Effects of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost on the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green in human septic shock.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost on the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green (PDR) in patients with septic shock. A prospective clinical study in a university hospital intensive care unit. 20 patients in septic shock. Patients received iloprost infusion (1 ng/kg per minute) for 24 h. PDR was determined by a femoral arterial fiberoptic catheter before, 1, 6, and 24 h after start and 1 h after end of iloprost infusion. PDR increased significantly 24 h after start of iloprost infusion (baseline: 13.9 +/- 1.7% vs. 18.6 +/- 2.2%/min) and decreased 1 h after end of infusion (13.7 +/- 1.7%/min; p < 0.002). There was no change in pHi, cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, or intrathoracic blood volume index. Administration of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost significantly increases PDR, indicating improvement in liver function.