[Physiopathological significance of prostaglandins in septic shock. Clinical and experimental indications].

3 collectives of a total of 22 surgical patients demonstrate massive release of vasoactive prostanoids accompanying clinical septic shock. PGF2 alpha serves as an example for impaired pulmonary prostaglandin metabolism under this condition. Moreover, divergent profiles consisting of PGF2 alpha, thromboxane and prostacyclin can be attributed to divergent shock parameters revealing that the thromboxane/prostacyclin-ratio might be of crucial significance on whether the prostanoid profile exerts toxic or rather beneficial effects. This is demonstrated clinically by means of renal function. The clinical hypotheses are subsequently evaluated in a porcine endotoxic shock model: Comparable stimulation of endogenous prostanoids is detected. The beneficial effects of prostacyclin are concluded from objective hemodynamic and functional data of lung and kidney.