ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationships between septic shock and vascular endothelial cells (VECs)injury by measuring the plasma CEC,vWF,and NO in septic shock patients and to explore its potential clinical values. Methods 72 patients were divided into group A including 34 infection patients but without septic shock,and group B including 38 patients with septic shock. Circulating endothelial cell(CEC),von willebrand factor(vWF),and nitric oxide(NO)in plasma were measured in all patients at the time points of accessing ICU (T0)and 24 hours after staying in ICU(T1). And the blood pressures of studied patients were also recorded at the same time points. Results The levels of CEC and vWF at each observing time point were higher in group B than those in group A(P < 0.01),while the levels of NO were lower in group B than those in group A(P < 0.01). In group B,the levels of CEC and vWF at T1 were higher than those at T0(P<0.01),while the level of NO was low-er at T1 than that at T0(P<0.01). With contrary to those of group A,circulation conditions of group B were obvi-ously unstable and high doses of vasoactive agents were needed during the therapy period. MAP in group B at each time point was obviously lower than that in group A(P<0.05). There were 7 dead cases(18%)in group B but no death in group A during the whole therapy period. Conclusion Obvious injury of vascular endothelial cells exists in septic shock patients and the injury degree is related to the severity of the disease.