[Possibilities of therapeutic intervention in severe infections].

Severe infections of the respiratory system are the most important causes of hospital mortality and often unfold as severe sepsis or septic shock. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) with infection evidence (known as sepsis) and septic shock (severe sepsis with hemodynamic instability relentless on fluid resuscitation) are major healthcare problems, affecting millions of individuals around the world and killing about one-third affected every year. Similarly to myocardial infarction or severe trauma rapid onset and appropriateness of medical management in the first hours of sepsis are key point for clinical outcome.