ARUP Online Scientific Resource

Procalcitonin: The Evolution and Clinical Application of a Unique Biomarker for Sepsis

Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy of sepsis is a daily challenge for physicians. The new Procalcitonin (PCT) test, which was recently approved by the FDA, makes diagnosis and treatment of sepsis more efficient.

Procalcitonin is a protein that can act as a hormone and a cytokine. It is expressed in most tissues and is released under the stimulation of sepsis. As such, it is a sensitive biomarker for the detection of bacterial infection. The serum levels also correspond to the severity of infection and the response to treatment. When used with other clinical parameters, it can result in more appropriate application of antibiotics to patients who present with clinical signs of sepsis. The PCT test is relatively new to the United States, although in Europe it is used routinely in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.   For a short introductory video (1 min) click here.  For full lecture (50 min) click Launch Video Lecture.

Presented by

Eric H. Gluck, MD, JD
Director of Critical Care Services, Swedish Covenant Hospital
Professor of Medicine, Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School

Dr. Eric H. Gluck received his doctoral degree in medicine from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. He completed his residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Gluck currently serves as the director of Critical Care Services at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and as a professor of medicine at Finch University of Health Sciences at the Chicago Medical School. Dr. Gluck is a fellow of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, and the Chicago Institute of Medicine. He is a member of the American Thoracic Society, Society of Sigma Xi, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the American Society of Law, Medicine, and Ethics. He has delivered numerous lectures and co-authored many articles in the field of pulmonary critical care.

Objectives

After this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Understand the biochemistry of procalcitonin (PCT)
• Understand the application of PCT in identifying patients with sepsis
• Understand the use of PCT as a marker for prognostication and response to treatment

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, and ARUP Laboratories