title: Can we predict septic shock in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia?
abstract: Hospital-acquired pneumonia is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication, with reported pneumonia-attributable mortality rates as high as 50%. Rapid diagnosis and immediate institution of adequate empirical antimicrobial treatment are of paramount importance in patient management. Nevertheless, some patients deteriorate and develop respiratory insufficiency, septic shock and a multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Early recognition of these patients might help in reducing morbidity and mortality. Elevated systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) at the time of diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia appear to be indicative of subsequent progression to septic shock. Should this now become a part of patient management?
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine, Infectious Diseases & Geriatrics, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dylan W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.forename: Marc J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonten
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers