Septic shock definition

Balk RA. Severe sepsis and septic shock Definitions, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations. Crit Care Clin 2000 16 179-192. 

Sepsis is a continuum of physiologic stages characterized by infection, systemic inflammation, and hypoperfusion with widespread tissue injury.1 The American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine developed definitions to utilize for sepsis (Table 79—l).2 They provide physiologic parameters categorizing patients as having bacteremia, infection, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, or multiple-organ-dysfunction syndrome (MODS).2 Standardized definitions have been developed for infections in critically ill patients.3... 

Abraham E, Matthay MA, Dinarello CA, et al. Consensus conference definitions for sepsis, septic shock, acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome time for a reevaluation. Crit Care Med 2000 28 232-235. 

---