Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 2007;116:793-802
doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.678359
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Merx, M.W.
Right arrow Articles by Weber, C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Merx, M.W.
Right arrow Articles by Weber, C.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
Medline Plus Health Information
*Sepsis
Related Collections
Right arrow Contractile function
Right arrow Other heart failure
Right arrow Other Treatment

(Circulation. 2007;116:793-802.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.


Cardiovascular Involvement in General Medical Conditions

Sepsis and the Heart

M.W. Merx, MD; C. Weber, MD

From the Department of Medicine (M.W.M.), Division of Cardiology, Pulmonary Diseases and Vascular Medicine and the Institute of Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) at the University Hospital (C.W.), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.

Correspondence to Marc W. Merx, MD, Medizinische Klinik I, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstraße 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany (e-mail mmerx{at}ukaachen.de), or Christian Weber, MD, Institut für Kardiovaskuläre Molekularbiologie, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstraße 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany (e-mail cweber@ukaachen.de).


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowCharacteristics of Myocardial...
down arrowMechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
down arrowTherapeutic Approaches: The...
down arrowReferences
 
Sepsis is generally viewed as a disease aggravated by an inappropriate immune response encountered in the afflicted individual. As an important organ system frequently compromised by sepsis and always affected by septic shock, the cardiovascular system and its dysfunction during sepsis have been studied in clinical and basic research for more than 5 decades. Although a number of mediators and pathways have been shown to be associated with myocardial depression in sepsis, the precise cause remains unclear to date. There is currently no evidence supporting global ischemia as an underlying cause of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis; however, in septic patients with coexistent and possibly undiagnosed coronary artery disease, regional myocardial ischemia or infarction secondary to coronary artery disease may certainly occur. A circulating myocardial depressant factor in septic shock has long been proposed, and potential candidates for a myocardial depressant factor include cytokines, prostanoids, and nitric oxide, among others. Endothelial activation and induction of the coagulatory system also contribute to the pathophysiology in sepsis. Prompt and adequate antibiotic therapy accompanied by surgical removal of the infectious focus, if indicated and feasible, is the mainstay and also the only strictly causal line of therapy. In the presence of severe sepsis and septic shock, supportive treatment in addition to causal therapy is mandatory. The purpose of this review is to delineate some characteristics of septic myocardial dysfunction, to assess the most commonly cited and reported underlying mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in sepsis, and to briefly outline current therapeutic strategies and possible future approaches.


Key Words: immune system • infection • inflammation • shock • sepsis


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowCharacteristics of Myocardial...
down arrowMechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
down arrowTherapeutic Approaches: The...
down arrowReferences
 
Sepsis, defined by consensus conference as "the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) that occurs during infection,"1 is generally viewed as a disease aggravated by the inappropriate immune response encountered in the affected individual (for review, see Hotchkiss and Karl2 and Riedemann et al,3). The Table gives the current criteria for the establishment of the diagnosis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock.1,4 Morbidity and mortality are high, resulting in sepsis and septic shock being the 10th most common cause of death in the United States.5 The incidence of sepsis and sepsis-related deaths appears to be increasing by 1.5% per year.6 In a recent study,6 the total national hospital cost invoked by severe sepsis in the United States was estimated at approximately $16.7 billion on the basis of an estimated severe sepsis rate of 751 000 cases per year with 215 000 associated deaths annually. A recent study from Britain documented a 46% in-hospital mortality rate for patients presenting with severe sepsis on admission to the intensive care unit.7


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
Current Criteria for Establishment of the Diagnosis of SIRS, Sepsis, and Septic Shock1,4

As an important organ system frequently affected by sepsis and always affected by septic shock, the cardiovascular system and its dysfunction during sepsis have been studied in clinical and basic research for more than 5 decades. In 1951, Waisbren was the first to describe cardiovascular dysfunction due to sepsis.8 He recognized a hyperdynamic state with full bounding pulses, flushing, fever, oliguria, and hypotension. In addition, he described a second, smaller patient group who presented clammy, pale, and hypotensive with low volume pulses and who appeared more severely ill. With hindsight, the latter group might well have been volume underresuscitated, and indeed, timely and adequate volume therapy has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective supportive measures in sepsis therapy.9

Under conditions of adequate volume resuscitation, the profoundly reduced systemic vascular resistance typically encountered in sepsis10 leads to a concomitant elevation in cardiac index that obscures the myocardial dysfunction that also occurs. However, as early as the mid-1980s, significant reductions in both stroke volume and ejection fraction in septic patients were observed despite normal total cardiac output.11 Importantly, the presence of cardiovascular dysfunction in sepsis is associated with a significantly increased mortality rate of 70% to 90% compared with 20% in septic patients without cardiovascular impairment.12 Thus, myocardial dysfunction in sepsis has been the focus of intense research activity. Although a number of mediators and pathways have been shown to be associated with myocardial depression in sepsis, the precise cause remains unclear.

The purpose of the present review is to delineate some characteristics of septic myocardial dysfunction, to assess the most commonly cited and reported underlying mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in sepsis, and to briefly outline current therapeutic strategies and possible future approaches. This review is not intended to be all inclusive.


*    Characteristics of Myocardial Dysfunction in Sepsis
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Characteristics of Myocardial...
down arrowMechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
down arrowTherapeutic Approaches: The...
down arrowReferences
 
Using portable radionuclide cineangiography, Calvin et al13 were the first to demonstrate myocardial dysfunction in adequately volume-resuscitated septic patients with decreased ejection fraction and increased end-diastolic volume index. Adding pulmonary artery catheters to serial radionuclide cineangiography, Parker and colleagues11 extended these observations with the 2 major findings that (1) survivors of septic shock were characterized by increased end-diastolic volume index and decreased ejection fraction, whereas nonsurvivors typically maintained normal cardiac volumes, and (2) these acute changes in end-diastolic volume index and ejection fraction, although sustained for several days, were reversible. More recently, echocardiographic studies have demonstrated impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in septic patients.14–16 These human studies, in conjunction with experimental studies ranging from the cellular level17 to isolated heart studies18,19 and to in vivo animal models,20–22 have clearly established decreased contractility and impaired myocardial compliance as major factors that cause myocardial dysfunction in sepsis.

Notwithstanding the functional and structural differences between the left and right ventricle, similar functional alterations, as discussed above, have been observed for the right ventricle, which suggests that right ventricular dysfunction in sepsis closely parallels left ventricular dysfunction.23–26 However, the relative contribution of the right ventricle to septic cardiomyopathy remains unknown.

Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis has also been analyzed with respect to its prognostic value. Parker et al,27 reviewing septic patients on initial presentation and at 24 hours to determine prognostic indicators, found a heart rate of <106 bpm to be the only cardiac parameter on presentation that predicted a favorable outcome. At 24 hours after presentation, a systemic vascular resistance index >1529 dyne · s–1 · cm–5 · m–2, a heart rate <95 bpm or a reduction in heart rate >18 bpm, and a cardiac index >0.5 L · min–1 · m–2 suggested survival.27 In a prospective study, Rhodes et al28 demonstrated the feasibility of a dobutamine stress test for outcome stratification, with nonsurvivors being characterized by an attenuated inotropic response. The well-established biomarkers in myocardial ischemia and heart failure, cardiac troponin I and T, as well as B-type natriuretic peptide, have also been evaluated with regard to sepsis-associated myocardial dysfunction. Although B-type natriuretic peptide studies have delivered conflicting results in septic patients (for review, see Maeder et al29), several small studies have reported a relationship between elevated cardiac troponin T and I and left ventricular dysfunction in sepsis, as assessed by echocardiographic ejection fraction30–33 or pulmonary artery catheter–derived left ventricular stroke work index.34 Cardiac troponin levels also correlated with the duration of hypotension35 and the intensity of vasopressor therapy.34 In addition, increased sepsis severity, measured by global scores such as the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) or the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II), was associated with increased cardiac troponin levels,31,33 as was poor short-term prognosis.32,33,35,36 Despite the heterogeneity of study populations and type of troponin studied, the mentioned studies were univocal in concluding that elevated troponin levels in septic patients reflect higher disease severity, myocardial dysfunction, and worse prognosis. In a recent meta-analysis of 23 observational studies, Lim et al37 found cardiac troponin levels to be increased in a large percentage of critically ill patients. Furthermore, in a subset of studies that permitted adjusted analysis and comprised 1706 patients, this troponin elevation was associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9 to 3.4, P<0.001)37; however, the underlying mechanisms clearly require further research.

