Sepsis in the ICU: are we missing the basics while chasing biomarkers?

Abstract

Sepsis remains one of the most challenging issues related to the intensive care unit, where the morbidity and mortality remain high, despite progress in diagnostic and treatment. Early identification, early administration of antibiotics, vigorous fluid therapy, source control, and following up with evidence-based bundles are the best approaches to use in mortality reduction. Sepsis is a potentially fatal syndrome of dysregulated host response to infection, which is one of the major causes of ICU hospitalizations all over the world.¹ The quest to develop biomarkers has provided hope in the context of precision medicine, the daily routine of sepsis care regularly fails in its simplest processes, which raises a major divide between aspiration and practice.²