Hemodynamic and Perfusion Response to Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) in Patients With Septic Shock

You may be eligible if

• Inclusion:
• 18 years of age or older with a diagnosis of septic shock
• presence of a pulmonary artery catheter (or central venous catheters)
• requiring vasopressor support despite adequate fluid resuscitation
• an intravenous steroid administered for septic shock, except for those patients who were tested and are responders to a corticotropin stimulation test, or patients who do not receive a steroid due to the clinical judgment of the treating physician, based on an alternate assessment (e.g. normal baseline cortisol).
• Exclusion:
• Onset of first-sepsis induced organ dysfunction is greater than 24 hours from the time of informed consent
• Baseline measurements of pulmonary artery occlusive pressure (PAOP) \< 12 mmHg or a central venous pressure (CVP) \< 8 mmHg
• Patient requires continuous oxygen therapy by face-mask
• The presence of an advanced directive to withhold life-sustaining treatment, with the exception of a directive to withhold chest compressions only
• Have received treatment within the last 30 days with a drug that has not received regulatory approval for any indication at the time of study entry
• Weight \> 200 kg
• Are moribund (not expected to survive 24 hours)
• Are pregnant or are lactating and the milk is to be ingested by the infant (pregnancy status must be verified by urine or serum testing)
• Have not completed written informed consent signed by the patient or the patient's legal representative.