[The neurohormonal changes in acute pulmonary embolism (clinico-experimental research)]

The state of sympathetic-adrenal and adrenocortical systems was studied in experimental massive pulmonary embolism (PE) and also in patients with massive PE or with embolism of pulmonary artery branches. In experimental massive PE the marked stimulation of adrenal medulla cells was due to specific pathophysiological changes. On the contrary, the moderate activation of adrenal cortex cells was due to nonspecific stress factors such as immobilization of the dogs or catheterization of the heart and vessels. The experimental massive PE was characterized by parallel activation of both parts of the sympathetic-adrenal system. A significant rise of cortisol blood concentration was revealed in the patients with massive PE, but not in those with embolism of the pulmonary artery branches or during the first 6 hours of experimental massive PE. Thus, this investigation shows the activation of the sympathetic-adrenal and adrenocortical system during PE and also the dependence of these neurohormonal changes on the volume and duration of embolic occlusion.