Antipyretic treatment does not improve survival of critically ill patients with infection

Although patient care for fever constitutes a core competency for healthcare professionals employed in the intensive care unit (ICU), the continuing controversy about risk –benefit ratio of fever and its management renders antipyretic treatment decisions difficult.1 Considering that fever has evolved as part of the acute-phase response to provide adaptive advantages during infection, its suppression can be detrimental.2 The findings of multicenter observational stud ies conducted on critically ill patients with infection or sepsis have supported the protective role of febrile temperatures because these were associated with significantly lower mortality.
Source: Australian Critical Care - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Discussion paper Source Type: research