Why does cardiac index increase in septic shock?

Changes in both systolic and diastolic ventricular performance occur in patients with sepsis. Through the Frank-Starling mechanism, cardiac output is often increased to maintain blood pressure in the presence of systemic vasodilatation.

What happens to cardiac index in septic shock?

Adequate volume resuscitation and the profoundly reduced systemic vascular resistance typically encountered in patients with sepsis lead to a normal or elevated cardiac index [16]. However, despite increased cardiac output and a normal stroke volume, myocardial dysfunction is significant in patients with septic shock.

How does sepsis affect the cardiovascular system?

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that follows bacterial infection. Cardiac dysfunction is an important consequence of sepsis that affects mortality and has been attributed to either elevated inflammation or suppression of both fatty acid and glucose oxidation and eventual ATP depletion.

What is a high heart rate for sepsis?

Symptoms of sepsis include: a fever above 101ºF (38ºC) or a temperature below 96.8ºF (36ºC) heart rate higher than 90 beats per minute. breathing rate higher than 20 breaths per minute.

What is the heart rate in sepsis patients?

Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis has also been analyzed with respect to its prognostic value. Parker et al, 27 reviewing septic patients on initial presentation and at 24 hours to determine prognostic indicators, found a heart rate of <106 bpm to be the only cardiac parameter on presentation that predicted a favorable outcome.

Which is an important feature of sepsis and septic shock?

One of the important features of sepsis is myocardial dysfunction. We designed this study to investigate the cardiac systolic and diastolic functions in patients presenting with SIRS and septic shock.

How is myocardial dysfunction related to septic shock?

However, despite increased cardiac output and a normal stroke volume, myocardial dysfunction is significant in patients with septic shock. Notably, ejection fraction (EF) is lower and end-diastolic volume (EDV) is higher in survivors, compared to non-survivors of shock.

What is the pathophysiology of sepsis induced myocardial dysfunction?

The pathophysiology of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction has not yet been defined, and topics range from patho-mechanisms to treatment. In reality, only support treatment is available for patients with sepsis and no specific drug can reverse the associated sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.