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Home › Conditions › Septic Shock

Septic Shock

Part of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Subtypes of Septic Shock

Endotoxic septic shock 1

28 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Septic Shock

39 trials tracked for Septic Shock: 8 in phase 3 or 4 and 5 with published results. The most-cited published study has 419 citations.

39Trials tracked
8Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
5With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 3 Phase 3 5 Phase 2 17 Phase 1 2 Other / NA 12
  1. Phase 3 Crystalloid Liberal or Vasopressors Early Resuscitation in Sepsis Completed · 419 cited
  2. Phase 3 Ascorbic Acid, Corticosteroids, and Thiamine in Sepsis (ACTS) Trial Completed · 250 cited
  3. Phase 4 The Conservative vs. Liberal Approach to Fluid Therapy of Septic Shock in Intensive Care Trial Completed · 107 cited
  4. Phase 3 Statin Therapy in the Treatment of Sepsis Completed · 62 cited
  5. Phase 3 Vitamin C and Septic Shock Completed · 61 cited
  6. Phase 4 Renin and Renal Biomarker Response to Angiotensin II Completed
Show 33 more trials
  1. Phase 4 Hemodynamic and Perfusion Response to Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) in Patients With Septic Shock Completed
  2. Phase 3 Dopamine Versus Norepinephrine for the Treatment of Vasopressor Dependent Septic Shock Completed
  3. Phase 2 Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Infusion in Human Sepsis Completed
  4. Phase 2 A Study to Assess Safety,and Tolerability of 2 Doses of AZD9773 (CytoFab™) in Japanese With Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Completed
  5. Phase 2 Esmolol Infusion for Patients With Septic Shock and Persistent Tachycardia Completed
  6. Phase 2 Rapid Administration of Carnitine in sEpsis Completed
  7. Phase 2 LIPIDS-P Trial Phase I/II Trial Completed
  8. Phase 2 Thiamine as a Metabolic Resuscitator in Septic Shock Completed
  9. Phase 2 A Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of 2 Dosing Regimens of IV Infusions of AZD9773 (CytoFab™) With Placebo in Adult Patients With Severe Sepsis and/or Septic Shock Completed
  10. Phase 2 HCT+F vs. HCT Alone in Critically Ill Medical Septic Shock Patients Completed
  11. Phase 2 Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Septic Shock Completed
  12. Phase 2 Pharmacokinetic and Biomarker Study of Pioglitazone in Adolescents With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Completed
  13. Phase 2 Effects of the V1a Agonist FE 202158 in Patients With Septic Shock Completed
  14. Phase 2 Metabolic Resuscitation Using Ascorbic Acid, Thiamine, and Glucocorticoids in Sepsis. Completed
  15. Phase 2 Treatment of Patients With Early Septic Shock and Bio-Adrenomedullin(ADM) Concentration > 70 pg/ml With ADRECIZUMAB Completed
  16. Phase 2 Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of 3 Doses of MOTREM (Nangibotide) in Patients With Septic Shock Completed
  17. Phase 2 A Trial of Vitamin B12 in Septic Shock Completed
  18. Phase 2 Investigating FE 202158 as Potential Primary Treatment in Patients With Early Septic Shock Completed
  19. Phase 2 Vitamin C & Thiamine to Treat Sepsis and Septic Shock Completed
  20. Phase 1 Pragmatic Pediatric Trial of Balanced Versus Normal Saline Fluid in Sepsis: A Pilot Feasibility Study Completed
  21. Phase 1 Intravenous AII for the Treatment of Severe Hypotension in High Output Shock: A Pilot Study Completed
  22. N/A Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock Completed
  23. N/A Effect of Emergency Department Care Reorganization on Door-to-antibiotic Times for Sepsis (LDS SWARM) Completed
  24. N/A Evaluating the Effect of Chronic Antihypertensive Therapy on Vasopressor Dosing in Septic Shock Completed
  25. N/A The Randomized Controlled Trial of Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound-guided Fluid Management in Septic Shock Resuscitation Completed
  26. N/A Fluid Balance in the ICU - Interventions to Minimize Fluids in Patients With Septic Shock Completed
  27. N/A Early Warning System for Clinical Deterioration on General Hospital Wards Completed
  28. N/A Release of Nociceptin From Granulocytes in Sepsis Completed
  29. N/A Initiation of Hydrocortisone for the Treatment of Septic Shock Completed
  30. N/A Safety and Efficacy of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion (PMX) for Septic Shock Completed
  31. N/A Venous Lactate in Progression to Overt Septic Shock and Mortality in Non-elderly Sepsis Patients in Emergency Department Completed
  32. N/A High MAP in Septic Shock With Hypertension Completed
  33. N/A PK Analysis of Piperacillin in Septic Shock Patients Completed

