[Changes and clinical significance of serum Apelin in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock].

Objective: To explore the changes and clinical significance of serum Apelin in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Method: We measured the serum level of Apelin with ELISA on different observation days (the 1st, 3rd, and 10th day obtaining the diagnosis) in 26 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Results: Serum Apelin significantly increased in sepsis patients when compared with the normal control group (P<0.01); The serum Apelin levels significantly changed among different observation days (P< 0.01). Serum Apelin level was significantly higher in patients with septic shock than those with severe sepsis (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Serum Apelin level changes in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, which may provide clues in diagnosis and prognosis.