INHIBITED RESPONSE TO ISOPROTERENOL AND ALTERED ACTION POTENTIAL OF BEATING RAT-HEART CELLS BY HUMAN-SERUM IN SEPTIC SHOCK

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (1) , 85-94
Abstract
Human serum, obtained within 24 h after the onset of septic shock, was evaluated for its effects on the chronotropic response of cultured rat myocardial cells to isoproterenol. Transmembrane action potential (AP) was measured in some experiments. Sera obtained after the 1st 4-5 h, when central venous pressure (CVP) was normal or high, inhibited increased cell beats, while this property was not evidenced for samples taken soon after septic shock when CVP was low. Sera were also found to alter AP in much the same way as Sotalol, an adrenergic .beta.-blocking drug. These 2 effects were never observed with control sera obtained from healthy male adults at rest. Sera from patients in septic shock depress the .beta.-adrenergic response of rat myocardial cells, after the early phase of septic shock characterized by sympathoadrenergic activity. The mediation of unidentified humoral factors, which might interfere in the pathogenesis of myocardial dysfunction during the intermediate phase phase of septic shock, is strongly suggested.

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