Myocardial protection in sepsis

doi:10.1186/cc6978

Critical Care
Volume 12
Issue 5

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Commentary

Myocardial protection in sepsis

Simon Shakar and Brian D Lowes

Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2008, 12:177doi:10.1186/cc6978


Published:	3 September 2008

See related research by Schmittinger et al., http://ccforum.com/content/12/4/R99

Abstract

Sepsis with myocardial dysfunction is seen commonly. Beta-blockers have been used successfully to treat chronic heart failure based on the premise that chronically elevated adrenergic drive is detrimental to the myocardium. However, recent reports on the acute use of beta-blockers in situations with potential hemodynamic compromise have shown the risks associated with this approach. In critical situations, the main effect of adrenergic activation is to support cardiovascular function. Caution should be exercised in designing studies to assess beta-blockers in septic patients.