Early interventions in severe sepsis and septic shock: a review of the evidence one decade later.

The outcomes of acute myocardial infarction, trauma, and stroke have improved by implementing processes that provide early diagnosis and aggressive interventions at the most proximal point of disease presentation. A common feature in these conditions is the implementation of early intervention strategies. One decade ago, a similar approach to sepsis began when a prospective randomized trial compared early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) to standard care using specific criteria for the early identification of high risk patients with infection.