Thus, it appears reasonable to recommend inclusion of cardiac troponins in the monitoring of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock to facilitate prognostic stratification and to increase alertness to the presence of cardiac dysfunction in individual patients. However, it remains to be shown whether risk stratification based on cardiac troponins can identify patients in whom aggressive therapeutic regimens might reap the greatest benefit and so translate into a survival benefit.


*    Mechanisms Underlying Myocardial Dysfunction in Sepsis
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowCharacteristics of Myocardial...
*Mechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
down arrowTherapeutic Approaches: The...
down arrowReferences
 
Cardiac depression during sepsis is probably multifactorial (Figure). Nevertheless, it is important to identify individual contributing factors and mechanisms to generate worthwhile therapeutic targets. As a consequence, a vast array of mechanisms, pathways, and disruptions in cellular homeostasis have been examined in septic myocardium.


Figure 1185430
View larger version (32K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]

 
Synopsis of potential underlying mechanisms in septic myocardial dysfunction. MDS indicates myocardial depressant substance.

Global Ischemia
An early theory of myocardial depression in sepsis was based on the hypothesis of global myocardial ischemia; however, septic patients have been shown to have high coronary blood flow and diminished coronary artery–coronary sinus oxygen difference.38 As in the peripheral circulation, these alterations can be attributed to disturbed flow autoregulation or disturbed oxygen utilization.39,40 Coronary sinus blood studies in patients with septic shock have also demonstrated complex metabolic alterations in septic myocardium, including increased lactate extraction, decreased free fatty acid extraction, and decreased glucose uptake.41 Furthermore, several magnetic resonance studies in animal models of sepsis have demonstrated the presence of normal high-energy phosphate levels in the myocardium.42,43 It has also been proposed that myocardial dysfunction in sepsis may reflect hibernating myocardium.44 To reach this conclusion, Levy et al44 studied a murine cecal ligation and double-puncture model and observed diminished cardiac performance, increased myocardial glucose uptake, and deposits of glycogen in a setting of preserved arterial oxygen tension and myocardial perfusion. Although all of the above-mentioned findings reflect important alterations in coronary flow and myocardial metabolism, mirroring effects observed in peripheral circulation during sepsis, there is no evidence supporting global ischemia as an underlying cause of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis. However, in septic patients with coexistent and possibly undiagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD), regional myocardial ischemia or infarction secondary to CAD may certainly occur. The manifestation of myocardial ischemia due to CAD might even be facilitated by the volatile hemodynamics in sepsis, as well as by the generalized microvascular dysfunction so frequently observed in sepsis.45 Additional CAD-aggravating factors encountered in sepsis encompass generalized inflammation and the activated coagulatory system. Furthermore, the endothelium plays a prominent role in sepsis (see below), but little is known of the impact of preexisting, CAD-associated endothelial dysfunction in this context. In a postmortem study of 21 fatal cases of septic shock, previously undiagnosed myocardial ischemia at least contributed to death in 7 of the 21 cases (all 21 patients were males, with a mean age of 60.4 years).46 It certainly appears prudent to remain wary of CAD complications while treating sepsis, especially in patients with identifiable risk factors and in view of the ever-increasing mean age of intensive care unit patients and including septic patients.

Myocardial Depressant Substance
A circulating myocardial depressant factor in septic shock was first proposed more than 50 years ago.47 Parrillo et al48 quantitatively linked the clinical degree of septic myocardial dysfunction with the effect the serum, taken from respective patients, had on rat cardiac myocytes, with clinical severity correlating well with the decrease in extent and velocity of myocyte shortening. These effects were not seen when serum from convalescent patients whose cardiac function had returned to normal was applied or when serum was obtained from other critically ill, nonseptic patients.48 In extension of these findings, ultrafiltrates from patients with severe sepsis and simultaneously reduced left ventricular stroke work index (<30 g · m–1 · m–2) displayed cardiotoxic effects and contained significantly increased concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-8, and C3a.49 Recently, Mink et al50 demonstrated that lysozyme c, a bacteriolytic agent believed to originate mainly from disintegrating neutrophilic granulocytes and monocytes, mediates cardiodepressive effects during Escherichia coli sepsis and, importantly, that competitive inhibition of lysozyme c can prevent myocardial depression in the respective experimental sepsis model. Additional potential candidates for myocardial depressant substance include other cytokines, prostanoids, and nitric oxide (NO). Some of these will be discussed below.

Cytokines
Infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an obligatory component of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls) into both animals and humans51 partially mimics the hemodynamic effects of septic shock.51,52 However, only a minority of patients with septic shock have detectable LPS levels, and the prolonged time course of septic myocardial dysfunction and the chemical characteristics of LPS are not consistent with LPS representing the sole myocardial depressant substance.48,53 Tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) is an important early mediator of endotoxin-induced shock.54 TNF-{alpha} is derived from activated macrophages, but recent studies have shown that TNF-{alpha} is also secreted by cardiac myocytes in response to sepsis.55 Although application of anti-TNF-{alpha} antibodies improved left ventricular function in patients with septic shock,56 subsequent studies using monoclonal antibodies directed against TNF-{alpha} or soluble TNF-{alpha} receptors failed to improve survival in septic patients.57–59 IL-1 is synthesized by monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils in response to TNF-{alpha} and plays a crucial role in the systemic immune response. IL-1 depresses cardiac contractility by stimulating NO synthase (NOS).60 Transcription of IL-1 is followed by delayed transcription of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1-ra), which functions as an endogenous inhibitor of IL-1. Recombinant IL-1-ra was evaluated in phase III clinical trials, which showed a tendency toward improved survival61 and increased survival time in a retrospective analysis of the patient subgroup with the most severe sepsis62; however, to date, this initially promising therapy has failed to deliver a statistically significant survival benefit. IL-6, another proinflammatory cytokine, has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and is considered a more consistent predictor of sepsis than TNF-{alpha} because of its prolonged elevation in the circulation.63 Although cytokines may very well play a key role in the early decrease in contractility, they cannot explain the prolonged duration of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis, unless they result in the induction or release of additional factors that in turn alter myocardial function, such as prostanoids or NO.64,65

Prostanoids
Prostanoids are produced by the cyclooxygenase enzyme from arachidonic acid. The expression of cyclooxygenase enzyme-2 is induced, among other stimuli, by LPS and cytokines (cyclooxygenase enzyme-1 is expressed constitutively).66 Elevated levels of prostanoids such as thromboxane and prostacyclin, which have the potential to alter coronary autoregulation, coronary endothelial function, and intracoronary leukocyte activation, have been demonstrated in septic patients.67 Early animal studies with cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as indomethacin yielded very promising results.68,69 Along with other positive results, these led to an important clinical study involving 455 septic patients who were randomized to receive intravenous ibuprofen or placebo.70 Unfortunately, that study did not demonstrate improved survival for the treatment arm. Similarly, a more recent, smaller study on the effects of lornoxicam failed to provide evidence for a survival benefit through cyclooxygenase inhibition in sepsis.71 Animal studies aimed at elucidating possible benefits of isotype-selective cyclooxygenase inhibition have so far produced conflicting results.72,73

