Two-dimensional echocardiographic demonstration of acute myocardial depression in septic shock.

A 50-yr-old woman exhibiting streptococcal neck cellulitis developed severe septic shock with low cardiac output, which was reversed by infusion of dopamine plus dobutamine. Two-dimensional echocardiography performed at the bedside demonstrated severe myocardial failure. The patient's condition remained dependent on inotropic drug support for 2 days and ultimately improved. Two-dimensional echocardiography repeated on the fourth day corroborated the disappearance of transient myocardial failure.