, 26.4% vs 21.1%; and length of hospital stay, 3.4% vs 3.2% in the intervention vs usual care groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with early septic shock, a personalized hemodynamic resuscitation protocol targeting capillary refill time was superior to usual care for the primary composite outcome, primarily due to a lower duration of vital support. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05057611

Acute circulatory dysfunction in patients with sepsis can evolve rapidly into a progressive stage associated with high mortality. Early recognition and adequate resuscitation could improve outcome. However, since the spectrum of clinical presentation is quite variable, signs of hypoperfusion are frequently unrecognized in patients just admitted to the emergency department (ED). Hyperlactatemia is considered a key parameter to disclose tissue hypoxia but it is not universally available and getting timely results can be challenging in low resource settings. In addition, non-hypoxic sources can be involved in hyperlactatemia, and a misinterpretation could lead to over-resuscitation in an unknown number of cases. Capillary refill time (CRT) is a marker of peripheral perfusion that worsens during circulatory failure. An abnormal CRT in septic shock patients after ICU-based resuscitation has been associated with poor outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal CRT in patients with sepsis-related hyperlactatemia in the early phase after ED admission, and its relationship with outcome. We performed a prospective observational study. Septic patients with hyperlactemia at ED admission subjected to an initial fluid resuscitation (FR) were included. CRT and other parameters were assessed before and after FR. CRT-normal or CRT-abnormal subgroups were defined according to the status of CRT following initial FR, and major outcomes were registered. Ninety-five hyperlactatemic septic patients were included. Thirty-one percent had abnormal CRT at ED arrival. After FR, 87 patients exhibited normal CRT, and 8 an abnormal one. Patients with abnormal CRT had an increased risk of adverse outcomes (88% vs. 20% p<0.001; RR 4.4 [2.7–7.4]), and hospital mortality (63% vs. 9% p<0.001; RR 6.7 [2.9–16]) as compared to those with normal CRT after FR. Specifically, CRT-normal patients required less frequently mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and ICU admission, and exhibited a lower hospital mortality. Hyperlactatemic sepsis patients with abnormal CRT after initial fluid resuscitation exhibit higher mortality and worse clinical outcomes than patients with normal CRT.

Introduction: Venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (Pv-aCO₂) may reflect the adequacy of blood flow during shock states. We sought to test whether the development of Pv-aCO₂ during the very early phases of resuscitation is related to multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes in a population of septic shock patients resuscitated targeting the usual oxygen-derived and hemodynamic parameters. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in a 60-bed mixed ICU in a University affiliated Hospital. 85 patients with a new septic shock episode were included. A Pv-aCO2 value ≥ 6 mmHg was considered to be high. Patients were classified in four predefined groups according to the Pv-aCO2 evolution during the first 6 hours of resuscitation: (1) persistently high Pv-aCO2 (high at T0 and T6); (2) increasing Pv-aCO2 (normal at T0, high at T6); (3) decreasing Pv-aCO2 (high at T0, normal at T6); and (4) persistently normal Pv-aCO2 (normal at T0 and T6). Multiorgan dysfunction at day-3 was compared for predefined groups and a Kaplan Meier curve was constructed to show the survival probabilities at day-28 using a log-rank test to evaluate differences between groups. A Spearman-Rho was used to test the agreement between cardiac output and Pv-aCO2. Finally, we calculated the mortality risk ratios at day-28 among patients attaining normal oxygen parameters but with a concomitantly increased Pv-aCO2. Results: Patients with persistently high and increasing Pv-aCO₂ at T6 had significant higher SOFA scores at day-3 (p < 0.001) and higher mortality rates at day-28 (log rank test: 19.21, p < 0.001) compared with patients who evolved with normal Pv-aCO₂ at T6. Interestingly, a poor agreement between cardiac output and Pv-aCO₂ was observed (r² = 0.025, p < 0.01) at different points of resuscitation. Patients who reached a central venous saturation (ScvO)₂ ≥ 70% or mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂) ≥ 65% but with concomitantly high Pv-aCO₂ at different developmental points (i.e., T0, T6 and T12) had a significant mortality risk ratio at day-28. Conclusion: The persistence of high Pv-aCO₂ during the early resuscitation of septic shock was associated with more severe multi-organ dysfunction and worse outcomes at day-28. Although mechanisms conducting to increase Pv-aCO2 during septic shock are insufficiently understood, Pv-aCO₂ could identify a high risk of death in apparently resuscitated patients.