Endothelin-1
Endothelin-1 (ET-1; for an in-depth review of endothelin in sepsis, see Gupta et al74) upregulation has been demonstrated within 6 hours of LPS-induced septic shock.75 Cardiac overexpression of ET-1 triggers an increase in inflammatory cytokines (among others, TNF-{alpha}, IL-1, and IL-6), interstitial inflammatory infiltration, and an inflammatory cardiomyopathy that results in heart failure and death.76 The involvement of ET-1 in septic myocardial dysfunction is supported by the observation that tezosentan, a dual endothelin-A and endothelin-B receptor antagonist, improved cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index in endotoxemic shock.77 However, higher doses of tezosentan exhibited cardiotoxic effects and led to increased mortality.77 Although ET-1 has been demonstrated to be of pathophysiological importance in a wide array of cardiac diseases through autocrine, endocrine, or paracrine effects, its biosynthesis, receptor-mediated signaling, and functional consequences in septic myocardial dysfunction warrant further investigation to assess the therapeutic potential of ET-1 receptor antagonists.

Nitric Oxide
NO exerts a plethora of biological effects in the cardiovascular system.78 It has been shown to modulate cardiac function under physiological and a multitude of pathophysiological conditions. In healthy volunteers, low-dose NO increases LV function, whereas inhibition of endogenous NO release by intravenous infusion of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine reduced the stroke volume index.79 Higher doses of NO have been shown to induce contractile dysfunction by depressing myocardial energy generation.80 The absence of the important NO scavenger myoglobin (Mb) in Mb knockout mice results in impaired cardiac function that is partially reversible by NOS inhibition.81 Endogenous NO contributes to hibernation in response to myocardial ischemia by reducing oxygen consumption and preserving calcium sensitivity and contractile function.82 NO also represents a potent modulator of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, as in sepsis-related NO research, the reported effects of NO on ischemia/reperfusion injury are inconsistent owing to a multitude of confounding experimental factors.83

Sepsis leads to the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) in the myocardium,84,85 followed by high-level NO production, which in turn importantly contributes to myocardial dysfunction, in part through the generation of cytotoxic peroxynitrite, a product of NO and superoxide (for an excellent review, see Pacher et al86). In iNOS-deficient mice, cardiac function is preserved after endotoxin challenge.87 Nonspecific NOS inhibition restores cardiac output and stroke volume after LPS injection.88 Strikingly, in septic patients, infusion of methylene blue, a nonspecific NOS inhibitor, improves mean arterial pressure, stroke volume, and left ventricular stroke work and decreases the requirement for inotropic support but, unfortunately, does not alter outcome.89 An interesting study comparing the inhibition of NO superoxide and peroxynitrite in cytokine-induced myocardial contractile failure found peroxynitrite to indeed be the most promising therapeutic target.90 It has also been proposed that the constitutively expressed mitochondrial isoform of NOS (mtNOS), the expression of which can be augmented by induction, controls rates of oxidative phosphorylation by inhibiting various steps of the respiratory chain.91 Although this hypothesis would provide a plausible explanation for the reduced coronary oxygen extraction observed during sepsis (see above), the effects of sepsis on expression of mtNOS and NO generation remain to be explored. Furthermore, the constitutively expressed endothelial NOS (eNOS), previously neglected in the context of sepsis, has been shown to be an important regulator of iNOS expression, resulting in a more stable hemodynamic status in eNOS-deficient mice after endotoxemia.92 Very recently, a functional NOS in red blood cells (rbcNOS) was identified that regulates deformability of erythrocyte membranes and inhibits activation of platelets.93 With both effect targets thus far demonstrated for rbcNOS lying at the core of microvascular dysfunction in sepsis, this discovery opens a whole new window to NO-related sepsis research. Given the existence of different NOS isoforms and their various modulating interactions, dose-dependent NO effects, and the precise balance of NO, superoxide, and thus peroxynitrite generated in subcellular compartments, further advances in our understanding of the complex NO biology and its derived reactive nitrogen species hold the promise of revealing new, more specific and effective therapeutic targets.

Adhesion Molecules
Surface-expression upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 has been demonstrated in murine coronary endothelium and cardiomyocytes after LPS and TNF-{alpha} stimulation.94 After cecal ligation and double puncture, myocardial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression increases in rats.95 Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 blockade with antibodies has been shown to prevent myocardial dysfunction and decrease myocardial neutrophil accumulation,94,96 whereas both knockout and antibody blockade of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ameliorate myocardial dysfunction in endotoxemia without affecting neutrophil accumulation.94 In addition, neutrophil depletion does not protect against septic cardiomyopathy, which suggests that the cardiotoxic potential of neutrophils infiltrating the myocardium is of lesser importance in this context.94 Other aspects of adhesion molecules are discussed in conjunction with possible statin effects below.


*    Therapeutic Approaches: The Present and the Future
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowCharacteristics of Myocardial...
up arrowMechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
*Therapeutic Approaches: The...
down arrowReferences
 
A detailed discussion of therapeutic options in septic patients would clearly be beyond the scope of this review, and readers are kindly referred to the multiple excellent reviews published on the subject (eg, Hotchkiss and Karl,2 Annane et al,4 and Dellinger et al97). Although a number of preventive measures, such as prophylactic antibiotics, maintenance of normoglycemia, selective digestive tract decontamination, vaccines, and intravenous immunoglobulin, have shown benefit in distinct patient populations, preventive strategies with a broader aim remain elusive. Once sepsis is manifest (see the Table for criteria), prompt and adequate antibiotic therapy accompanied by surgical removal of the infectious focus, if indicated and feasible, is the mainstay and also the only strictly causal line of therapy. In the presence of severe sepsis and septic shock, supportive treatment in addition to causal therapy is mandatory. Supportive therapy encompasses early and goal-directed fluid resuscitation,9 vasopressor and inotropic therapy, red blood cell transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and renal support when indicated. It is very likely beneficial to monitor cardiac performance in these patients. A wide array of techniques are available for this purpose, ranging from echocardiography to pulmonary catheters, thermodilution techniques, and pulse pressure analysis.98 Because none of these techniques have demonstrated superiority, physicians should use the method with which they are most familiar. Whichever method is chosen, it should be applied frequently to tailor supportive therapy to the individual patient and to achieve the "gold standard" of early goal-directed therapy. In recent years, several attempts have been made to therapeutically address myocardial dysfunction in sepsis. Although the combination of norepinephrine as vasopressor and dobutamine as inotropic agent is probably the most frequently applied in septic shock, there is currently no evidence to recommend one catecholamine over the other.97 In human endotoxemia, epinephrine has been demonstrated to inhibit proinflammatory pathways and coagulation activation, as well as to augment antiinflammatory pathways,99,100 whereas no immunomodulatory or coagulant effects could be demonstrated for dobutamine in a similar setting.101 Isoproterenol has recently been applied successfully in a small group of patients with septic shock, no known history of CAD, and inappropriate mixed venous oxygen concentration despite correction of hypoxemia and anemia.102 In a cecal ligation and double-puncture model of sepsis, the β-blocker esmolol given continuously after sepsis induction improved myocardial oxygen utilization and attenuated myocardial dysfunction,103 which suggests that therapeutic strategies proven in ischemic heart failure might also hold promise in septic cardiomyopathy. However, the optimal mode of β-receptor stimulation (or indeed inhibition) to limit myocardial dysfunction remains a wide-open field for inspired investigation.

