Thiamine, Vitamin C and Hydrocortisone in the Treatment of Septic Shock

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether patients who receive thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin C and hydrocortisone while in septic shock have improved outcomes compared to hydrocortisone alone. A recently published article "Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C and Thiamine for the treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock," suggested substantial mortality reduction (78%). We wish to test the hypothesis that mortality reduction is at least 25% in a prospective randomized trial. Other important sub-aims include the testing whether the protocol reduces the time on pressors agents, reduces the trajectory of the SOFA score, or reduces the trajectory of procalcitonin.