DOES LD100 ESCHERICHIA-COLI SHOCK CAUSE MYOCARDIAL FAILURE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (1) , 7-16
Abstract
Myocardial dysfunction occurs in canine endotoxin shock. The effect of lethal live E. coli-induced shock on the myocardium was studied. Small adult heart donor dogs (wt range 6-9 kg) were infused with LD100 [100% lethal dose] E. coli (n = 12) or saline (n = 16) for 30 min. Two h later, heart transfer surgery was initiated and once completed the isolated working left ventricle was allowed to equilibrate in the extracorporeal circuit of a support dog (wt range 22-32 kg). Myocardial performance was then evaluated by changing mean aortic pressure while controlling cardiac output. Three to 5 h after E. coli infusion, marked myocardial dysfunction occurred in 75% of the hearts as evidenced by increased left ventricular end diastolic pressures and depressed peak positive and negative dP/dt [mm Hg/s] at every mean aortic pressure tested compared with control hearts. Myocardial efficiency and power were depressed, O2 uptake was elevated and coronary blood flow was unchanged in E. coli-treated compared with control hearts. Data support the presence of heart dysfunction in gram-negative septic shock.