Sepsis in Patients With Cirrhosis
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis are at high risk for sepsis and sepsis-related mortality. Aggressive treatment aimed at avoidance of hypoperfusion and prompt identification and treatment of the causative organism can improve patients' survival. Fluid administration is the first-line treatment to improve perfusion to vital organs; however, care should be taken to assess true intravascular volume status. In patients with adequate intravascular volume, vasopressors are then added to support blood pressure. Complications of cirrhosis often worsen in the setting of sepsis. Portosystemic encephalopathy, pulmonary complications, renal complications, adrenal insufficiency, malnutrition, and insufficient glucose control all must be considered and treated to support a patient with cirrhosis through sepsis. The quality of care that these patients receive ultimately influences their survival.
Medical Subject Headings
Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use); Critical Care (standards); Humans; Liver Cirrhosis (complications); Practice Guidelines as Topic; Sepsis (drug therapy, etiology, nursing)
Publication Date
10-1-2016
Publication Title
AACN advanced critical care
E-ISSN
1559-7776
Volume
27
Issue
4
First Page
408
Last Page
419
PubMed ID
27959297
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.4037/aacnacc2016716
Recommended Citation
McLaughlin, Diane and Shellenback, Lori, "Sepsis in Patients With Cirrhosis" (2016). Neurology. 1958.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1958