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

In the worst cases, blood pressure drops, the heart weakens, and the patient spirals toward septic shock. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 26 June 2023

In another case, a resident went into septic shock and died after an IV inserted into the man's arm went unattended for eight days. —The Indianapolis Star, 8 June 2023

Among those who survive septic shock, recovery is difficult, and symptoms can persist for months or years. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2023

Then on Christmas morning, she was rushed to the hospital in septic shock. —William Thornton | [e-mail], al, 23 Jan. 2023

Interferon alpha, which is sometimes used to treat chronic hepatitis C and other conditions, causes a major inflammatory response throughout the body by flooding the immune system with proteins known as cytokines — molecules that facilitate reactions ranging from mild swelling to septic shock. —Joanna Thompson, Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2023

An aide to the former president said Bill Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. —BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2021

Compared with flu patients, those hospitalized with COVID had a greater risk of acute kidney injury, severe septic shock, life-threatening blood clots, and a range of dangerous cardiovascular complications, Al-Aly showed in a study in 2020. —Jason Gale, Fortune Well, 6 Apr. 2023

Severe sepsis can also lead to septic shock–the last stage of sepsis–when an individual’s blood pressure becomes dangerously low despite IV fluids. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Dec. 2022

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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