Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, and despite
advances in management, mortality remains high. In survivors, sepsis increases the risk for
the development of persistent acquired weakness syndromes affecting both the respiratory
muscles and the limb muscles. This acquired weakness results in prolonged duration of
mechanical ventilation, difficulty weaning, functional impairment, exercise limitation, and
poor health-related quality of life. Abundant evidence indicates that sepsis induces a …