A single episode of hypotension portends a worse outcome for septic patients. The restrospective analysis by Marchick et al of 700 patients showed that mortality was 10% vs 3.6% for septic patients whose SBP dropped below 100 even once. It was also noted that the lower the SBP, the worse the in-hospital mortality.
So, not only do we need to remember to watch blood pressure closely for head-injured patients, but for septic patients as well!
References
Marchik, MR et al. The Significance of Non-sustained Hypotension in Emergency Department Patients with Sepsis.Intensive Care Medicine (2009) 35:1261-1264
