School of Medicine and Health Sciences Poster Presentations
Vitamin C: The Next Step in Sepsis Management?
Poster Number
203
Document Type
Poster
Status
Medical Student
Abstract Category
Clinical Specialties
Keywords
Sepsis, Vitamin C, Critical care
Publication Date
Spring 2018
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition, affecting approximately 26 million people worldwide every year. The disease is a continuum, marked by dysregulated inflammation and hemodynamic instability leading to shock, multi-system organ dysfunction, and death. Over the past decades, there has been a focus on the early identifica- tion and treatment of sepsis primarily with bundled and goal directed therapy. Despite these advances, morbidity and mortality has remained high, prompting investigation into novel therapies. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vita- min that plays a role in mediating inflammation through antioxidant activities and is also important in the synthe- sis of cortisol, catecholamines, and vasopressin, which are key mediators in the disease process. Emerging evidence provides cursory data in support of the administration of vitamin C in addition to standard therapy to ameliorate the effects of inflammation and improve hemodynamic stability in patients with sepsis and septic shock; however, further evidence is needed to support this practice. This review discusses the physiologic role of vitamin C as well as the recent literature and evidence for the use of vitamin C in patients presenting with sepsis.
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Open Access
1
Vitamin C: The Next Step in Sepsis Management?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition, affecting approximately 26 million people worldwide every year. The disease is a continuum, marked by dysregulated inflammation and hemodynamic instability leading to shock, multi-system organ dysfunction, and death. Over the past decades, there has been a focus on the early identifica- tion and treatment of sepsis primarily with bundled and goal directed therapy. Despite these advances, morbidity and mortality has remained high, prompting investigation into novel therapies. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vita- min that plays a role in mediating inflammation through antioxidant activities and is also important in the synthe- sis of cortisol, catecholamines, and vasopressin, which are key mediators in the disease process. Emerging evidence provides cursory data in support of the administration of vitamin C in addition to standard therapy to ameliorate the effects of inflammation and improve hemodynamic stability in patients with sepsis and septic shock; however, further evidence is needed to support this practice. This review discusses the physiologic role of vitamin C as well as the recent literature and evidence for the use of vitamin C in patients presenting with sepsis.