Prostacyclin in Septic Shock

Investigation of the hypothesis that the infusion of 10 ng/kg/min prostacyclin (epoprostenol) (PGI2) improves O2 uptake in patients with hyperdynamic septic shock. Prospective, single cohort design. ICU, university hospital. Fifteen postoperative patients with septic shock. Infusion of 10 ng/kg/min of PGI2 for 60 min. Complete hemodynamic profile with O2 transport-related variables (simultaneous measurements of Vo2 from the respiratory gases and by cardiovascular Fick) and blood lactate levels before start of the PGI2-infusion and 60 min thereafter. Oxygen delivery increased significantly (14 percent) from its already high value, 750±238 to 852±214 ml/min/m2. The O2 extraction ratio remained unchanged. When Vo2 was measured from the respiratory gases, it was unchanged. When Vo2 was measured by cardiovascular Fick, it increased slightly (p