A model of ovine endotoxemia characterized by an increased cardiac output

High cardiac output sepsis is a major clinical problem. We have designed a sheep endotoxin model to simulate this condition and have evaluated how closely it approximates the clinical situation. The animals were prepared for chronic study by the implantation of cardiopulmonary catheters. One week later, endotoxin (0.75 μg/kg/30 min) was administered following baseline measurements, and the animals were studied for an additional 15 hr. From 6-15 hr after the administration of endotoxin, there was a statistically significant twofold increase in cardiac output. Simultaneously, the total peripheral vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure was reduced. Eicosanoid measurements made at this time indicated that the vasodilator prostanoid, prostacyclin, was not elevated. A high cardiac output (hyperdynamic) model of sepsis has thus been established by the 30 min infusion of a small quantitiy of endotoxin. Prostacyclin is not a mediator of this response.