Effects of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost on the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green in human septic shock

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost on the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green (PDR) in patients with septic shock. Design and setting: A prospective clinical study in a university hospital intensive care unit. Patients and interventions: 20 patients in septic shock. Patients received iloprost infusion (1 ng/kg per minute) for 24 h. Measurements and results: PDR was determined by a femoral arterial fiberoptic catheter before, 1, 6, and 24 h after start and 1 h after end of iloprost infusion. PDR increased significantly 24 h after start of iloprost infusion (baseline: 13.9 +/- 1.7 % vs. 18.6 + 2.2 %/min) and decreased 1 h after end of infusion (13.7 +/- 1.7 %/min; p < 0.002). There was no change in pH(i), cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, or intrathoracic blood volume index. Conclusion. Administration of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost significantly increases PDR, indicating improvement in liver function.