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Sepsis & Renal Failure Treatment

Sepsis is a serious condition occurring when the immune system reacts to an infection in a way that damages other tissues far from the source, according to the Mayo Clinic. As it progresses, sepsis affects the functionality of various organs in the body and may eventually lead to septic shock, a severe drop in blood pressure that is sometimes fatal. A condition called multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) can result from sepsis, and it can cause the failure of several organs, including kidney (renal) failure. Treating sepsis aggressively before it reaches this stage is essential.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Early treatment of sepsis will begin with antibiotics, even before the source of infection is identified. A broad spectrum of antibiotics will be administered intravenously that are effective against a variety of bacteria. After testing, it may be appropriate to switch antibiotics or eliminate some in the original dose. Even the beginning of treatment of this condition is likely to take place in an intensive care unit in a hospital and the patient may require lifesaving measures to stabilize breathing and heart function.

    Vasopressors and Other Meds

    • If the blood pressure remains dangerously low after administration of fluids into the system, the patient may be given vasopressors that constrict blood vessels and help boost blood pressure and prevent it from dropping further, according to the Mayo Clinic.

      Other medications involved with the recovery of sepsis may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the affected areas of the body or insulin to help maintain normal blood sugar levels.

    Therapy and Dialysis

    • In severe cases of sepsis, intravenous fluids and oxygen are often required and breathing therapy machines may be required to survive. Dialysis may also be involved in the case of sepsis and MODS triggering renal failure. Surgery may also be needed to remove the source of the initial infection once it is determined.

    Clinical Diagnosis

    • The sepsis syndrome is recognized clinically by the patient's ability to meet two or more of the following criteria. The patient must have a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or less than 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit. He must have a heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute, or have a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute. The white blood cell count in the patient must be greater than 12,000 cells per micro liter or less than 4,000 cells per micro liter.
      Fever, chills, sweating, alteration in mental function and hyperventilation are all symptoms of sepsis as well, according to Medscape.com.

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