[Tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, endotoxin and procalcitonin in septic shock in patients with hematologic...

To study changes in proinflammatory markers and mediators in septic shock in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM).

The examination of 33 patients with HM and septic shock included measurement of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukine-6 (IL-6), endotoxin, procalcitonin (PCT) 12-24 hours before and each 12 hours after shock; registration of central hemodynamics parameters, the condition severity by APACHE II.

Out of 33 patients 18 died of refractory shock, 15 survived the shock. Within the first shock hour TNF fell from 571.2 +/- 195 to 115.8 +/- 71.1 pg/ml (p < 0.02), later being stable. In those who died and survived TNF was the same. IL-6 fall was seen 36 hours after shock and was observed in the survivors; in those who died IL-6 was unchanged. Endotoxin in the blood was detected in 21 of 33 patients. In the survivors endotoxinemia declined after 2 days of treatment. 72 hours after beginning of the shock the survivors had no endotoxin. In shock APACH II severity of the patient's condition was graver in patients with endotoxinemia than without it (31.6 +/- 1.6 and 28.1 +/- 1.6 scores, p < 0.05). Blood endotoxin levels and APACHE II scores correlated (r = 0.24, p < 0.05) positively and negatively with deficiency of buffer bases (r = -0.29, p < 0.05) and blood pH) r = -0.3, p < 0.05), left ventricular contractility index (r = -0.46, p < 0.01) and right ventricle (r = -0.52, p < 0.01), mean AP (r = -0.22, p < 0.03). PCT concentration was lower before shock than on its hour 1 (4.2 +/- 2.9 and 6.9 +/- 1.1 ng/ml, p < 0.05). No significant changes in PCT were found later.

PCT is a specific marker of a severe infection. Rapid elimination from the blood of TNF and IL-6 makes them inadequate in sepsis diagnosis. Endotoxinemia aggravates the patients condition. Positive LAL-test results were obtained in gram-negative and fungal infections.