Open AccessNITRIC OXIDE AND VASCULAR REACTIVITY IN SEPSIS
Author(s) -
Daniel Fernandes,
Jamil Assreuy
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
shock
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1540-0514
pISSN - 1073-2322
DOI - 10.1097/shk.0b013e3181818518
Subject(s) - sepsis , septic shock , medicine , guanylate cyclase , vascular tone , shock (circulatory) , nitric oxide , intensive care medicine , cardiology , immunology
Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Sepsis and septic shock induce a profound fall in the peripheral vascular tone. NO has been implicated as a key player in vascular changes of sepsis and septic shock. In this brief review, two points are focused in greater detail: first, the involvement of guanylate cyclase and potassium channels in NO vascular effects in sepsis; second, the role played by NO and its two effectors in the long-lasting modifications of vascular reactivity in sepsis. Some recent developments in the area are reviewed.