Corticosteroids in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Concise Review

Abstract

For decades, corticosteroids are proposed as adjuvant therapies for severe infections. Despite mounting evidence from randomized controlled trials, there is still an intense debate regarding the role of systemic low-dose corticosteroids as a part of the treatment of septic shock. In the present article, we review the current literature and detail aspects on the pathophysiologic rationale, the current evidence, actual practice, and future directions on this topic.