Abdominal organ perfusion and inflammation in experimental sepsis : a magnetic resonance imaging study

• Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) uses water as contrast and enables the study of perfusion in many organs simultaneously in situ. We used DW-MRI in a sepsis model, comparing abdominal organs perfusion with global hemodynamic measurements and inflammation. Sixteen anesthetized piglets were randomized into 3 groups: HighMAP (mean arterial pressure, MAP > 65 mmHg), LowMAP (MAP between 50 and 60 mmHg) and Healthy Controls (HC). Sepsis was obtained with endotoxin and the desired MAP maintained with noradrenaline. After 6 hours DW-MRI was performed. Acute inflammation was assessed with IL-6 and TNFα in abdominal organs, ascites, and blood and by histology of intestine (duodenum). Perfusion of abdominal organs was reduced in the LowMAP group compared to the HighMAP group and HC. Liver perfusion was still reduced by 25% in the HighMAP group compared with HC. Intestinal perfusion did not differ significantly between the study groups. Cytokines concentration were generally higher in the LowMAP group but did not correlate with global hemodynamics. However, cytokines correlated with regional perfusion and, for liver and intestine, also with intra-abdominal pressure. Histopathology of intestine worsened with decreasing perfusion. In conclusion, although a low MAP (≤60 mmHg) indicated impeded abdominal perfusion in experimental sepsis, it did not predict inflammation, nor did other global measures of circulation. Decreased abdominal perfusion predicted partially inflammation but intestine, occupying most of the abdomen, and liver, were also affected by intra-abdominal pressure.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Anestesi och intensivvård (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Abdominal organs

inflammation

magnetic resonance

perfusion

sepsis

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)