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Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: a review of pathophysiologic mechanisms

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Abstract

Cardiac dysfunction is a well-recognized complication of severe sepsis and septic shock. Cardiac dysfunction in sepsis is characterized by ventricular dilatation, reduction in ejection fraction and reduced contractility. Initially, cardiac dysfunction was considered to occur only during the “hypodynamic” phase of shock. But we now know that it occurs very early in sepsis even during the “hyperdynamic” phase of septic shock. Circulating blood-borne factors were suspected to be involved in the evolution of sepsis induced cardiomyopathy, but it is not until recently that the cellular and molecular events are being targeted by researchers in a quest to understand this enigmatic process. Septic cardiomyopathy has been the subject of investigation for nearly half a century now and yet controversies exist in understanding it’s pathophysiology. Here, we discuss our understanding of the pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy and the complex roles played by nitric oxide, mitochondrial dysfunction, complements and cytokines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology, St. Louis University Hospital, 3635 Vista Ave. 13th Floor, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Anthony Flynn

  2. Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 803 College Building, 1025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Bhalaghuru Chokkalingam Mani

  3. Department of Medicine, Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Center at the Jefferson Heart Institute, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut Street, Suite 323 A, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Paul J. Mather

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  1. Anthony Flynn
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  2. Bhalaghuru Chokkalingam Mani
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  3. Paul J. Mather
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Correspondence to Paul J. Mather.

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Flynn, A., Chokkalingam Mani, B. & Mather, P.J. Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: a review of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Heart Fail Rev 15, 605–611 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9176-4

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