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 24h 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.