Corticosteroids in sepsis: pathophysiological rationale and the selection of patients.
Corticosteroids have been proposed for decades as adjunctive therapy of severe infections. These drugs have complex mechanisms of action involving anti-inflammatory and vasoactive properties. However, due to discordant results from clinical studies, the use of corticosteroids to treat patients with severe infections is still a matter of intense debate in the scientific and medical community. In the present article, we review the underlying mechanisms related to the potential benefits of corticosteroids and their impact on clinical management of severe sepsis.
Intensive Care Unit and Post-graduate Program, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jorgesalluh@yahoo.com.br
Jorge Ibrain Figueira
JI
Salluh
Fernando Augusto
FA
Bozza
André Miguel
AM
Japiassú
Hugo Caire
HC
Castro Faria Neto
Patricia Torres
PT
Bozza
Pedro
P
Póvoa
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000276:immunology*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones