Incidence of endotoxemia in pigs with ischemic hepatic necrosis treated by hemodialysis. Prevention of endotoxemia with lactulose.

The incidences of endotoxemia and bacteremia were evaluated in 30 pigs with ischemic hepatic necrosis treated by hemodialytic procedures. Prior to induction of hepatic ischemia, ten pigs underwent bowel cleansing by means of an oral dose of magnesium sulfate, and 20 received a combination of magnesium sulfate and lactulose. Endotoxemia and bacteremia seldom occurred during the development of hepatic encephalopathy, but the incidence of both increased markedly shortly before death. Pigs pretreated with magnesium sulfate and lactulose however did not develop preterminal endotoxemia. A significant relation between endotoxemia or bacteremia and survival was not found, irrespective of pretreatment with lactulose. Of the positive limulus tests, 67% were accompanied by a positive blood culture, while 42% of all positive blood cultures were associated with a positive limulus test. Dialysis with dialysates contaminated with endotoxins did not increase the risk of endotoxemia. It is concluded that in an animal model of ischemic hepatic necrosis (1) endotoxemia and bacteremia appear mainly in the preterminal stage, but do not influence the duration of survival significantly; (2) lactulose prevents endotoxemia and (3) dialytic procedures do not increase the risk of endotoxemia and bacteremia.