Microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis
David J Lundy1, Stephen Trzeciak
1Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA. lundy-david@cooperhealth.edu
Critical Care Clinics
|November 7, 2009
Abstract:
This article discusses the role of microcirculatory dysfunction in the pathophysiology of sepsis, reviewing the role of the endothelium in modulating microcirculatory flow, discussing the function of nitric oxide in mediating microcirculatory blood flow, and outlining means of evaluating microcirculatory function in septic patients. Finally, potential novel therapies and challenges in treating microcirculatory dysfunction in septic patients are discussed.
