The Treatment of Sepsis: FROM Failed Therapies to New Possibilities

Sepsis is the complex, systemic response to an infectious agent. It remains a global health care emergency that relies primarily on recognition by astute clinicians. The treatment of sepsis requires prompt attention to normalization of hemodynamic instability, introduction of appropriate antimicrobials, and supportive care, usually in a critical care setting. Despite several decades of preclinical research and clinical trials, to date there are no specific pharmacological agents identified that have successfully treated either the dysregulated inflammatory response or related disordered coagulopathy. This chapter provides a clinical overview of the treatment strategies that have been tried as well as the current standard of care.