Evaluation of Plasma, Metaraminol, and Hydrocortisone in Experimental Endotoxin Shock

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Abstract
An experimental model of canine endotoxin shock was employed for evaluating therapeutic agents that are used in the management of peripheral vascular collapse. An important feature of the present study was that an agent or agents were not administered until hypotension and oligulria were present. Progressive endotoxin shock was not reversed by the infusion of large amounts of canine plasma. Large doses of hydrocortisone did not prevent a lethal outcome. Even though the blood pressure was stabilized near normotensive levels with the vasopressor drug, metaraminol, progressive shock occurred. The most significant finding was that lethal endotoxin shock was prevented in six of the 10 animals studied by the simultaneous use of hydrocortisone and metaraminol. Only one-eighth the amount of metaraminol was necessary to maintain normotensive levels of blood pressure if a large dose of hydrocortisone was administered before the infusion of the pressor drug.