ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the relevant studies using the method of meta-analysis in combination with the model of a “decision tree”. The method provides a quantitative, systematic statistical alternative to the traditional scientific reviews which are largely narrative presentations of studies and their findings ignore the size of the effect found and the strength of research designs. Septic shock is a medical emergency caused by the release into the circulation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxins and associated with profound hemodynamic, hematologic, biochemical, and endocrine derangements ultimately leading to mortality. Fluorometric, radioenzymatic, or high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques are considered reliable methods for Endogenous catecholamines (CA) assay. The ultimate goal of the present is to evaluate whether there is solid evidence to conclude that CA are elevated in septic shock and, therefore, might have a pathophysiological role in this syndrome. Septic/endotoxic shock is one of the disease states where CA were suggested to play a key role.
