21/01/2026
🩺 ICU Case of the Day
📌 Case:
Male patient, 58 y/o, known HTN, DM, CKD stage 3, ex-smoker
Admitted to ICU with refractory septic shock secondary to VAP
🔴 Current ICU status (6 hours post-admission):
Vitals:
MAP: 58 mmHg on Norepinephrine 0.25
HR: 118 bpm
Temp: 38.7°C
Urine output: 0.3 ml/kg/hr
GCS: 10/15
🫁 Ventilation:
Mode: AC/VC
VT: 6 ml/kg PBW
RR: 22/min
PEEP: 10 cmH₂O
FiO₂: 0.6
Plateau pressure: 29 cmH₂O
🧪 ABG:
pH 7.18
PaCO₂ 48 mmHg
PaO₂ 68 mmHg
HCO₃⁻ 17 mEq/L
Lactate 7.8 mmol/L
P/F ratio ≈ 113 → moderate–severe ARDS
🧬 Labs:
WBC 24,000
Platelets 85,000
INR 1.9
Creatinine 3.4 mg/dL (baseline 1.6)
Bilirubin 3.1 mg/dL
Procalcitonin very high
📸 CXR:
Bilateral diffuse infiltrates → ARDS picture
🔍 Problem List:
Refractory septic shock
ARDS
AKI on CKD
Mixed metabolic + respiratory acidosis
Suspected MODS / evolving DIC
❓ Discussion Points (ICU level):
1️⃣ ABG interpretation:
هل دا mixed acidosis؟
Is respiratory compensation adequate?
2️⃣ Hemodynamics:
MAP target؟
Next step after high-dose norepinephrine?
Vasopressin vs Epinephrine؟
3️⃣ Ventilation strategy:
Increase PEEP ولا prone positioning first؟
Target driving pressure كام؟
4️⃣ Renal support:
When to start CRRT in this patient؟
5️⃣ Steroids:
Indications & dose of hydrocortisone؟
6️⃣ Prognosis:
Which parameters indicate poor outcome؟