Rubenfeld GD. When survival is not the same as mortality. Critical Care Alert. 2003;10:113–115.

This article explains use of the terms 'survival' and 'mortality' in clinical investigation.

Keh D, Sprung CL. Use of corticosteroid therapy in patients with sepsis and septic shock: An evidence-based review. Critical Care Medicine. 2004;32(11 Suppl.):S527–S533.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines for corticosteroid therapy in sepsis.

Keh D, Boehnke T, Weber-Carstens S, et al. Immunologic and hemodynamic effects of “low-dose” hydrocortisone in septic shock: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2003;167(4):512–520.

This study identifies hydrocortison therapy as a way to restore hemodynamic stability and reduce the inflammatory response to stress.

Ullian ME: The role of corticosteroids in the regulation of vascular tone. Cardiovascular Research. 1999;41(1):55–64.

This article explores the effects of corticosteroids on vascular tone. 

Walker BR, Williams BC. Corticosteroids and vascular tone: Mapping the messenger maze. Clinical Science. 1992;82(6):597–605.

This article examines the role of corticosteroids in septic shock.

Moran JL, Chapman MJ, O’Fathartaigh MS, et al. Hypocortisolaemia and adrenocortical responsiveness at onset of septic shock. Intensive Care Medicine. 1994;20(7):489–495.

This study examines the predictive value of plasma cortisol levels and adrenocortical responsiveness for mortality in septic shock.

Annane D, Sebille V, Troche G, et al. A 3-level prognostic classification in septic shock based on cortisol levels and cortisol response to corticotropin. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2000;283(8):1038–1045.

This study investigates the relationship between activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and patient outcome in septic shock.

Matot I, Sprung CL. Corticosteroids in septic shock: Resurrection of the last rites? Critical Care Medicine. 1998;26(4):627–629.

This article looks at corticosteroid treatment in human septic shock.

Rothwell PM, Udwadia ZF, Lawler PG. Cortisol response to corticotropin and survival in septic shock. Lancet. 1991;337(8741):582–583.

This study examines the adrenocortical function of patients with septic shock and identifies poor cortisol response as a predictor for mortality.

Oppert M, Reinicke A, Gräf KJ, et al. Plasma cortisol levels before and during “low-dose” hydrocortisone therapy and their relationship to hemodynamic improvement in patients with septic shock. Intensive Care Medicine. 2000;26(12):1747–1755.

This study assesses the effect of endogenous steroid production on both the clinical course of septic shock and the need for catecholamine administration.