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Amrinone increases ventricular contractility and diastolic compliance in endotoxemia
H A Werner1, M J Herbertson, K R Walley
1Pulmonary Research Laboratory, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Amrinone improved heart contractility and reduced stiffness in endotoxemic pigs, but lowered blood pressure. This suggests potential benefits for septic shock treatment, despite risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Septic shock causes systolic and diastolic dysfunction, reducing responsiveness to beta-adrenergic agents.
- Amrinone is an inotropic agent that functions independently of beta-receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate amrinone's effects on left-ventricular contractility and diastolic compliance in an endotoxin-induced shock model.
- To assess amrinone's efficacy in counteracting sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Left-ventricular pressure-volume relationships were measured in endotoxemic and control pigs using conductance and Millar catheters.
- Amrinone was administered intravenously to assess changes in contractility (end-systolic pressure-volume relationship slope, Ees) and diastolic stiffness (k).
Main Results:
- Amrinone significantly increased Ees (contractility) and decreased diastolic stiffness (k) in endotoxemic pigs (p < 0.05).
- No significant changes in Ees or k were observed in control pigs.
- Mean arterial pressure decreased significantly after endotoxin infusion and further after amrinone administration in the endotoxemic group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Amrinone demonstrates potential to improve systolic contractility and diastolic compliance in a sepsis model.
- Amrinone may pose a risk by further reducing mean arterial pressure in hypotensive septic patients.