A new approach to the treatment of experimental septic shock

Previous work has shown that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may produce multiple organ failure, including adult respiratory distress syndrome, by obstruction of visceral micro circulation by microclots DIC can be produced by sepsis. This study tests the ability of a plasminogen activator to prevent death from an intravenous injection of killed Escherichia coli by causing lysis of the microclots. Subjects were two groups of 8 pigs each with body weight of 60-70 lbs. Killed Escherichia coli were injected IV in 16 pigs. Invasive monitoring was used to record physiologic data during the 5.0-hr experimental period. Urokinase injected 20 min after the injection of Escherichia coli organisms significantly prevented mortality, acidosis, and development of blood incoagulability. We conclude that plasminogen activator can significantly prevent fatal Escherichia coli (septic) shock without causing bleeding.