Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection [1]. The syndrome is characterised by autonomic dysfunction and increased plasma levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline [2]. These catecholamines originate mainly from the activated sympathetic nervous system, but also originate from the adrenal gland, gut, and immune cells [3]. While necessary and life-saving in the early fight or flight reaction to any insult, prolonged adrenergic stress is detrimental and contributes to organ dysfunction [4]. Strategies to reduce adrenergic stress have been proposed (Table 1) under the umbrella term decatecholaminisation.

Table 1 Decatecholaminisation strategies for patients with septic shock
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Esmolol (Table 2) is a short-acting cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic blocker which has been tested in septic animals and in preliminary studies in human sepsis [5]. In the largest trial to date, Morelli et al. [6] enrolled septic shock patients with tachycardia (>95 beats/min) and an ongoing requirement for high-dose norepinephrine despite 24 h of active resuscitation. In this high-risk population (28-day mortality of 80.5 % in the control group), esmolol titrated to control heart rate was both safe and efficacious, reducing mortality to 49.4 %. The observed decrease in norepinephrine requirements could be mediated by a blunted immune response, resulting in an improved microcirculation [7], or enhanced adrenergic receptor sensitivity [8].

Table 2 Pharmacological properties of the study drugs
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Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist that has sedative, anxiolytic, and opioid-sparing effects (Table 2) [9, 10]. The use of dexmedetomidine in critically ill patients increased ventilator-free time [11] and decreased the incidence of postoperative complications, delirium, and mortality up to 1 year post-cardiac surgery [12]. In postoperative patients, dexmedetomidine provided sympatholytic activity [13]. It also offers anti-inflammatory and organ protective effects in animal models [14]. The use of dexmedetomidine as an anti-adrenergic strategy in sepsis has been evaluated in a recently completed multicentre Japanese study (‘DESIRE’, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01760967; last accessed 28 August 2016) for which results are still eagerly awaited.

In this issue of Critical Care, Hernandez et al. [15] tested both esmolol and dexmedetomidine in a sheep model of endotoxic shock with systemic hypotension, pulmonary hypertension, and hyperlactataemia. After a brief phase of fluid resuscitation and haemodynamic stabilisation with norepinephrine, animals were randomised to receive dexmedetomidine, esmolol, or placebo. Despite the early use of sympatholytic drugs, systemic and regional haemodynamics were maintained in the interventional groups compared to the control group over the 2-h study period. Although heart rate was significantly reduced by esmolol, cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, noradrenaline requirements, and SvO2 did not differ from placebo-treated animals. Dexmedetomidine reduced serum adrenaline levels by almost 40 %. Both esmolol and dexmedetomidine reduced arterial and portal vein lactate levels and improved lactate clearance. In summary, both drugs were well tolerated from a haemodynamic point of view and associated with likely beneficial effects on metabolism.

These observations are particularly interesting as dexmedetomidine and esmolol were started very early after shock induction. However, the short duration of the study precludes knowledge of longer term effects and any impact on outcomes. Furthermore, it would have been fascinating to have a fourth experimental group exploring possible synergism between esmolol and dexmedetomidine, as a rationale could be argued for the use of both. Certainly it is premature to translate these findings to clinical practice in septic patients, but this work should encourage further research into the role of alpha-2 agonists in sepsis, with or without beta-blockade.