Given the generally accepted view of sepsis as a disease largely propelled by an inappropriate immune response, numerous basic research and clinical trials have been undertaken to curb the lethal toll of sepsis through modulation of this uncontrolled immune response.2,3 To date, activated protein C104 and low-dose hydrocortisone105 have emerged as the only inflammation-modulating substances that have been confirmed to be of benefit in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Over the past years, increasing evidence has accumulated that suggests that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, or statins, have therapeutic benefits independent of cholesterol lowering, termed "pleiotropic" effects. These have added a wide scope of potential targets for statin therapy that range from decreasing renal function loss106 and lowering mortality in patients with diastolic heart failure107 to prevention and treatment of stroke,108 to name just a few. These pleiotropic effects include antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties, improvement of endothelial function, and increased NO bioavailability and thus might contribute to the benefit observed with statin therapy. Notably, these important immunomodulatory effects of statins have been demonstrated to be independent of lipid lowering109 and appear to be mediated via interference with the synthesis of mevalonate metabolites (nonsteroidal isoprenoid products). Blockade of the mevalonate pathway has been shown to suppress T-cell responses,110 reduce expression of class II major histocompatibility complexes on antigen presenting cells,109 and inhibit chemokine synthesis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.111 Furthermore, CD11b integrin expression and CD11b-dependent adhesion of monocytes have been found to be attenuated by the initiation of statin treatment in hypercholesterolemic patients.112 In this context, Yoshida et al113 have reported that statins reduce the expression of both monocytic and endothelial adhesion molecules, eg, the integrin leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), via an inhibition of Rho GTPases, in particular their membrane anchoring by geranylation. In addition, mechanisms for antiinflammatory actions of statins have been revealed that are not related to the isoprenoid metabolism. For instance, Weitz-Schmidt et al114 have identified that some statins act as direct antagonists of LFA-1 owing to their capacity to bind to the regulatory site in the LFA-1 i-domain. In addition to these multifaceted antiinflammatory effects, statins may interfere with activation of the coagulation cascade, as illustrated by the suppression of LPS-induced monocyte tissue factor in vitro.115 Beyond their immunomodulatory functions, statins have been shown to exert direct antichlamydial effects during pulmonary infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae in mice,116 and a recent report suggests the benefit of statins may also extend to viral pathogens.117

Given the strong impact of statins on inflammation, statins might represent a welcome enforcement in the battle against severe infectious diseases such as sepsis. Consequently, several investigators have evaluated the role of statins in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. In a retrospective analysis, Liappis et al118 demonstrated a reduced overall and attributable mortality in patients with bacteremia who were treated concomitantly with statins. Pretreatment with simvastatin has been shown to profoundly improve survival in a polymicrobial murine model of sepsis by preservation of cardiovascular function and inhibition of inflammatory alterations.19 Encouraged by these findings, the same model was used to successfully treat sepsis in a clinically feasible fashion, ie, treatment was initiated several hours after the onset of sepsis. With different statins (atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin) being effective, the therapeutic potential of statins in sepsis appears to be a class effect.22 Recently, Steiner et al119 observed that pretreatment with simvastatin can suppress the inflammatory response induced by LPS in healthy human volunteers. Furthermore, in a prospective observational cohort study in patients with acute bacterial infections performed by Almog et al,120 previous treatment with statins was associated with a considerably reduced rate of severe sepsis and intensive care unit admissions. A total of 361 patients were enrolled in that study, and 82 of these patients had been treated with statins for at least 4 weeks before their admission. Severe sepsis developed in 19% of patients in the no-statin group compared with only 2.4% in patients who were taking statins. The intensive care unit admission rates were 12.2% for the no-statin group and 3.7% for the statin group. Because of the number of patients enrolled, the study was not powered to detect differences in mortality, although the large effect on sepsis rate and intensive care unit admission were at least suggestive. As the most recent development in this field, Hackam et al121 have produced an impressive observational study by initial evaluation of 141 487 cardiovascular patients, which resulted in a well-paired and homogenous study cohort of 69 168 patients after propensity-based matching. Drawing from this solid base, Hackam and coauthors were able to support the conclusion that statin therapy is associated with a considerably decreased rate of sepsis (hazard ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.90), severe sepsis (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.97), and fatal sepsis (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.93). This protective effect prevailed at both high and low statin doses and for several clinically important subpopulations, such as diabetic and heart failure patients.

As has been suggested previously,122 statins might provide cumulative benefit by reducing mortality from cardiovascular and infectious diseases such as sepsis. However, statins may have detrimental effects in distinct subsets of patients. Therefore, caution should prevail, and the use of statins in patients with sepsis must be accompanied by meticulous monitoring of unexpected side effects and well-designed randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Beyond an apparent rationale for randomized trials on statins in sepsis, it is notable that the results with other immunomodulatory approaches in sepsis have yielded rather limited success. For instance, use of the anti-TNF antibody F(ab')2 fragment afelimomab led to a significant but rather modest reduction in risk of death and to improved organ-failure scores in patients with severe sepsis and elevated IL-6 levels.123 Moreover, a selective inhibitor of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 failed to improve clinical outcome for patients with severe sepsis, with a negative trend most pronounced among patients with cardiovascular failure.124 Hence, because none of the available strategies proven to be effective in sepsis are designed specifically to target myocardial dysfunction, one might conclude that strategies that preferentially address cardiac morbidity in sepsis may be a promising area for investigation. For instance, lipoteichoic acid, a major virulence factor in Gram-positive sepsis, causes cardiac depression by activating myocardial TNF-{alpha} synthesis via CD14 and induces coronary vascular disturbances by activating thromboxane 2 synthesis. It thus contributes to cardiac depression and may therefore be a worthwhile and cardiac-specific target.125 The implications of intensified efforts in the search for successful novel approaches to the treatment of myocardial dysfunction in sepsis may be considerable with regard to improved patient care that results in reduced mortality. This is of major significance in view of the substantial economic consequences of increasing sepsis morbidity in an aging population.


*    Acknowledgments
 
Sources of Funding

The present work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Me1821/2, Me1821/3, and We1913/11) and the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF Biomat).

Disclosures

None.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowCharacteristics of Myocardial...
up arrowMechanisms Underlying Myocardial...
up arrowTherapeutic Approaches: The...
*References
 
1. Bone RC, Balk RA, Cerra FB, Dellinger RP, Fein AM, Knaus WA, Schein RMH, Sibbald WJ. Definitions for sepsis and organ failure and guidelines for the use of innovative therapies in sepsis. Chest. 1992; 101: 1644–1655.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2. Hotchkiss RS, Karl IE. The pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis. N Engl J Med. 2003; 348: 138–150.[Free Full Text]

3. Riedemann NC, Guo R, Ward PA. Novel strategies for the treatment of sepsis. Nat Med. 2003; 9: 517–524.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

4. Annane D, Bellissant E, Cavaillon JM. Septic shock. Lancet. 2005; 365: 63–78.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

5. Martin GS, Mannino DM, Eaton S, Moss M. The epidemiology of sepsis in the United States from 1979 through 2000. N Engl J Med. 2003; 348: 1546–1554.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

6. Angus DC, Linde-Zwirble WT, Lidicker J, Clermont G, Carcillo J, Pinsky MR. Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the United States: analysis of incidence, outcome, and associated costs of care. Crit Care Med. 2001; 29: 1303–1310.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

7. Padkin A, Goldfrad C, Brady AR, Young D, Black N, Rowan K. Epidemiology of severe sepsis occurring in the first 24 hrs in intensive care units in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Crit Care Med. 2003; 31: 2332–2338.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

