Briegel J, Forst H, Haller M, et al. Stress doses of hydrocortisone reverse hyperdynamic septic shock: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, single-center study. Critical Care Medicine. 1999;27(4):723–732.

This study finds that stress doses of hydrocortisone can decrease the duration of vasopressor therapy and speed the resolution of septic organ dysfunction.

Yildiz O, Doganay M, Aygen B, et al. Physiological-dose steroid therapy in sepsis. Critical Care. 2002;6(3):251–259.

This study examines the predictive value of basal cortisol concentrations, cortisol response to corticotropin, and physiological dose steroid therapy for mortality in sepsis.

Bollaert PE, Charpentier C, Levy B, et al. Reversal of late septic shock with supraphysiologic doses of hydrocortisone. Critical Care Medicine. 1998;26:645-650.

This study finds that modest doses of hydrocortisone can improve hemodynamics and overall survival in late septic shock.

Briegel J, Kellermann W, Forst H, et al. Low-dose hydrocortisone infusion attenuates the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: The Phospholipase A2 Study Group. The Clinical Investigator. 1994;72(10):782–787.

This study's findings suggest that low-dose hydrocortisone infusion can help combat a systemic inflammatory response in septic shock.

Cronin L, Cook DJ, Carlet J, et al. Corticosteroid treatment for sepsis: A critical appraisal and meta-analysis of the literature. Critical Care Medicine. 1995;23:1430–1439.

This meta-analysis article examines the use of corticosteroids in treatment for sepsis, and finds no evidence supporting their use.  The authors push for further investigation in this area.

Lefering R, Neugebauer EA. Steroid controversy in sepsis and septic shock: A meta-analysis. Critical Care Medicine. 1995;23(7):1294–1303.

This study explores the effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment for septic shock, including an analysis of effectiveness for specific subgroups of patients. 

Yu M, Burchell S, Hasaniya N, et al. Relationship of mortality to increasing oxygen delivery in patients > or = 50 years of age: A prospective randomised trial. Critical Care Medicine. 1998;26:1011–1019.

This article examines the effectiveness of different levels of oxygen delivery during early resuscitation.

Beale RJ, Hollenberg SM, Vincent JL, et al. Vasopressor and inotropic support in septic shock: An evidence-based review. Critical Care Medicine. 2004;32(Suppl.):S455–S465.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign's recommendations for use of vasopressors in severe septic shock.

Levy B, Bollaert FE, Charpentier C, et al. Comparison of norepinephrine and dobutamine to epinephrine for hemodynamics, lactate metabolism, and gastric tonometric variables in septic shock. Intensive Care Medicine. 1997;23:282–287.

This study finds that although epinephrine and norepinephrine/ dobutamine both demonstrate desired effects on global hemodynamic conditions, the norepinephrine/dobutamine combination is less likely to lead to insufficient splanchnic oxygen utilization.

Neviere R, Mathieu D, Chagnon JL, et al. The contrasting effects of dobutamine and dopamine on gastric mucosal perfusion in septic patients. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 1996;154:1684–1688.

This prospective randomized crossover trial examines whether dobutamine and dopamine can improve gastric mucosal perfusion.