Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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The assessment of baroreflex function since the first appearance of endotoxemia is important because the arterial baroreflex should exert a protective role during sepsis. Nevertheless, contrasting results were previously reported. This could be due to the hemodynamic instability characterizing this condition that may per se interfere with reflex cardiovascular adjustments. ⋯ We found that blood pressure levels did not change with the infusion of LPS, whereas inflammatory cytokines increased significantly. The baroreflex sensitivity was significantly reduced 10 min after the beginning of LPS infusion, reached values about half those at baseline within 15 min after the start of infusion, and remained significantly low after the end of infusion. In conclusion, we documented that septic shock inducing LPS infusion is responsible for a very rapid impairment of the baroreflex function, independent from the level of blood pressure.