Controversies Regarding the New Definition of Sepsis

The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (SEPSIS-3) task force assessed the latest pathophysiological parameters associated with sepsis and septic shock and defined sepsis as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.This SEPSIS-3 definition may be applied using relevant clinical and biological criteria including changes in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and serum lactate levels.The new definition does not include criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome or the concept of 'severe sepsis.'The SEPSIS-3 definition aims to devise more precise descriptions of sepsis and to improve clinical care.However, there are important questions relating to the clinical application of the new definition.We review the main characteristics and limitations of previous definitions and discuss some of the potential controversies raised by the new framework.(Korean J Med 2017;92:342-348)