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Sepsis
Concurrent

Scoring a Win Against Refractory Shock: The Power Play of Drug Therapy

Sunday, March 22, 2026
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM Central Time
Location: W184

    Concurrent Session Moderator(s)

  • Randy Wax, MD, MEd, FCCM

    Lakeridge Health, Ontario, Canada

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for management of patients presenting with sepsis and septic shock. Clinicians are often challenged to reach outside guideline-backed therapies in patients who do not respond to first-line interventions such as fluid resuscitation, augmented hemodynamics with vasopressors, and early antimicrobial therapy with consideration for source control procedures. Diagnosis and management of patients with refractory septic shock requires early recognition and consideration of use of adjunctive pharmacologic agents. This session will discuss the etiology and diagnosis of refractory septic shock, available adjunctive pharmacologic agents for refractory shock, and prioritization strategies for interventions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the etiology and diagnosis of refractory septic shock
  • Discuss pharmacologic options for management of refractory septic shock
  • Prioritize treatment interventions for patients with refractory septic shock

Presentations:

  • 3:20 PM - 3:35 PM Central Time
    What Are the Rules of the Game Here? How to Recognize and diagnose Refractory Septic Shock

    christa schorr, DNP, MSN, RN, FCCM (she/her/hers) – Cooper Hospital University Medical Center

  • 3:35 PM - 3:50 PM Central Time
    Vacate the Bench: Bring in the Vasoactive Agents

    Susan E. Smith, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM – University of Georgia College of Pharmacy

  • 3:50 PM - 4:05 PM Central Time
    Sepsis Benchwarmers: Bring in the Immunomodulators

    Joanna Dionne, MD, MS, BN (she/her/hers) – McMaster University