General anesthesia is recommended for people with sepsis who require surgical procedures to remove the infective source. Usually, inhalational and intravenous anesthetics are used. Requirements for anesthetics may be reduced in sepsis. Inhalational anesthetics can reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines, altering leukocyte adhesion and proliferation, inducing apoptosis (cell death) of the lymphocytes, possibly with a toxic effect on mitochondrial function. Although etomidate has a minimal effect on the cardiovascular system, it is often not recommended as a medication to help with intubation in this situation due to concerns it may lead to poor adrenal function and an increased risk of death. The small amount of evidence there is, however, has not found a change in the risk of death with etomidate.
General anesthesia is recommended for people with sepsis who require surgical procedures to remove the infective source Usually inhalational and intravenous anesthetics are used Requirements for anesthetics may be reduced in sepsis Inhalational anesthetics can reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines altering leukocyte adhesion and proliferation inducing apoptosis (cell death) of the lymphocytes possibly with a toxic effect on mitochondrial function Although etomidate has a minimal effect on the cardiovascular system it is often not recommended as a medication to help with intubation in this situation due to concerns it may lead to poor adrenal function and an increased risk of death The small amount of evidence there is however has not found a change in the risk of death with etomidate