Prospective study of the treatment of septic shock.

A study of 113 patients with septic shock admitted to an intensive therapy unit (I.T.U.) during a 3-year period showed that a significant reduction in mortality was achieved after the introduction of a treatment programme which included early intermittent positive-pressure ventilation and aggressive surgery in addition to conventional management with fluids, oxygen, and antibiotics. Vasoactive drugs played an important but not essential role in therapy.