Delphi Septic Shock: Sub-phenotypes Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Patients With Septic Shock

The Delphi survey process is a well-established mechanism for generating consensus on a certain topic by using a panel "collective intelligence". The Steering Committee, made up of critical care physicians, will undertake a literature search on available information, including existing hemodynamic sub-phenotypes and the use of point-of-care ultrasound in the classification and management of septic shock. The Steering Committee will not participate in the Delphi surveys. The anonymity of the Experts will be maintained until the end of the Delphi rounds. Point-of-care ultrasound has been proposed as a quick bed-side tool to identify hemodynamic subphenotypes and may guide personalized management. However, there is a dearth of evidence supporting the presence of these subphenotypes and management recommendations (if any) based on these subphenotypes. Thus, the objective of this study would be to conduct a survey, using the Delphi method, to obtain a consensus from critical care experts on classification and management of hemodynamic cardiac and lung phenotypes.