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Course Instructor
Erika Kancler
Date of Graduation
Fall 12-14-2018
Abstract
Objective:To assess the efficacy of improving outcomes of septic shock treatment with the addition of Vitamin C to standard treatment compared to standard therapy alone. To assess whether or not Vitamin C has a favorable outcome in the treatment of septic shock in terms of decreasing duration of vasopressor usage, reducing duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and improving mortality.
Design: Systematic literature review.
Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms ascorbic acid, sepsis, septic shock, and vasopressors. In PubMed the following filters were used: humans only, clinical trials, studies within the past 10 years. Studies that used Vitamin C for the treatment of septic shock and measured the duration of vasopressor usage, total duration of ICU stay, and mortality were included in the review.
Results: All three studies showed a statistically significant reduction in the duration of vasopressor dependency with the addition of Vitamin C to the standard treatment of septic shock. There were conflicting results on the effects on mortality and duration of ICU stay.
Conclusion: The addition of Vitamin C may decrease the duration of vasopressor usage in the treatment of septic shock. Additional higher-powered studies are needed to determine the effects of Vitamin C on mortality and duration of ICU stay.
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Shaughnessy AO, Tieszen MC. Vitamin C in the treatment of septic shock. JMU Scholarly Commons Physician Assistant Capstones. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/pacapstones/33/. Published December 12, 2018.
