Impact of high-dose vasopressor during endotoxic shock on the cerebral, lingual, hepatic, and renal microcirculation evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy in swine

Abstract

Abstract Background High-dose vasopressors maintain blood pressure during septic shock but may adversely reduce microcirculation in vital organs. We assessed the effect of high-dose norepinephrine and vasopressin on the microcirculation of the brain, tongue, liver, and kidney during endotoxic shock using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods Thirteen pigs (24.5 ± 1.8 kg) were anesthetized, and an NIRS probe was attached directly to each organ. Approximately 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 μg/kg/min of norepinephrine were administered in a stepwise manner, followed by 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 μg/kg/min of sodium nitroprusside in normal condition. Moreover, 1 μg/kg/h of lipopolysaccharide was administered continuously after 100 μg bolus to create endotoxic shock, and after 1000 mL of crystalloid infusion, high-dose norepinephrine (2, 5, 10, and 20 μg/kg/min) and vasopressin (0.6, 1.5, 3, and 6 U/min) were administered in a stepwise manner. The relationship between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and each tissue oxygenation index (TOI) during vasopressor infusion was evaluated. Results Three pigs died after receiving lipopolysaccharides, and 10 were analyzed. An increase of >20% from the baseline MAP induced by high-dose norepinephrine during endotoxic shock reduced the TOI in all organs except the liver. The elevation of MAP to baseline with vasopressin alone increased the kidney and liver TOIs and decreased the tongue TOI. Conclusions Forced blood pressure elevation with high-dose norepinephrine during endotoxic shock decreased the microcirculation of vital organs, especially the kidney. Cerebral TOI may be useful for identifying the upper limit of blood pressure, at which norepinephrine impairs microcirculation.