Pilot Trial of External Warming in Septic Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Admitted to a surgical or medical intensive care unit * Age greater than 18 years * Diagnosis of sepsis within 24 hours of enrollment * Requirement for mechanical ventilation with expected duration of mechanical ventilation \> 48 hours * Goal Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) \< 0 * Maximum baseline temperature (within previous 24 hours) \< 38.3°C Exclusion Criteria: * Treatment with chemotherapy within 6 months of enrollment * Treatment with corticosteroids at a dose \> 300 mg/day hydrocortisone (or equivalent) * History of solid organ transplant on any immunosuppression medication * History of immunological disease * History of chronic infection with hepatitis B or C virus * History of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or severe head injury requiring osmotic therapy within 7 days prior to enrollment * History of multiple sclerosis * Contraindications to both bladder or esophageal core temperature monitors or to forced air warming blankets * Moribund status * Sepsis without source control