Respiratory muscle fatigue: a cause of ventilatory failure in septic shock.

The effect of endotoxic shock on the respiratory muscle performance was studied in spontaneously breathing dogs given Escherichia coli endotoxin (Difco Laboratories, 10 mg/kg). Diaphragmatic (Edi) and parasternal intercostal (Eic) electromyograms were recorded using fishhook electrodes. The recorded signals were then rectified and electrically integrated. Pleural, abdominal, and transdiaphragmatic (Pdi) pressures were recorded by a balloon-catheter system. After a short control period, the endotoxin was administered slowly intravenously (within 5 min). Death was secondary to respiratory arrest in all animals. All animals died within 150-270 min after the onset of endotoxic shock. Within 45-80 min of the endotoxin administration, mean blood pressure and cardiac output dropped to 42.1 +/- 4.1 and 40.1 +/- 6.0% (mean +/- SE) of control values, respectively, with little change afterward. Mean inspiratory flow rate and Pdi increased from control values of 0.27 +/- 0.03 l X s-1 and 5.75 +/- 0.7 cmH2O to mean values of 0.44 +/- 0.3 l X s-1 and 8.70 +/- 1.05 cmH2O and then decreased to 0.17 +/- 0.03 l X s-1 and 3.90 +/- 0.30 cmH2O before the death of the animals. There were no major changes in the mechanics of the respiratory system. Edi and Eic increased progressively to mean values of 360 +/- 21 and 263 +/- 22% of control, respectively, before the death of the animals. None of the dogs were hypoxic. Arterial PCO2 decreased from a control value of 42.9 +/- 1.7 Torr to a mean value of 29.9 +/- 2.8 Torr and then increased to 51 +/- 4.3 Torr before the death of the animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)