PLASMA-CATECHOLAMINE LEVELS AND PULMONARY DYSFUNCTION IN SEPSIS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 148  (5) , 715-719
Abstract
In a retrospective analysis of 18 patients with sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome, high plasma epinephrine and noradrenaline [norepinephrine] levels were associated with severe defects in oxygenation that accompany this disease. High plasma catecholamine levels probably augment already existing defects in the ventilation to perfusion ratio and increases the measured intrapulmonary shunt fraction. The relationship between high circulating plasma catecholamine levels and severe adult respiratory distress syndrome may be causal or simply a measurement of 2 indexes which reflect the severity of the underlying disease process.