Fluid Management in Sepsis

Abstract

Adequate fluid management in sepsis requires a thoughtful approach. While early aggressive fluid therapy is generally required, one should also be aware of the risks of blind continued administration of large fluid volumes. In the first part of this chapter, we offer an in-depth literature overview on the available fluids in sepsis. In the second part, we stress the importance and prove the relevance of viewing fluids as drugs. Finally, we explain that sepsis can be divided into four temporally distinct phases each requiring a different fluid strategy: resuscitation, optimization, stabilization, and evacuation. We offer a phase-by-phase guidance using this ROSE conceptual model.