Cardiopulmonary changes during endotoxic shock

Right and left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiopulmonary transit time (LV-RA) were measured prior to and during endotoxic shock in 7 sheeps. RVEF was 49 +- 6%, LVEF 51 +- 6% and CPTT 13 +- 2 beat prior to the septic shock. RVEF dropped rapidly after the injection of 3 mg/kg E.Coli endotoxin to 26 +- 3%, LVEF to 42 +- 6% whereas CPTT prolonged to 26 +- 10 beat. Three minutes later RVEF recovered to 34 +- 10%, LVEF 49 +- 8% and CPTT to 21 +- 12 beat. Thirty to sixty minutes after the induction of shock RVEF was 42 +- 8%, LVEF 61 +- 6% and CPTT 10 +- 2 beat. Poor right ventricular function along with increased cardiopulmonary transit time appears to be the most important determinant of central circulation during the state of septic shock. (Author)