Pseudomonas sepsis does not cause more severe cardiovascular dysfunction in patients than non-Pseudomonas sepsis

To evaluate the clinical relevance of the experimental findings of a more severe cardiac depression in Pseudomonas (P.) than in non-P. sepsis, we retrospectively compared the hemodynamic data in 26 patients with P. sepsis (20 cases, single pathogen; six cases, more positive cultures with P. than with non-P. species), and 102 with non-P. sepsis. As in other studies, the left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) was used to assess cardiac performance. The two groups (all numbers are means) had a similar disease and sepsis severity profile (P. vs. non-P: septic shock, 81% vs. 87%; APACHE II scores, 29.1 vs. 29.2; Elebute sepsis scores, 18.1 vs. 18.1; mortality, 58% vs. 62%). Preload (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 15.0 vs. 16.3 mm Hg) and systemic vascular resistance (588 vs 572 dyn.cm-5.sec) were comparable. Cardiac performance displayed no significant difference (LVSWI, 42.8 vs. 38.3 g.m/m2), a result reproduced in the subgroups with culture-proven bacteremia, with or without preexisting cardiovascular disease or septic shock. Thus, our data suggest that there is no difference in the degree of cardiovascular dysfunction in patients with Pseudomonas compared to non-Pseudomonas sepsis of otherwise equivalent disease severity.