What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to establish consensus criteria for defining refractory septic shock in critical care settings.

March 26, 2026

Clinical Criteria for the Definition of Refractory Septic Shock: A Joint Delphi Consensus from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM)

Key Points

The aim is to establish consensus criteria for defining refractory septic shock in critical care settings.
Consensus development using the Delphi technique
Evaluation of clinical criteria regarding refractory septic shock
Involvement of SCCM and ESICM expert panels
Thirteen criteria established for defining refractory septic shock
Criteria include elevated lactate and prolonged capillary refill
Patients are fluid unresponsive and require high norepinephrine doses

Abstract

A consensus for 13 criteria to frame the definition of refractory septic shock was reached. Refractory septic shock is characterised by persistently elevated lactate concentrations and or prolonged capillary refill time in patients with septic shock who are fluid unresponsive, require a norepinephrine base equivalent dose greater than 0.5 micrograms per kilogram per minute, and undergo CCUS assessment when mixed shock is suspected.

Bookmark

Clinical Criteria for the Definition of Refractory Septic Shock: A Joint Delphi Consensus from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM)

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study