Main Article Content

Septic shock


N Gray

Abstract

Septic shock continues to be a leading cause of surgical mortality. Between 1965 and 1971, 105 cases of septic shock were observed at a large teaching hospital in Glasgow. The diagnosis was made, in most cases, by the presence of refractory hypotension of doubtful origin and confirmed by positive blood cultures. Gram-negative organisms accounted for the majority of cases of bacteraemia. Sepsis was further suspected when thrombocytopenia was associated with leucocytosis. The metabolic acidosis present in cases of septic shock was due to lacticacidaemia.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 2033 (1974)

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574