8. Waisbren BA. Bacteremia due to gram-negative bacilli other than the Salmonella: a clinical and therapeutic study. AMA Arch Intern Med. 1951; 88: 467–488.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

9. Rivers E, Nguyen B, Havstad S, Ressler J, Muzzin A, Knoblich B, Peterson E, Tomlanovich M; Early Goal-Directed Therapy Collaborative Group. Early goal-directed therapy in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. N Engl J Med. 2001; 345: 1368–1377.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

10. Bone RC. Gram-negative sepsis: background, clinical features, and intervention. Chest. 1991; 100: 802–808.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

11. Parker MM, Shelhamer JH, Bacharach SL, Green MV, Natanson C, Frederick TM, Damske BA, Parrillo JE. Profound but reversible myocardial depression in patients with septic shock. Ann Intern Med. 1984; 100: 483–490.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

12. Parrillo JE, Parker MM, Natanson C, Suffredini AF, Danner RL, Cunnion RE, Ognibene FP. Septic shock in humans: advances in the understanding of pathogenesis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113: 227–242.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

13. Calvin JE, Driedger AA, Sibbald WJ. An assessment of myocardial function in human sepsis utilizing ECG gated cardiac scintigraphy. Chest. 1981; 80: 579–586.[Free Full Text]

14. Jafri SM, Lavine S, Field BE, Bahorozian MT, Carlson RW. Left ventricular diastolic function in sepsis. Crit Care Med. 1990; 18: 709–714.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

15. Munt B, Jue J, Gin K, Fenwick J, Tweeddale M. Diastolic filling in human severe sepsis: an echocardiographic study. Crit Care Med. 1998; 26: 1829–1833.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

16. Poelaert J, Declerck C, Vogelaers D, Colardyn F, Visser CA. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in septic shock. Intensive Care Med. 1997; 23: 553–560.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

17. Ren J, Ren BH, Sharma AC. Sepsis-induced depressed contractile function of isolated ventricular myocytes is due to altered calcium transient properties. Shock. 2002; 18: 285–288.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

18. McDonough KH, Smith T, Patel K, Quinn M. Myocardial dysfunction in the septic rat heart: role of nitric oxide. Shock. 1998; 10: 371–376.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

19. Merx MW, Liehn EA, Janssens U, Lütticken R, Schrader J, Hanrath P, Weber C. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin profoundly improves survival in a murine model of sepsis. Circulation. 2004; 109: 2560–2565.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

20. Natanson C, Fink MP, Ballantyne HK, Mac Vittie TJ, Conklin JJ, Parrillo JE. Gram-negative bacteremia produces both severe systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction in a canine model that simulates human septic shock. J Clin Invest. 1986; 78: 259–270.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

21. Stahl TJ, Alden PB, Ring WS, Madoff RC, Cerra FB. Sepsis-induced diastolic dysfunction in chronic canine peritonitis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 1990; 258: H625–H633.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

22. Merx MW, Liehn EA, Graf J, van de Sandt A, Schaltenbrand M, Schrader J, Hanrath P, Weber C. Statin treatment after onset of sepsis in a murine model improves survival. Circulation. 2005; 112: 117–124.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

23. Vincent JL, Thirion M, Brimioulle S, Lejeune P, Kahn RJ. Thermodilution measurement of right ventricular ejection fraction with a modified pulmonary artery catheter. Intensive Care Med. 1986; 12: 33–38.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

24. Dhainaut JF, Brunet F, Monsaillier JF, Villemant D, Devaux JY, Konno M, De Gournay JM, Armaganidis A, Iotti G, Huyghebaert MF. Bedside evaluation of right ventricular performance using a rapid computerized thermodilution method. Crit Care Med. 1987; 15: 148–152.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

25. Dhainaut JF, Lanore JJ, de Gournay JM, Huyghebaert MF, Brunet F, Villemant D, Monsallier JF. Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with septic shock. Intensive Care Med. 1988; 14: 488–491.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

26. Parker MM, McCarthy KE, Ognibene FP, Parrillo JE. Right ventricular dysfunction and dilatation, similar to left ventricular changes, characterize the cardiac depression of septic shock in humans. Chest. 1990; 97: 126–131.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

27. Parker MM, Shelhamer JH, Natanson C, Alling DW, Parrillo JE. Serial cardiovascular variables in survivors and nonsurvivors of human septic shock: heart rate as an early predictor of prognosis. Crit Care Med. 1987; 15: 923–929.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

28. Rhodes A, Lamb FJ, Malagon I, Newman PJ, Grounds RM, Bennett ED. A prospective study of the use of a dobutamine stress test to identify outcome in patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock. Crit Care Med. 1999; 27: 2361–2366.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

29. Maeder M, Fehr T, Rickli H, Ammann P. Sepsis-associated myocardial dysfunction: diagnostic and prognostic impact of cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides. Chest. 2006; 129: 1349–1366.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

30. Fernandes CJ, Akamine N, Knobel E. Cardiac troponin: a new serum marker of myocardial injury in sepsis. Intensive Care Med. 1999; 25: 1165–1168.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

31. ver Elst KM, Spapen HD, Nguyen DN, Garbar C, Huyghens LP, Gorus FK. Cardiac troponins I and T are biological markers of left ventricular dysfunction in septic shock. Clin Chem. 2000; 46: 650–657.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

32. Ammann P, Fehr T, Minder EI, Gunter C, Bertel O. Elevation of troponin I in sepsis and septic shock. Intensive Care Med. 2001; 27: 965–969.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

33. Mehta NJ, Khan IA, Gupta V, Jani K, Gowda RM, Smith PR. Cardiac troponin I predicts myocardial dysfunction and adverse outcome in septic shock. Int J Cardiol. 2004; 95: 13–17.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

34. Turner A, Tsamitros M, Bellomo R. Myocardial cell injury in septic shock. Crit Care Med. 1999; 27: 1775–1780.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

35. Arlati S, Brenna S, Prencipe L, Marocchi A, Casella GP, Lanzani M, Gandini C. Myocardial necrosis in ICU patients with acute non-cardiac disease: a prospective study. Intensive Care Med. 2000; 26: 31–37.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

36. Spies C, Haude V, Fitzner R, Schroder K, Overbeck M, Runkel N, Schaffartzik W. Serum cardiac troponin T as a prognostic marker in early sepsis. Chest. 1998; 113: 1055–1063.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

37. Lim W, Qushmag I, Devereaux PJ, Heels-Ansdell D, Lauzier F, Ismaila AS, Crowther MA, Cook DJ. Elevated cardiac troponin measurements in critically ill patients. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166: 2446–2454.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

38. Cunnion RE, Schaer GL, Parker MM, Natanson C, Parrillo JE. The coronary circulation in human septic shock. Circulation. 1986; 73: 637–644.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

39. Herbertson MJ, Werner HA, Russell JA, Iversen K, Walley KR. Myocardial oxygen extraction ratio is decreased during endotoxemia in pigs. J Appl Physiol. 1995; 79: 479–486.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

40. Powell RJ, Machiedo GW, Rush BF, Dikdan G. Oxygen free radicals: effect on red cell deformability in sepsis. Crit Care Med. 1991; 19: 732–735.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

41. Dhainaut JF, Huyghebaert MF, Monsallier JF, Lefevre G, Dall’Ava-Santucci J, Brunet F, Villemant D, Carli A, Raichvarg D. Coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism of lactate, free fatty acids, glucose, and ketones in patients with septic shock. Circulation. 1987; 75: 533–541.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

42. Solomon MA, Correa R, Alexander HR, Koev LA, Cobb JP, Kim DK, Roberts WC, Quezado ZM, Scholz TD, Cunnion RE, Hoffman WD, Bacher J, Yatsiv I, Danner RL, Banks SM, Ferrans VJ, Balaban RS, Natanson C. Myocardial energy metabolism and morphology in a canine model of sepsis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 1994; 266: H757–H768.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

