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What is your threshold to start stress dose steroids in the management of patients with septic shock?

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Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Pulmonology · University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Absent long-term use at baseline, I do not routinely start stress dose steroids for patients with septic shock. I reserve steroids for patients with a persistent vasopressor requirement despite adequate volume resuscitation and treatment of the underlying source of infection.

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Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Pulmonology · Duke University Medical Center

I completely agree.

Refractory shock is the main indication for my use; specifically when a patient is on 2 pressors without improvement despite adequate resuscitation.

As an example; when using norepinephrine, I add vasopressin once the dose is above 0.2 mcg/kg/minute (20 mcg/minute). If the shock ...

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