Endothelial dysfunction assessed by brachial artery ultrasound in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Purpose: Noninvasive evaluation of endothelial function may be accomplished by ultrasound assessment of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. This study aims to investigate the role of FMD analysis on intrahospital prognosis of patients with sepsis.

Methods: Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe sepsis or septic shock were consecutively included.

Ventricular dysfunction and dilation in severe sepsis and septic shock: relation to endothelial function and mortality.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiography-based indices of myocardial function and markers of vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the early phases of severe sepsis.

Material And Methods: Forty-five adult patients (67% women; age 51 ± 18 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II score, 23 ± 7) admitted to the intensive care unit up to 24 hours after fulfilling criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock were studied. Clinical, laboratorial (endothelin 1 [ET1], vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1), and echocardiographic data were collected within the first 24 hours and again 72 hours and 7 days after admission.