Sepsis and septic shock: Deadly complications that are on the rise

Cardiovascular dysfunction continues to be the distinguishing feature of septic shock. The heart, as well as the peripheral vascular system, is severely depressed. Despite many technological advances, the high mortality rate with septic shock remains a major problem. Future advances in treatment will depend on methods that either bind the endotoxin itself or ??? endogenous mediators that are responsible for hemodynamic alterations.