43. Van Lambalgen AA, van Kraats AA, Mulder MF, Teerlink T, van den Bos GC. High-energy phosphates in heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle of endotoxemic rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 1994; 266: H1581–H1587.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

44. Levy RJ, Piel DA, Acton PD, Zhou R, Ferrari VA, Karp JS, Deutschman CS. Evidence of myocardial hibernation in the septic heart. Crit Care Med. 2005; 33: 2752–2756.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

45. Hinshaw LB. Sepsis/septic shock: participation of the microcirculation: an abbreviated review. Crit Care Med. 1996; 24: 1072–1078.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

46. Hoffmann R. Tissue Doppler echocardiography: already of clinical significance? Z Kardiol. 2002; 91: 677–684.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

47. Wiggers CJ. Myocardial depression in shock: a survey of cardiodynamic studies. Am Heart J. 1947; 33: 633–650.[CrossRef]

48. Parrillo JE, Burch C, Shelhamer JH, Parker MM, Natanson C, Schuette W. A circulating myocardial depressant substance in humans with septic shock: septic shock patients with a reduced ejection fraction have a circulating factor that depresses in vitro myocardial cell performance. J Clin Invest. 1985; 76: 1539–1553.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

49. Hoffmann JN, Werdan K, Hartl WH, Jochum M, Faist E, Inthorn D. Hemofiltrate from patients with severe sepsis and depressed left ventricular contractility contains cardiotoxic compounds. Shock. 1999; 13: 174–180.

50. Mink SN, Jacobs H, Duke K, Bose D, Cheng ZQ, Light RB. N,N',N''-triacetylglucosamine, an inhibitor of lysozyme, prevents myocardial depression in Escherichia coli sepsis in dogs. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32: 184–193.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

51. Suffredini AF, Fromm RE, Parker MM, Brenner M, Kovacs JA, Wesley RA, Parrillo JE. The cardiovascular response of normal humans to the administration of endotoxin. N Engl J Med. 1989; 321: 280–287.[Abstract]

52. Danner RL, Elin RJ, Hosseini JM, Wesley RA, Reilly JM, Parrillo JE. Endotoxemia in human septic shock. Chest. 1991; 99: 169–175.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

53. Reilly JM, Cunnion RE, Burch-Whitman C, Parker MM, Shelhamer JH, Parrillo JE. A circulating myocardial depressant substance is associated with cardiac dysfunction and peripheral hypoperfusion (lactic acidemia) in patients with septic shock. Chest. 1989; 95: 1072–1080.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

54. Sharma AC, Motew SJ, Farias S, Alden KJ, Bosmann HB, Law WR, Ferguson JL. Sepsis alters myocardial and plasma concentrations of endothelin and nitric oxide in rats. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1997; 29: 1469–1477.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

55. Horton JW, Maass D, White J, Sanders B. Nitric oxide modulation of TNF-alpha-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction is concentration dependent. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2000; 278: H1955–H1965.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

56. Vincent JL, Bakker J, Marecaux G, Schandene L, Kahn RJ, Dupont E. Administration of anti-TNF antibody improves left ventricular function in septic shock patients: results of a pilot study. Chest. 1992; 101: 810–815.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

57. Fisher CJ, Agosti JM, Opal SM, Lowry SF, Balk RA, Sadoff JC, Abraham E, Schein RM, Benjamin E; the Soluble TNF Receptor Sepsis Study Group. Treatment of septic shock with the tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc fusion protein. N Engl J Med. 1996; 334: 1697–1702.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

58. Abraham E, Glauser MP, Butler T, Garbino J, Gelmont D, Laterre PF, Kudsk K, Bruining HA, Otto C, Tobin E, Zwingelstein C, Lesslauer W, Leighton A; Ro 45-2081 Study Group. p55 Tumor necrosis factor receptor fusion protein in the treatment of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: a randomized controlled multicenter trial. JAMA. 1997; 277: 1531–1538.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

59. Abraham E, Anzueto A, Gutierrez G, Tessler S, San Pedro G, Wunderink R, Dal Nogare A, Nasraway S, Berman S, Cooney R, Levy H, Baughman R, Rumbak M, Light RB, Poole L, Allred R, Constant J, Pennington J, Porter S; NORASEPT II Study Group. Double-blind randomised controlled trial of monoclonal antibody to human tumour necrosis factor in treatment of septic shock. Lancet. 1998; 351: 929–933.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

60. Francis SE, Holden H, Holt CM, Duff GW. Interleukin-1 in myocardium and coronary arteries of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1998; 30: 215–223.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

61. Opal SM, Fisher CJ Jr, Dhainaut JF, Vincent JL, Brase R, Lowry SF, Sadoff JC, Slotman GJ, Levy H, Balk RA, Shelly MP, Pribble JP, LaBrecque JF, Lookabaugh J, Donovan H, Dubin H, Baughman R, Norman J, DeMaria E, Matzel K, Abraham E, Seneff M; Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Sepsis Investigator Group. Confirmatory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist trial in severe sepsis: a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Crit Care Med. 1997; 25: 1115–1124.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

62. Fisher CJ Jr, Dhainaut JF, Opal SM, Pribble JP, Balk RA, Slotman GJ, Iberti TJ, Rackow EC, Shapiro MJ, Greenman RL; Phase III rhIL-1ra Sepsis Syndrome Study Group. Recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in the treatment of patients with sepsis syndrome: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. JAMA. 1994; 271: 1836–1843.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

63. Damas P, Ledoux D, Nys M, Vrindts Y, De Groote D, Franchimont P, Lamy M. Cytokine serum level during severe sepsis in human IL-6 as a marker of severity. Ann Surg. 1992; 215: 356–362.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

64. Schulz R, Nava E, Moncada S. Induction and potential biological relevance of a Ca2+-independent nitric oxide synthase in the myocardium. Br J Pharmacol. 1992; 105: 575–580.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

65. Finkel MS, Oddis CV, Jacob TD, Watkins SC, Hattler BG, Simmons RL. Negative inotropic effects of cytokines on the heart mediated by nitric oxide. Science. 1992; 257: 387–389.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

66. Liu SF, Newton R, Evans TW, Barnes PJ. Differential regulation of cyclo-oxygenase-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 gene expression by lipopolysaccharide treatment in vivo in the rat. Clin Sci (Lond). 1996; 90: 301–306.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

67. Reines HD, Halushka PV, Cook JA, Wise WC, Rambo W. Plasma thromboxane concentrations are raised in patients dying with septic shock. Lancet. 1982; 2: 174–175.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

68. Fletcher JR, Ramwell PW. Modification, by aspirin and indomethacin, of the haemodynamic and prostaglandin releasing effects of E. coli endotoxin in the dog. Br J Pharmacol. 1977; 61: 175–181.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

69. Parratt JR, Sturgess RM. E. coli endotoxin shock in the cat; treatment with indomethacin. Br J Pharmacol. 1975; 53: 485–488.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

70. Bernard GR, Wheeler AP, Russel JA, Schein R, Summer WR, Steinberg KP, Fulkerson WJ, Wright PE, Christmann BW, Dupont WD, Higgins SB, Swindell BB; The Ibuprofen in Sepsis Study Group. The effects of ibuprofen on the physiology and survival of patients with sepsis. N Engl J Med. 1997; 336: 912–918.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

71. Memis D, Karamanlioglu B, Turan A, Koyuncu O, Pamukcu Z. Effects of lornoxicam on the physiology of severe sepsis. Crit Care. 2004; 8: R474–R482.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

