Vasoactive Therapy in Refractory Septic Shock: What’s New and What’s Next
Description:
This session was part of Sepsis Alliance Summit 2026
Refractory septic shock remains one of the most challenging conditions encountered in critical care, with high mortality despite advances in sepsis management. As patients fail to respond to conventional resuscitation and vasopressor strategies, clinicians are increasingly faced with complex decisions regarding the selection, sequencing, and escalation of vasoactive therapies. This session will provide an evidence-based review of current pharmacologic approaches to refractory septic shock, including emerging vasoactive agents and evolving treatment paradigms. Attendees will examine recent clinical data, evaluate the strengths and limitations of available therapies, and explore future directions that may shape the next generation of septic shock management.
Session Objectives:
At the end of this session, the learner should be able to:
- Review pharmacologic options for management of refractory septic shock;
- Evaluate recent literature examining pharmacologic therapies for refractory septic shock.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Susan E. Smith, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM, FCCP
Associate Professor
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Susan E. Smith, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM, FCCP, is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, where she is a founding member and Chair of the University of Georgia Critical Care Collaborative (UGAC3) and Director of the Post-Doctoral Academic Fellowship in Critical Care program. She is a co-author of the book "InteGREAT: A Guidebook for Creating Great Healthcare Teams," a robust research program dually focused on hemodynamic management of sepsis and optimizing team-based care in the ICU. She is also an author on the 2026 SCCM/ESICM consensus statement on the Clinical Criteria for the Definition of Refractory Septic Shock.