The effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock on the intestinal microcirculatory perfusion: an experimental study in pigs

BACKGROUND: Impairment of microcirculatory tissue perfusion is a central element of sepsis. Unfortunately, monitoring microcirculatory tissue perfusion to detect microcirculatory dysfunction at the bedside remains challenging. Therefore, the effects of sepsis and systemic infection on the intestinal microcirculatory tissue perfusion remain poorly understood. METHODS: (n). RESULTS: (32) = 0.21 (95% CI - 0.133, 0.515; P = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: In line with previous experimental studies, lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock impaired intestinal microcirculatory tissue perfusion and increased intestinal flow heterogeneity, both of which recovered after resuscitation with fluids and norepinephrine in this porcine model. Macrohemodynamic variables remained impaired after resuscitation and, therefore, correlated only weakly with the intestinal microvascular flow index. Thus, macrohemodynamic variables should not be used as a surrogate for microcirculatory tissue perfusion during endotoxic shock.