title: Corticosteroids for the treatment of septic shock.
abstract: Despite the substantial amount of data supporting the use of glucocorticoids in experimental models in septic shock, patients with severe sepsis and signs of deteriorating hemodynamic status or organ function do not benefit from glucocorticoid administration as given under the conditions of two well-done prospective, controlled trials. In fact, some glucocorticoid-treated patient subgroups showed increased mortality. Thus, the conclusion must be drawn that, despite potential theoretical and experimental value, glucocorticoids should not be used in the septic patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Sheagren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids