Septic shock

Definition

Septic shock is a severe and potentially fatal condition that occurs when an infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure and abnormalities in cellular metabolism, significantly impairing the body's ability to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. It represents a systemic response, causing widespread inflammation and leading to significant alterations in the cardiovascular system's function.

Related terms

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS): A systemic inflammatory response to a variety of severe clinical insults, which can be triggered by infection but also by other non-infectious factors.

Vasodilation:

The widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, often contributing to decreased blood pressure seen in septic shock.

Hypotension: A condition characterized by abnormally low blood pressure, which is a key feature of septic shock and contributes significantly to its severity