The influence of a change in septic shock definitions on intensive care epidemiology and outcome: comparison of sepsis-2 and sepsis-3 definitions

Rob G. H. Driessen*, Marcel C. G. van de Poll, Marianne F. Mol, Walther N. K. A. van Mook, Ronny M. Schnabel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Clear definitions for septic shock assist clinicians regarding recognition, treatment and standardized reporting of characteristics and outcome of this entity. Sepsis-3 definition of septic shock incorporates a new criterion, a lactate level >2mmol/L. Differences in epidemiology and outcome of septic shock based upon both definitions were studied in an intensive care (ICU) population of septic patients. Methods: We analyzed a prospectively collected cohort of data in the ICU of the Maastricht University Medical Centre. 632 septic patients were included. ICU mortality was compared between the patient group fulfilling Sepsis-3 definition for septic shock and those that met Sepsis-2 definition. Furthermore, association between lactate levels and ICU mortality was studied. Results: Of 632 septic patients, 482 (76.3%) had septic shock according to Sepsis-2 and 300 patients (48.4%) according to Sepsis-3 definition, respectively. Patients meeting Sepsis-3 definition had a higher mortality than patients meeting Sepsis-2 definition (38.9 vs. 34.0%). Serum lactate levels between 2 and 4 mmol/L (25.0 vs. 26.2%, OR 0.94 (0.5-1.5)) and between 4 and 6 mmol/L (23.8 vs. 26.2%, OR 0.88 (0.4-1.7)) compared to levels <= 2 mmol/L were not associated with significantly higher ICU mortality. Serum lactate values 6 mmol/L, were significantly associated with increased ICU mortality. Conclusion: Patients classified according to Sepsis-3 criteria had a higher ICU mortality compared with Sepsis-2 criteria. Lactate levels <6mmol/L were not able to identify patients with increased ICU mortality. Lactate threshold of 2 mmol/L may be too low to point out patients with actual increased ICU mortality.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-213
Number of pages7
JournalInfectious Diseases
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Sepsis
  • Septic shock
  • Lactate
  • Epidemiology
  • Sepsis-2
  • Sepsis-3
  • INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS DEFINITIONS
  • UNITED-STATES
  • MORTALITY
  • LACTATE

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