Are current sepsis treatments bad for the heart?
Hospital Care

Are current sepsis treatments bad for the heart?

A fever, chills down your spine, heart racing and nausea; these are all things you might feel if you have severe infection (or sepsis). In Australia, severe infection will hospitalise about 15,000 people, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends they are treated one of two ways; fluid resuscitation and/or blood transfusion. However, alarmingly, an award-winning study has revealed that these guidelines could actually lead to heart failure and vascular collapse.

Now, think about the 20 to 30 million patients worldwide that suffer from severe infection. That is 20 to 30 million people who go to a hospital or a doctor because they’re in pain: they’re dizzy, they have a fever, and they’re vomiting and possibly worse. They will then be treated according to these WHO guidelines, potentially leaving them in danger of cardiovascular collapse.

Through this study the Critical Care Research Group have taken on research to discover exactly when, where and what is leading to the break down in the capillary system and leading to heart failure. They’re doing this by using advanced ECHO scans to identify when the heart begins to fail after the administration of fluid resuscitation or blood transfusion.

The research group hope this study will lead to finding better ways treat patients with severe infection in order to avoid heart failure, potentially challenging the widely accepted WHO guidelines but ultimately saving more lives!

Support The Common Good here.

Published: July 29, 2019

Related news & events

Mother-of-four shares story of transplant journey

Patient Stories

Mother-of-four shares story of transplant journey

A Queensland mother who was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and later received a lung transplant, shares her story here.

Find out more

The journey from the Cycle of Giving to the Tour de Brisbane

The Common Good

The journey from the Cycle of Giving to the Tour de Brisbane

In 2006, Mary and Mal Long started an event called Cycle of Giving to show their gratitude to Mal’s donor family and medical team.

Find out more

Chain Reaction Challenge 2024: Helping Kids visiting The Prince Charles Hospital

The Common Good

Chain Reaction Challenge 2024: Helping Kids visiting The Prince Charles Hospital

In March, dozens of cyclists from Brisbane will take part in a 1000 km cycle in and around Adelaide for the Chain Reaction Challenge 2024.

Find out more

30-year-old heart transplant recipient’s journey to the 2024 Tour de Brisbane

Heart Disease

30-year-old heart transplant recipient’s journey to the 2024 Tour de Brisbane

A Perth father who received a heart transplant three years ago is preparing to take part in the 2024 Tour de Brisbane. Read more about his journey and support his ride here.

Find out more

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024

The Common Good

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024

This February, we acknowledge International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024 and some of the remarkable women who are making a difference in STEM.

Find out more

Marfan and Aortopathy Conference Brisbane 2024

The Common Good

Marfan and Aortopathy Conference Brisbane 2024

The Marfan and Aortopathy Conference Brisbane 2024 is on Saturday, April 20, at The Prince Charles Hospital. Click here for more details.

Find out more

What is Marfan Syndrome?

The Common Good

What is Marfan Syndrome?

What is Marfan Syndrome? It affects about 1 in 5000 people across the globe, and for some, it can lead to serious or even life-threatening complications. Learn more here.

Find out more

The Café for The Common Good finds new home at Caboolture Hospital

Social Enterprise

The Café for The Common Good finds new home at Caboolture Hospital

Caboolture Hospital Café: In exciting news, our café has a new home in the hospital’s recently opened Clinical Services Building.

Find out more

Take a walk down Memory Lane at The Prince Charles Hospital

Ageing

Take a walk down Memory Lane at The Prince Charles Hospital

At The Prince Charles Hospital, patients and their families are encouraged to take a trip down the newly completed ‘Memory Lane’. Read about the impactful project here.

Find out more