Table 1

Indices of sepsis-induced tissue hypoperfusion

Measure
Details

Indices of global hypoperfusion
Hypotension

Tachycarda

Oliguria

Delayed capillary refill

Clouded sensorium

Elevated blood lactate

Low mixed venous O2 saturation
Indices of regional hypoperfusion
Markers of organ function

     Cardiac: myocardial ischemia

     Renal: decreased urine output, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine

     Hepatic: increased transaminases, increased lactate dehydrogenase, increased bilirubin

     Splanchnic: stress ulceration, ileus, malabsorbtion

Direct assessment

     Tonometry: increased gastric mucosal CO2 tension

     Sublingual capnometry: increased sublingual CO2 tension

     Near infrared spectroscopy: decreased tissue O2 saturation

     Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging: low flow velocity score

Zanotti Cavazzoni and Dellinger Critical Care 2006 10(Suppl 3):S2   doi:10.1186/cc4829