Attempting to define and refine vasopressin use in septic shock: the VANISH trial

Severe sepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies affecting almost 230,000 Americans every year with almost 40,000 deaths with an estimated cost of almost 25 billion dollars (1,2). About 50% of patients with septic shock will develop acute kidney injury (AKI), and the mortality associated with sepsis induced AKI renal failure is as high as 70% (3,4). The prevention and management of renal failure in the septic patient is therefore an active area of interest and research in the critical care community.