Sepsis and Covid (20% of all deaths to now what?)The Lancet
In 2017, an estimated 48·9 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·9–62·9) incident cases of sepsis were recorded worldwide and 11·0 million (10·1–12·0) sepsis-related deaths were reported, representing 19·7% (18·2–21·4) of all global deaths.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)32989-7/fulltext
The above is pre-Covid
Glogal Sepsis Alliance
Now that more scientific data are available on COVID-19, the Global Sepsis Alliance can more definitively state that COVID-19 does indeed cause sepsis. Sepsis is “a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.” In the case of COVID-19, the effects on the respiratory system are well-known, with most people requiring hospital admission developing pneumonia of varying severity; however, virtually all other organ systems can be affected. This is consistent with a combination of direct viral invasion and sepsis. For example, in a recently published case series of severe COVID-19 cases from the Seattle area in the United States, over 30% had evidence of liver injury and 75% had evidence of a depressed immune response1; another series from the same region reported acute kidney failure in almost 20% of affected patients requiring ICU care 2, and both series reported septic shock severe enough to require drugs to support the heart and circulation in almost 70% of patients.
https://www.global-sepsis-alliance.org/news/2020/4/7/update-can-covid-19-cause-sepsis-explaining-the-relationship-between-the-coronavirus-disease-and-sepsis-cvd-novel-coronavirus
Chest Journal
COVID-19 is sepsis caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus for which there is little in the way of antimicrobial therapy. Because it is sepsis, known tenets of sepsis care and organ support must be our guiding principles. Surprisingly, a key lesson that we must take from the war on this viral sepsis is that we must redouble our efforts to be stewards of antimicrobials and ensure that we have adequate means to control bacterial and fungal infection. Moreover, it is critical that high priority be given to randomized controlled trials that are testing drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 and the ensuing sepsis. As we face subsequent waves of this plague, patients will do better if we are both able and prepared to provide more than just supportive care.
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(20)31952-8/fulltext
W.H.O.
WHO calls for global action on sepsis - cause of 1 in 5 deaths worldwide
“The world must urgently step up efforts to improve data about sepsis so all countries can detect and treat this terrible condition in time,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This means strengthening health information systems and ensuring access torapid diagnostic tools, and quality care including safe and affordable medicines and vaccines.”
https://www.who.int/news/item/08-09-2020-who-calls-for-global-action-on-sepsis---cause-of-1-in-5-deaths-worldwide
(aside: if just 1 EAA test kit was used as a diagnostic/triage tool in just 1% of the sepsis cases each year - to rule out the more deadly endotoxemic version - it would drive $ 100M in revenue to Spectral. Countless lives might be saved simply thru earlier administration of antibiotics - leaving aside the potential for more effective treatments such as potentially, hemoperfusion)
WHO is beating the drum, but who is beating the drum ?
MM