72. Tunctan B, Altug S, Uludag O, Demirkay B, Abacioglu N. Effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on nitric oxide production and survival in a mice model of sepsis. Pharmacol Res. 2003; 48: 37–48.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

73. Reddy RC, Chen GH, Tateda K, Tsai WC, Phare SM, Mancuso P, Peters-Golden M, Standiford TJ. Selective inhibition of COX-2 improves early survival in murine endotoxemia but not in bacterial peritonitis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2001; 281: L537–L543.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

74. Gupta A, Brahmbhatt S, Kapoor R, Loken L, Sharma AC. Chronic peritoneal sepsis: myocardial dysfunction, endothelin and signaling mechanisms. Front Biosci. 2005; 10: 3183–3205.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

75. Shindo T, Kurihara H, Kurihara Y, Morita H, Yazaki Y. Upregulation of endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin gene expression in the mouse endotoxin shock model. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1998; 31: S541–S544.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

76. Yang LL, Gros R, Kabir MG, Sadi A, Gotlieb AI, Husain M, Stewart DJ. Conditional cardiac overexpression of endothelin-1 induces inflammation and dilated cardiomyopathy in mice. Circulation. 2004; 109: 255–261.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

77. Konrad D, Oldner A, Rossi P, Wanecek M, Rudehill A, Weitzberg E. Differentiated and dose-related cardiovascular effects of a dual endothelin receptor antagonist in endotoxin shock. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32: 1192–1199.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

78. Schulz R, Rassaf T, Massion PB, Kelm M, Balligand JL. Recent advances in the understanding of the role of nitric oxide in cardiovascular homeostasis. Pharmacol Ther. 2005; 108: 225–256.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

79. Rassaf T, Poll LW, Brouzos P, Lauer T, Totzeck M, Kleinbongard P, Gharini P, Andersen K, Schulz R, Heusch G, Modder U, Kelm M. Positive effects of nitric oxide on left ventricular function in humans. Eur Heart J. 2006; 27: 1699–1705.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

80. Kelm M, Schafer S, Dahmann R, Dolu B, Perings S, Decking UK, Schrader J, Strauer BE. Nitric oxide induced contractile dysfunction is related to a reduction in myocardial energy generation. Cardiovasc Res. 1997; 36: 185–194.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

81. Merx MW, Godecke A, Flogel U, Schrader J. Oxygen supply and nitric oxide scavenging by myoglobin contribute to exercise endurance and cardiac function. FASEB J. 2005; 19: 1015–1017.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

82. Heusch G, Post H, Michel MC, Kelm M, Schulz R. Endogenous nitric oxide and myocardial adaptation to ischemia. Circ Res. 2000; 87: 146–152.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

83. Schulz R, Kelm M, Heusch G. Nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Cardiovasc Res. 2004; 61: 402–413.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

84. Preiser JC, Zhang H, Vray B, Hrabak A, Vincent JL. Time course of inducible nitric oxide synthase activity following endotoxin administration in dogs. Nitric Oxide. 2001; 5: 208–211.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

85. Khadour FH, Panas D, Ferdinandy P, Schulze C, Csont T, Lalu MM, Wildhirt SM, Schulz R. Enhanced NO and superoxide generation in dysfunctional hearts from endotoxemic rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2002; 283: H1108–H1115.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

86. Pacher P, Beckman JS, Liaudet L. Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in health and disease. Physiol Rev. 2007; 87: 315–424.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

87. Ullrich R, Scherrer-Crosbie M, Bloch KD, Ichinose F, Nakajima H, Picard MH, Zapol WM, Quezado ZM. Congenital deficiency of nitric oxide synthase 2 protects against endotoxin-induced myocardial dysfunction in mice. Circulation. 2000; 102: 1440–1446.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

88. Hwang TL, Yeh CC. Hemodynamic and hepatic microcirculational changes in endotoxemic rats treated with different NOS inhibitors. Hepatogastroenterology. 2003; 50: 188–191.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

89. Kirov MY, Evgenov OV, Evgenov NV, Egorina EM, Sovershaev MA, Sveinbjornsson B, Nedashkovsky EV, Bjertanaes LJ. Infusion of methylene blue in human septic shock: a pilot, randomized, controlled study. Crit Care Med. 2001; 29: 1860–1867.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

90. Ferdinandy P, Danial H, Ambrus I, Rothery RA, Schulz R. Peroxynitrite is a major contributor to cytokine-induced myocardial contractile failure. Circ Res. 2000; 87: 241–247.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

91. Elfering SL, Sarkela TM, Giulivi C. Biochemistry of mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase. J Biol Chem. 2002; 277: 38079–38086.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

92. Connelly L, Madhani M, Hobbs AJ. Resistance to endotoxic shock in endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) knock-out mice: a pro-inflammatory role for eNOS-derived NO in vivo. J Biol Chem. 2005; 280: 10040–10046.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

93. Kleinbongard P, Schulz R, Rassaf T, Lauer T, Dejam A, Jax TW, Kumara I, Gharini P, Kabanova S, Ozuyaman B, Schnurch H-G, Gödecke A, Weber A-A, Robenek M, Robenek H, Bloch W, Rosen P, Kelm M. Red blood cells express a functional endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Blood. 2006; 107: 2943–2951.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

94. Raeburn CD, Calkins CM, Zimmerman MA, Song Y, Ao L, Banerjee A, Harken AH, Meng X. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mediate endotoxemic myocardial dysfunction independent of neutrophil accumulation. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2002; 283: R477–R486.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

95. Neviere R, Guery B, Mordon S, Zerimech F, Charre S, Wattel F, Chopin C. Inhaled NO reduces leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and myocardial dysfunction in endotoxemic rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2000; 278: H1783–H1790.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

96. Raeburn CD, Calkins CM, Zimmerman MA, Song Y, Ao L, Banerjee A, Meng X, Harken AH. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression is obligatory for endotoxin-induced myocardial neutrophil accumulation and contractile dysfunction. Surgery. 2001; 130: 319–325.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

97. Dellinger RP, Carlet JM, Masur H, Gerlach H, Calandra T, Cohen J, Gea-Banacloche J, Keh D, Marshall JC, Parker MM, Ramsay G, Zimmerman JL, Vincent JL, Levy MM. Surviving sepsis campaign guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32: 858–873.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

98. Hollenberg SM, Ahrens TS, Annane D, Astiz ME, Chalfin DB, Dasta JF, Heard SO, Martin C, Napolitano LM, Susla GM, Totaro R, Vincent JL, Zanotti-Cavazzoni S. Practice parameters for hemodynamic support of sepsis in adult patients: 2004 update. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32: 1928–1948.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

99. van der Poll T, Coyle SM, Barbosa K, Braxton CC, Lowry SF. Epinephrine inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha and potentiates interleukin 10 production during human endotoxemia. J Clin Invest. 1996; 97: 713–719.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

100. van der Poll T, Levi M, Dentener M, Jansen PM, Coyle SM, Braxton CC, Buurman WA, Hack CE, ten Cate JW, Lowry SF. Epinephrine exerts anticoagulant effects during human endotoxemia. J Exp Med. 1997; 185: 1143–1148.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

101. Lemaire L, de Kruif M, Giebelen IA, Levi M, van der Poll T, Heesen M. Dobutamine does not influence inflammatory pathways during human endotoxemia. Crit Care Med. 2006; 34: 1365–1371.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

102. Leone M, Boyadjiev I, Boulos E, Antonini F, Visintini P, Albanese J, Martin C. A reappraisal of isoproterenol in goal-directed therapy of septic shock. Shock. 2006; 26: 353–357.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

