A case is reported of a 64 year old patient who suffered a septic shock after surgical treatment of a biliary peritonitis. Increasing myocardial contractility and aortic blood flow by dobutamine appeared ineffective; added norepinephrine infusion improved the peripheral perfusion. This clinical improvement in tissue perfusion was evaluated by non-invasive continuous monitoring of the haemodynamic profile, combining aortic blood flow measurement by a transoesophageal echo-Doppler and continuous measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide.