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Krishnan K, Wassermann TB, Tednes P, Bonderski V, Rech MA. Beyond the bundle: Clinical controversies in the management of sepsis in emergency medicine patients. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 51:296-303. [PMID: 34785486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a condition characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The emergency department (ED) serves as a crucial entry point for patients presenting with sepsis. Given the heterogeneous presentation and high mortality rate associated with sepsis and septic shock, several clinical controversies have emerged in the management of sepsis. These include the use of novel therapeutic agents like angiotensin II, hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, thiamine ("HAT") therapy, and levosimendan, Additionally, controversies with current treatments in vasopressor dosing, and the use of and balanced or unbalanced crystalloid are crucial to consider. The purpose of this review is to discuss clinical controversies in the management of septic patients, including the use of novel medications and dosing strategies, to assist providers in appropriately determining what treatment strategy is best suited for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Krishnan
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America
| | - Travis B Wassermann
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America
| | - Patrick Tednes
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America; Department of Pharmacy, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America
| | - Veronica Bonderski
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America; Department of Pharmacy, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America
| | - Megan A Rech
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America; Department of Pharmacy, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States of America.
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Hager DN, Hooper MH, Bernard GR, Busse LW, Ely EW, Fowler AA, Gaieski DF, Hall A, Hinson JS, Jackson JC, Kelen GD, Levine M, Lindsell CJ, Malone RE, McGlothlin A, Rothman RE, Viele K, Wright DW, Sevransky JE, Martin GS. The Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) Protocol: a prospective, multi-center, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Trials 2019; 20:197. [PMID: 30953543 PMCID: PMC6451231 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3254-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis accounts for 30% to 50% of all in-hospital deaths in the United States. Other than antibiotics and source control, management strategies are largely supportive with fluid resuscitation and respiratory, renal, and circulatory support. Intravenous vitamin C in conjunction with thiamine and hydrocortisone has recently been suggested to improve outcomes in patients with sepsis in a single-center before-and-after study. However, before this therapeutic strategy is adopted, a rigorous assessment of its efficacy is needed. METHODS The Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) trial is a prospective, multi-center, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. It will enroll patients with sepsis causing respiratory or circulatory compromise or both. Patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous vitamin C (1.5 g), thiamine (100 mg), and hydrocortisone (50 mg) every 6 h or matching placebos until a total of 16 administrations have been completed or intensive care unit discharge occurs (whichever is first). Patients randomly assigned to the comparator group are permitted to receive open-label stress-dose steroids at the discretion of the treating clinical team. The primary outcome is consecutive days free of ventilator and vasopressor support (VVFDs) in the 30 days following randomization. The key secondary outcome is mortality at 30 days. Sample size will be determined adaptively by using interim analyses with pre-stated stopping rules to allow the early recognition of a large mortality benefit if one exists and to refocus on the more sensitive outcome of VVFDs if an early large mortality benefit is not observed. DISCUSSION VICTAS is a large, multi-center, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that will test the efficacy of vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone as a combined therapy in patients with respiratory or circulatory dysfunction (or both) resulting from sepsis. Because the components of this therapy are inexpensive and readily available and have very favorable risk profiles, demonstrated efficacy would have immediate implications for the management of sepsis worldwide. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03509350 . First registered on April 26, 2018, and last verified on December 20, 2018. Protocol version: 1.4, January 9, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N. Hager
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans Street, Suite 9121, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA
| | - Michael H. Hooper
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA USA
| | - Gordon R. Bernard
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Laurence W. Busse
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - E. Wesley Ely
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
- Tennessee Valley Veteran’s Affairs Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville, TN USA
| | - Alpha A. Fowler
- Division of Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The VCU Johnson Center for Critical Care and Pulmonary Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA USA
| | - David F. Gaieski
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Alex Hall
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
- Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Jeremiah S. Hinson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - James C. Jackson
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
- Tennessee Valley Veteran’s Affairs Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville, TN USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Gabor D. Kelen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Mark Levine
- Molecular & Clinical Nutrition Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Richard E. Malone
- Investigational Drug Service, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | | | - Richard E. Rothman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | | | - David W. Wright
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
- Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Jonathan E. Sevransky
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Greg S. Martin
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
- Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA USA
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