NPPB and Shock: The findings of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) admission AEF did not differ between the survivors and the non surviviors, 2) admission APCHE II scores, EF, and BNP showed significant changes between survivors and non survivors, 3) AEF could not be used as an independent mortality preictor in severe sepsis and septic shock, and 4) AEF in survivors later in the course of sepsis tends to improve.