septic shock

noun

: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, that is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood pressure and reduced blood flow despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure

By many estimates, sepsis—and its most severe form, septic shock—is the leading cause of death for intensive care patients in the U.S. and the 10th most common cause of death for everyone else in the country.

—Maryn McKenna

Examples of septic shock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Seizures and septic shock, adds Dr. Latisa Carson, another South Bay obstetrician and gynecologist with long experience delivering babies at Scripps Chula Vista, are also emergency pregnancy conditions which require immediate action. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024

This will show you the percentage of patients who received appropriate care for severe sepsis and or septic shock. —Kayla Hui, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2024

In one case, a California man who had two surgical clamps left inside him suffered infections and septic shock that led to a stroke, according to a New York Times article. —Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024

According to the Cleveland Clinic, septic shock is a life-threatening condition that can occur when an infection causes low blood pressure and organ failure. —Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

Both sepsis and septic shock require immediate treatment. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024

Muhammad Ali died from septic shock related to his Parkinson’s diagnosis. —Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023

From there, she was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital, which diagnosed her with septic shock — an extremely dangerous condition in which the body has an extreme response to infection. —Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023

When advancing to septic shock, symptoms become very low blood pressure, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, cool limbs, and an inability to urinate. —Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

septic shock

noun

: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood and reduced blood flow pressure despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure