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The endothelium: physiological functions and role in microcirculatory failure during severe sepsis

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Abstract

The endothelium is a highly dynamic cell layer that is involved in a multitude of physiological functions, including the control of vascular tone, the movement of cells and nutrients, the maintenance of blood fluidity and the growth of new vessels. During severe sepsis, the endothelium becomes proadhesive, procoagulant, antifibrinolytic and is characterized by alterations of vasomotor regulation. Most of these functions have been discovered using in vitro and animal models, but in vivo exploration of endothelium in patients remains difficult. New tools to analyze endothelial dysfunction at bedside have to be developed.

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Acknowledgments

Stephanie Lehoux, PhD, is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inserm U970, PAris Research Cardiovascular Center (PARCC), Paris, France

    H. Ait-Oufella

  2. Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, 75012, France

    H. Ait-Oufella, E. Maury, B. Guidet & G. Offenstadt

  3. Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UMR S707, 75012, Paris, France

    E. Maury, B. Guidet & G. Offenstadt

  4. Inserm U707, 75012, Paris, France

    E. Maury, B. Guidet & G. Offenstadt

  5. Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    S. Lehoux

  6. Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75571, Paris Cedex 12, France

    H. Ait-Oufella

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  1. H. Ait-Oufella
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  2. E. Maury
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  4. B. Guidet
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Correspondence to H. Ait-Oufella.

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Ait-Oufella, H., Maury, E., Lehoux, S. et al. The endothelium: physiological functions and role in microcirculatory failure during severe sepsis. Intensive Care Med 36, 1286–1298 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-010-1893-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-010-1893-6

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