Cardiovascular effects of hydrogen sulfide: a review

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous mediator, which has an important role in pathophysiology. It is a vasodilator gas, taking part in particular in the regulation of blood pressure, in the cardiac response to ischemia/reperfusion injury, and in inflammation. In recent decades, H2S and its donors/inhibitors have therefore been studied with growing interest in intensive care units and tested in various animal models; the roles of H2S are still a matter of debate, as it can be considered either a molecule with potential beneficial effect or deleterious. This review summarizes the different properties of H2S in order to point its potential value in intensive care.