Activated protein C improves macrovascular and microvascular reactivity in human severe sepsis and septic shock

We tested the effects of activated protein C (APC) in macrovascular and microvascular beds within 60 min of treatment. Twelve patients treated with APC for severe sepsis were included. We assessed macrovascular reactivity by phenylephrine arterial dose response. Pharmacological modeling (EC50, Emax, and Hill coefficient) and individual dose-response curve were tested. Microvascular reactivity was tested with skin laser Doppler by using postocclusive reactive hyperemia with measurements of peak, time to peak (Tmax), time to half recovery (T1/2R), and myogenic and sympathetic tones. All measurements were done 30 min before, just before, and 30 and 60 min after APC infusion. Microvascular reactivity was also tested in eight healthy volunteers. In patients, arterial pressure did not increase significantly. However, 60 min after the beginning of APC infusion, reactivity to α-1 stimulation was improved: EC50 decreased from 15.3 (0.9-56) to 3.1 (1.0-6.2) (P = 0.04), and 5 of 12 patients improved their dose-response curve. As for microcirculatory parameters, as early as 30 min after the beginning of APC infusion, postocclusive reactive hyperemia peak increased from 102 (40-168) to 162 (35-196) (P = 0.04), Tmax was shorter: 30 s (14-52 s) versus 56 s (22-83 s) (P = 0.03), and the T1/2R also decreased, from 72.4 s (41.9-134.6 s) to 49.8 s (31.0-129.8 s) (P = 0.02). Myogenic tone increased (P = 0.03), whereas sympathetic tone decreased (P = 0.03), and myogenic tone was lower than controls before but not after APC treatment. In conclusion, APC improves vascular reactivity both at macrocirculatory and microcirculatory levels very quickly, suggesting that this is not due to protein synthesis or anticoagulant effect. The myogenic properties of vessels could partly drive this effect.