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Purpura fulminans is a syndrome characterized by hemorrhagic infarction of the skin and underlying soft tissue as a result of disseminated intravascular coagulation and intravascular thrombosis. In this study, the authors report their experience with surgical intervention for acute infectious purpura fulminans (AIPF). A retrospective chart review was performed including all patients diagnosed with AIPF from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008, and treated at an academic medical center. Primary endpoints of interest were overall survival rate and the need for and level of eventual amputation. Improvement in limb perfusion was included as a secondary endpoint. Nine patients were diagnosed with AIPF at the authors' institution during a 3-year period, and seven of these diagnoses were made within 12 months. Overall mortality was 44% (5/9). Amputation was required in 80% of survivors (4/5). All patients explored within 24 hours of diagnosis had evidence for compartment syndrome with visible bulging muscle on fascial release. AIPF is a devastating disease with significant mortality and morbidity primarily related to the loss of multiple limbs. This study suggests that early diagnosis and surgical intervention in the form of compartment release and sympathectomy should be performed concurrently with the initial treatment of sepsis to minimize amputations in surviving patients.

In November 2001, drotrecogin alfa (activated) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration; in August 2002 it was approved by the European Medicines Agency. Since the approval of drotrecogin alfa (activated), however, critical care physicians have been faced with several challenges, namely its costs, selection of patients who are more likely to benefit from it, and the decision regarding when to start drotrecogin alfa (activated) treatment. There are also operational issues such as how to manage the infusion to deliver an effective treatment while minimizing the risk for bleeding, particularly in patients with deranged clotting, at around the time of surgery or during renal replacement therapy. While addressing these issues, this review remains practical but evidence based as much as possible.