Apparent heterogenity in splanchnic vascular response to norepinephrine during sepsis

Introduction

Sepsis alters vascular reactivity. We studied the impact of peritonitis and endotoxemia on hepatic and superior mesenteric arterial contractility.

Materials and methods

We studied fecal peritonitis (P, n = 7), endotoxin-infusion (E, n = 8) and control (C, n = 6) for 24 hours after abdominal surgery and eight control pigs without surgery (SPA). Systemic and regional hemodynamics and ex-vivo splanchnic vascular reactivity to norepinephrine (NE; tissue bath) were measured and cumulative dose–response curves to NE were constructed. Tension was expressed in grams.

Results

CO increased (P < 0.05) in P and E. SMA flow (median (range)) decreased in C from 24 (15–30) to 15 (11–21) ml/kg/min (P = 0.022) (Table 1).

Table 1 (abstract P36)

Conclusion

The splanchnic vascular response to NE is heterogenous in sepsis, and SMA is most affected. This may modify blood flow distribution if high NE doses are used.