[Right heart function and endotoxemia in animals]

We used a chronic instrumented ovine model to investigate right heart function following an endotoxin bolus. Primary aim of the experiments was to elucidate the influence of the right heart on the cardiopulmonary system. Furthermore, we tried a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor as a therapeutical approach. At least we investigated the IR-ANF release, as the endocrinal function of the right heart, in this model. Following the endotoxin administration we observed a massive increase of the pulmonary arterial pressure. As a result of the increased right ventricular afterload right ventricular ejection fraction decreased and end-systolic volume increased. Impaired right heart function could not be compensated sufficiently using Frank Starling mechanism. Consequently, decreased left ventricular preload, stroke volume and cardiac output followed. Pretreatment with OKY-046, a selective thromboxane synthase inhibitor, attenuated the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and prevented the early right heart failure including the drop of cardiac output. Furthermore, OKY-046 changed the thromboxane-prostacyclin relationship. Therefore we consider the cardiopulmonary reactions following pretreatment with OKY-046 as a result of the attenuated right ventricular afterload as well as of the increased prostacyclin concentration. Endotoxin induced hypoxaemia could not be prevented by pretreatment with OKY-046 and might be caused by interstitial edema following endothelial leakage. IR-ANF release in our model, accompanied by polyuria and natriuresis, seemed to be independent of right heart dysfunction and increase of right atrial pressure. We suggest endotoxin or a endotoxin induced mediator as a trigger of IR-ANF release.