Pathomechanisms of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis

Clara Batista Lorigados, Francisco Garcia Soriano, Csaba Szabo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units. Progressive cardiovascular failure is an important cause of the mortality. Septic patients with myocardial dysfunction have significantly higher mortality compared with patients without cardiovascular impairment. Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis is characterized by decreased contractility and impaired myocardial compliance. Experimental studies of sepsis showed heterogeneity of microvascular perfusion, as well as impaired myocardial oxygen extraction. The underlying cellular mechanisms include increased neutrophil adhesion to the endothelium, production of reactive free radicals and oxidants, and endothelial dysfunction. Superoxide, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite cardiac formation has been demonstrated in septic hearts, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the myocardial depression and cell death in sepsis. Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide are gaseotransmitters that may exert protective effects in the septic heart.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)274-284
Number of pages11
JournalEndocrine, Metabolic and Immune Disorders - Drug Targets
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbon monoxide
  • Heart
  • Hydrogen sulfide
  • Myocardial depression
  • Nitric oxide
  • Peroxynitrite
  • Sepsis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Immunology and Allergy

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