103. Suzuki T, Morisaki H, Serita R, Yamamoto M, Kotake Y, Ishizaka A, Takeda J. Infusion of the beta-adrenergic blocker esmolol attenuates myocardial dysfunction in septic rats. Crit Care Med. 2005; 33: 2294–2301.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

104. Bernard GR, Vincent JL, Laterre PF, LaRosa SP, Dhainaut JF, Lopez-Rodriguez A, Steingrub JS, Garber GE, Helterbrand JD, Ely EW, Fisher CJ Jr; Recombinant Human Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) Study Group. Efficacy and safety of recombinant human activated protein C for severe sepsis. N Engl J Med. 2001; 344: 699–709.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

105. Annane D. Corticosteroids for septic shock. Crit Care Med. 2001; 29: S117–S120.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

106. Tonelli M, Isles C, Craven T, Tonkin A, Pfeffer MA, Shepherd J, Sacks FM, Furberg C, Cobbe SM, Simes J, West M, Packard C, Curhan GC. Effect of pravastatin on rate of kidney function loss in people with or at risk for coronary disease. Circulation. 2005; 112: 171–178.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

107. Fukuta H, Sane DC, Brucks S, Little WC. Statin therapy may be associated with lower mortality in patients with diastolic heart failure: a preliminary report. Circulation. 2005; 112: 357–363.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

108. Zhang L, Zhang ZG, Ding GL, Jiang Q, Liu X, Meng H, Hozeska A, Zhang C, Li L, Morris D, Zhang RL, Lu M, Chopp M. Multitargeted effects of statin-enhanced thrombolytic therapy for stroke with recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator in the rat. Circulation. 2005; 112: 3486–3494.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

109. Kwak B, Mulhaupt F, Myit S, Mach F. Statins as a newly recognized type of immunomodulator. Nat Med. 2000; 6: 1399–1402.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

110. Kurakata S, Kada M, Shimada Y, Komai T, Nomoto K. Effects of different inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, pravastatin sodium and simvastatin, on sterol synthesis and immunological functions in human lymphocytes in vitro. Immunopharmacology. 1996; 34: 51–61.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

111. Romano M, Diomede L, Sironi M, Massimiliano L, Sottocorno M, Polentarutti N, Guglielmotti A, Albani D, Bruno A, Fruscella P, Salmona M, Vecchi A, Pinza M, Mantovani A. Inhibition of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 synthesis by statins. Lab Invest. 2000; 80: 1095–1100.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

112. Weber C, Erl W, Weber KS, Weber PC. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors decrease CD11b expression and CD11b-dependent adhesion of monocytes to endothelium and reduce increased adhesiveness of monocytes isolated from patients with hypercholesterolemia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997; 30: 1212–1217.[Abstract]

113. Yoshida M, Sawada T, Ishii H, Gerszten RE, Rosenzweig A, Gimbrone MA Jr, Yasukochi Y, Numano F. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor modulates monocyte-endothelial cell interaction under physiological flow conditions in vitro: involvement of Rho GTPase-dependent mechanism. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001; 21: 1165–1171.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

114. Weitz-Schmidt G, Welzenbach K, Brinkmann V, Kamata T, Kallen J, Bruns C, Cottens S, Takada Y, Hommel U. Statins selectively inhibit leukocyte function antigen-1 by binding to a novel regulatory integrin site. Nat Med. 2001; 7: 687–692.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

115. Colli S, Eligini S, Lalli M, Camera M, Paoletti R, Tremoli E. Vastatins inhibit tissue factor in cultured human macrophages: a novel mechanism of protection against atherothrombosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997; 17: 265–272.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

116. Erkkila L, Jauhiainen M, Laitinen K, Haasio K, Tiirola T, Saikku P, Leinonen M. Effect of simvastatin, an established lipid-lowering drug, on pulmonary Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005; 49: 3959–3962.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

117. del Real G, Jimenez-Baranda S, Mira E, Lacalle RA, Lucas P, Gomez-Mouton C, Alegret M, Pena JM, Rodriguez-Zapata M, Alvarez-Mon M, Martinez A, Manes S. Statins inhibit HIV-1 infection by down-regulating Rho activity. J Exp Med. 2004; 200: 541–547.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

118. Liappis AP, Kan VL, Rochester CG, Simon GL. The effect of statins on mortality in patients with bacteremia. Clin Infect Dis. 2001; 33: 1352–1357.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

119. Steiner S, Speidl WS, Pleiner J, Seidinger D, Zorn G, Kaun C, Wojta J, Huber K, Minar E, Wolzt M, Kopp CW. Simvastatin blunts endotoxin-induced tissue factor in vivo. Circulation. 2005; 111: 1841–1846.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

120. Almog Y, Shefer A, Novack V, Maimon N, Barski L, Eizinger M, Friger M, Zeller L, Danon A. Prior statin therapy is associated with a decreased rate of severe sepsis. Circulation. 2004; 110: 880–885.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

121. Hackam DG, Mamdani M, Li P, Redelmeier DA. Statins and sepsis in patients with cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort analysis. Lancet. 2006; 367: 413–418.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

122. Merx MW, Weber C. Statins: a preventive strike against sepsis in patients with cardiovascular disease? Lancet. 2006; 367: 372–373.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

123. Panacek EA, Marshall JC, Alberson TE, Johnson DH, Johnson S, MacArthur RD, Miller M, Barchuk WT, Fischkoff S, Kaul M, Teoh L, Van Meter L, Daum L, Lemeshow S, Hicklin G, Doig C. Efficacy and safety of the monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody F(ab')2 fragment afelimomab in patients with severe sepsis and elevated interleukin-6 levels. Crit Care Med. 2004; 32: 2173–2182.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

124. Zeiher BG, Steingrub J, Laterre PF, Dmitrienko A, Fukiishi Y, Abraham E; EZZI Study Group. LY315920NA/S-5920, a selective inhibitor of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2, fails to improve clinical outcome for patients with severe sepsis. Crit Care Med. 2005; 33: 1741–1748.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

125. Grandel U, Hopf M, Buerke M, Hattar K, Heep M, Fink L, Bohle RM, Morath S, Hartung T, Pullamsetti S, Schermuly RT, Seeger W, Grimminger F, Sibelius U. Mechanisms of cardiac depression caused by lipoteichoic acids from Staphylococcus aureus in isolated rat hearts. Circulation. 2005; 112: 691–698.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Obstet MedHome page
J. Joseph, A. Sinha, M. Paech, and B. N J Walters
Sepsis in pregnancy and early goal-directed therapy
Obstet Med, September 1, 2009; 2(3): 93 - 99.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJ Case ReportsHome page
I. Ahmed, W. B Nelson, T. S Biring, C. M House, J. Marini, and R. Dahiya
Acute coronary thrombosis in a patient with septic shock without any evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation
BMJ Case Reports, August 20, 2009; 2009(aug20_1): bcr0520091887 - bcr0520091887.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
P. Sicard, S. Jacquet, K. S. Kobayashi, R. A. Flavell, and M. S. Marber
Pharmacological postconditioning effect of muramyl dipeptide is mediated through RIP2 and TAK1
Cardiovasc Res, July 15, 2009; 83(2): 277 - 284.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
T. Peng, E Shen, J. Fan, Y. Zhang, J. M. O. Arnold, and Q. Feng
Disruption of phospholipase C{gamma}1 signalling attenuates cardiac tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} expression and improves myocardial function during endotoxemia
Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2008; 78(1): 90 - 97.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Merx, M.W.
Right arrow Articles by Weber, C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Merx, M.W.
Right arrow Articles by Weber, C.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
Medline Plus Health Information
*Sepsis
Related Collections
Right arrow Contractile function
Right arrow Other heart failure
Right arrow Other Treatment