Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of early goal directed therapy (EGDT) in septic shock.
Methods: Two hundred and three patients with septic shock were assigned into treatment group (n=98) and control group (n=105). According to the state of organ function at the beginning of treatment and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) evaluation scores, each group was categorized into three strata: stratum A (mild organ dysfunction), stratum B (medium organ dysfunction) and stratum C (severe organ dysfunction). Mortality and incidence of organ dysfunction in each group were analyzed.
Results: At stratum A, the mortality and incidence of organ dysfunction in treatment group were significantly lower than those of control group [27.78% (15/54 cases) vs. 37.50% (18/48 cases), 31.48% (17/54 cases) vs. 43.75% (21/48 cases), both P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between treatment group and control group in patients of stratum B [75.86% (22/29 cases) vs. 76.92% (20/26 cases), 55.17% (16/29 cases) vs. 57.69% (15/26 cases)] and stratum C [93.33% (14/15 cases) vs. 96.77% (30/31 cases), 40.00 % (6/15 cases) vs. 41.93% (13/31 cases), all P>0.05].
Conclusion: In the earlier period of septic shock, EGDT can remarkably decrease the patients'mortality and incidence of organ dysfunction, but can not improve survival rate and prognosis in patients in advanced stage of septic shock.