ABSTRACT
Management of sepsis is a time critical procedure; the consequences of improperly managed sepsis and septic shock can cause multiple organ dysfunction and death. The aim of this study was to evaluate of the role of hydrocortisone. Ÿ Sepsis is dened as life-threatening condition causing multi-organ dysfunction by a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock is a subset of sepsis with circulatory and cellular or metabolic dysfunction associated with a higher risk of mortality . Ÿ Sepsis is said to effect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, causing a relative adrenal insufficiency resulting in cardiovascular instability, metabolic disorders, and a sustained pro- inammatory state. Ÿ The role of pro-inammatory pathways suggests a potential use for corticosteroids as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock . The Surviving Sepsis campaign guidelines recommend that if adequate uid resuscitation and vasopressors have not restored the hemodynamic stability, it was postulated in limited data to use inj hydrocortisone 100mg i/v 8 hourly for 7 days . Ÿ There was an improvement in the overall survival and reduction in the mortality and morbidity of patients, as observed by early weaning off from vasopressor support, reduction in total leucocyte counts and