Objective: To test whether systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure increase during the administration of the atrial natriuretic peptide antagonist, HS 142-1, in ovine experimental hyperdynamic sepsis.
Design: Prospective trial.
Setting: Research laboratory at a large university medical center.
Subjects: Chronically instrumented Merino breed ewes (n = 14).
Interventions: Continuous infusion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.5 x 10(6) colony-forming units/min) for the experimental period of 48 hrs. One group (HS 142-1) received a continuous infusion of HS 142-1 (3 mg/kg/hr) from 40 to 48 hrs; the remaining sheep ("control") were given the vehicle sodium chloride 0.9%.
Measurements and main results: All sheep developed a hyperdynamic cardiovascular response by 40 hrs that was characterized by low values of systemic vascular resistance index (p < .05) and mean arterial pressure (p < .05), and an increased cardiac index (p < .05). HS 142-1 increased cardiac filling pressures (p < .05) without apparent effects on fluid balance, and was associated with a significantly (p < .05) higher mean arterial pressure than was found in the control group at 44 and 48 hrs. HS 142-1 did not change systemic vascular resistance index. At 44 and 48 hrs, cardiac index values were found to have significantly (p < .05) increased in the animals receiving HS 142-1, when these data were compared with cardiac output values at 40 hrs.
Conclusion: HS 142-1 increases cardiac filling pressures and maintains mean arterial pressure in hyperdynamic sepsis without reversal of sepsis-induced vasodilation.