Anest. intenziv. Med. 2025;36(1):15-21 | DOI: 10.36290/aim.2024.064

Post­‑sepsis syndromeReview Article

Fischer J.¹, Hortová­‑Kohoutková M.², Frič J.², Šrámek V.¹, Helán M.^{1, 2}

¹ Anesteziologicko­‑resuscitační klinika, Fakultní nemocnice u svaté Anny v Brně a Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

² Mezinárodní centrum klinického výzkumu (ICRC), Fakultní nemocnice u svaté Anny v Brně a Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

Sepsis as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a deregulated immune response to infection remains one of the greatest human health-related concerns globally and even though huge advances in diagnostics and treatment of sepsis have been made, around 11 million sepsis-related deaths are reported every year worldwide. Only half of the sepsis survivors can achieve complete recovery 2 years after discharge, one-third die, and the remaining one-sixth suffer from long-term complications known as post-sepsis syndrome. It involves physical symptoms - fatigue, muscle weakness, dysphagia, and chronic pain; neuropsychiatric consequences - anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive decline with impaired memory and attention. Even though many long-term changes have been described in post-septic patients, complex pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the development of PSS are still not known. Syndrome of persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism (PICS) is involved. Even less we know about possible treatment options for PSS. The goal of this review is to summarize current knowledge and raise awareness in the professional medical community with this syndrome.

Keywords: sepsis, septic shock, post­‑sepsis syndrome, PICS.

Received: September 26, 2024; Revised: December 10, 2024; Accepted: December 13, 2024; Prepublished online: January 8, 2025; Published: April 28, 2025  Show citation