Fig. 1

Study design. After the stabilization period, animals received an intravenous infusion at T 0 min of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.3 mL⋅20 kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹. At the onset of shock, resuscitation was started until stabilization (T stab), around 90 min after T 0 min. Animals were then randomized to receive esmolol in the E group; esmolol was started (or isotonic saline (IS) in the C group) at 7.5 μg⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹ and increased until HR target (<90 min⁻¹) was reached. The experiment was ended after 300 min. A-V Blood Gas, arterio-venous blood gas; CI, cardiac index; CVP, central venous pressure; HR, heart rate; MAP, systemic mean arterial blood pressure; MPAP, mean pulmonary arterial blood pressure; SpO₂, pulsed oxygen saturation