[Hemodynamic effects of high-dosage corticoids. Their justification in the treatment of shock]

In 61 patients in whom high doses of corticoids had been administered owing to various indications, the hemodynamic modifications caused by this injection were studied. The corticoids administered were : hydrocortisone hemisucccinate (150 mg/kg), methyl prednisolone sulfate (30 mg/kg), prednisone sodium m sulfobenzoate (50 mg/kg), prednisolone sodium m sulfobenzoate (35 mg/kg) and dexamethasone phosphate (2 mg and 6 mg/kg). The results study the modifications caused by each drug on heart rate, arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, systolic stroke volume and peripheral vascular resistance. The expression of the results is given as a percentage of the variation with statistical study. Methyl-prednisolone sulfobenzoate only leads to slightly marked hemodynamic effects : the four other compounds studied have definite hemodynamic effects, of variable intensity and duration. The most important variations are noted with dexametasone phosphate. From these results, the indications and results of the use of corticoids in states of shock are discussed.