Showing the 39 most-cited and recently-updated of 39 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Septic Shock: what the trials found

Evidence regarding the timing and type of hemodynamic support shows that early vasopressors did not significantly impact mortality by day 90 (p=0.61) or change the number of organ support-free days or ventilator-free days 5. Angiotensin II was associated with a median of 0.9 days to discontinuation of catecholamines compared to 3.5 days in the control group, and significantly more renal replacement therapy-free days (21 vs 0) 3.

The use of Vitamin C has shown mixed results across trials; one study reported a significant reduction in time to vasopressor independence (p<0.001) 13, while other studies showed no statistically significant differences in mortality rates 12 or SOFA scores 8. A combination of vitamin C, vitamin B1, and hydrocortisone did not significantly improve SOFA scores at 72 hours (p=0.12) or reduce the rate of renal failure (p=0.58), though a trend toward lower 30-day mortality was observed (p=0.05) 6.

Other interventions included isotonic crystalloids, which showed no significant difference in days alive and out of hospital at day 90 compared to the control group 2. Drotrecogin alfa did not show statistically significant improvements in cumulative vasopressor index (p=0.238), change in CVI over 96 hours (p=0.478), or mean arterial pressure (p=0.442) 4.

Additional established trials included the use of simvastatin 7, dopamine 9, and ascorbic acid 22.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Hydroxocobalamin was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial 1.
  • Smoflipid was assessed for its effect on total cholesterol levels over 48 hours 10.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Early vasopressor initiation does not appear to significantly alter mortality or duration of organ support in the studied cohort.
  • Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) shows conflicting evidence regarding its impact on clinical outcomes, with significant results for vasopressor independence but non-significant results for mortality and SOFA scores in other trials.
  • Angiotensin II was associated with faster discontinuation of catecholamines and increased renal replacement therapy-free days.

