Septic shock

Septic shock is the final common pathway of morbidity possible in most bacterial infections. However, mycobacterial, fungal, viral, protozoal, and other infections on occasion cause a similar syndrome. The sine qua non of septic shock is hypoperfusion of vital organs. The shock-like state is defined, more readily, by the accompanying fall in blood pressure. However, this may be misleading, and the goal of therapy must be normalized to perfusion rather than of blood pressure.