Ultrasound could unlock safer treatment for deadly septic shock

This is a small pilot study to see if it's possible to run a larger future trial. It tests whether using a bedside ultrasound scan can safely identify which patients with life-threatening septic shock might benefit from a heart-slowing medication called a beta-blocker. Researchers will compare giving the drug esmolol to standard care in about 100 patients to check if the study procedures work. The main goal is to see if recruiting patients, getting consent, doing the ultrasound checks, and following the treatment plan is doable.