AI synthesis of 13 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Scoping review on androgen pathways and therapy in adult sepsis and septic shock
Diabetes & Endocrinology Sys. Review
Scoping review on androgen pathways and therapy in adult sepsis and septic shock Sepsis Patients With Low Testosterone Face Higher Death Risks
This systematic scoping review synthesizes evidence on testosterone levels and androgen-based interventions in adult sepsis or septic shock.…
• Low testosterone strongly links to severe sepsis and death • Helps doctors spot high-risk ICU patients faster • Hormone therapy failed to …
Frontiers May 10, 2026
Conservative oxygen targets show no mortality difference in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults
Emergency Medicine Meta-analysis
Conservative oxygen targets show no mortality difference in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults New Oxygen Rules Save Lives Without Extra Risk in ICU
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 20,447 mechanically ventilated critically ill adults in the ICU found no substantial difference …
ICU teams can safely use less oxygen for ventilated patients, new research shows, potentially reducing harm without raising death risk for m…
May 8, 2026
Polymyxin B haemoadsorption associated with lower mortality in endotoxic septic shock patients
Infectious Disease RCT
Polymyxin B haemoadsorption associated with lower mortality in endotoxic septic shock patients Polymyxin B blood filter cuts death risk in severe septic shock
This phase 3 trial examined polymyxin B haemoadsorption versus standard care in adults with endotoxic septic shock and multiorgan dysfunctio…
A blood filter that removes toxins may cut deaths in adults with severe septic shock, new trial results suggest.
May 2, 2026
Narrative review of Shenfu Injection for sepsis-induced gastrointestinal injury and septic shock
Infectious Disease Meta-analysis
Narrative review of Shenfu Injection for sepsis-induced gastrointestinal injury and septic shock A Chinese herbal therapy may protect the gut during septic shock
This narrative review examines Shenfu Injection for sepsis-induced acute gastrointestinal injury and septic shock.
A traditional Chinese herbal blend may help protect the gut during septic shock, offering a new angle on a deadly complication that often go…
Frontiers May 1, 2026
Large language models show varying accuracy for data extraction in sepsis guidelines
Emergency Medicine Guideline
Large language models show varying accuracy for data extraction in sepsis guidelines AI models show promise for extracting sepsis study data
This study evaluated the performance of large language models, including ChatGPT-4o, Claude 3 Sonnet, and Gemini 1.5 Pro, for data extractio…
New tests show AI can help pull patient details from medical papers, but extracting clinical results remains a major challenge.
Frontiers Apr 30, 2026
Non-invasive ultrasound defines snuffbox artery RI and PI reference ranges in healthy volunteers versus ICU patients with septic shock or hypertension
Rheumatology Cohort
Non-invasive ultrasound defines snuffbox artery RI and PI reference ranges in healthy volunteers versus ICU patients with septic shock or hypertension New blood flow numbers reveal hidden risks in shock patients
This prospective observational cohort study included 91 healthy volunteers and 55 ICU patients at a 4,900-bed tertiary care hospital in Chin…
A simple finger test now shows hidden blood flow problems that standard checks miss in sick patients.
Frontiers Apr 28, 2026
Retrospective cohort study links pulse pressure levels to 28-day mortality in septic shock patients
Rheumatology Cohort
Retrospective cohort study links pulse pressure levels to 28-day mortality in septic shock patients New Blood Pressure Target Could Save Septic Shock Patients
This retrospective cohort study examined septic shock patients across two settings to assess pulse pressure levels during the first 24 h in …
A new study suggests a specific blood pressure range improves survival for people in septic shock.
Frontiers Apr 22, 2026
Seraph Microbind filter used in a 7-year-old with refractory septic shock and invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infection
Pediatrics Cohort
Seraph Microbind filter used in a 7-year-old with refractory septic shock and invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infection New Filter May Save Children in Life-Threatening Shock
This single case report describes a previously healthy 7-year-old girl with refractory septic shock and invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infe…
This device offers a new rescue option for kids whose bodies shut down from infection.
Frontiers Apr 18, 2026
Thiamin supplementation associated with reduced mortality in septic shock patients
Emergency Medicine Meta-analysis
Thiamin supplementation associated with reduced mortality in septic shock patients Thiamin Cuts Death Risk in Sepsis Shock
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluated thiamin supplementation versus placebo or blank controls in patients with septi…
A common vitamin called thiamin lowers death risk and kidney failure needs for patients in septic shock, offering new hope for severe infect…
Apr 14, 2026
CytoSorb hemoadsorption shows no benefit and potential harm in small septic shock trial
Emergency Medicine RCT
CytoSorb hemoadsorption shows no benefit and potential harm in small septic shock trial A Promising Sepsis Treatment May Do More Harm Than Good
A single-center RCT of 31 adults with septic shock and high IL-6 found no significant difference in cumulative norepinephrine dose (primary …
A high-tech blood filter for sepsis failed to help patients and may have worsened early survival rates in a new study.
Apr 12, 2026
Socioeconomic factors associated with increased mortality in adults with sepsis or septic shock
Emergency Medicine Meta-analysis
Socioeconomic factors associated with increased mortality in adults with sepsis or septic shock Study finds poverty and lack of insurance linked to higher death rates from sepsis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 observational studies involving 3,951,677 adults with sepsis or septic shock found that several …
Poverty and lack of private insurance are linked to higher death rates from sepsis, affecting nearly 4 million adults in a major review.
Apr 7, 2026
Neostigmine infusion in septic shock linked to lower TNF-alpha and 28-day mortality in single-center RCT
Emergency Medicine RCT
Neostigmine infusion in septic shock linked to lower TNF-alpha and 28-day mortality in single-center RCT Neostigmine infusion linked to lower inflammation and mortality in septic shock trial
A single-center randomized controlled trial in adult ICU patients with septic shock compared a 5-day neostigmine infusion (0.2 mg/hr) to pla…
Septic shock patients receiving neostigmine showed lower inflammation, better organ scores, and fewer deaths compared to those on placebo in…
Apr 7, 2026

Questions about Septic Shock

Do doctors need to give extra oxygen to patients with septic shock?

Yes, doctors often give extra oxygen to septic shock patients, but recent evidence shows conservative oxygen targets (SpO2 88-94%) are as safe as liberal targets, with no difference in mortality.

Full answer →
Is it better to have high or low pulse pressure when you have septic shock?

In septic shock, a pulse pressure between 40-70 mmHg during the first 24 hours is linked to lower 28-day mortality; both very low and very high pulse pressure are associated with worse outcomes.

Full answer →