EFFECTS OF KETOPROFEN ON RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY CHANGES IN ENDOTOXIC-SHOCK

Objective: To study the effects of ketoprofen, a dual inhibitor of the arachidonic acid metabolism, on hemodynamic and respiratory changes d uring endotoxic shock. Design: Prospective, randomised, controlled stu dy using an established intact animal model of endotoxic shock in shee p. Setting: An animal laboratory in a university hospital. Interventio ns: 4 groups were studied (n = 7 in each). Group K received ketoprofen and group A received aspirin 30 min before start of endotoxin infusio n. Group E received endotoxin, but no drug treatment. Group C received neither endotoxin nor drug treatment. All the animals were anaestheti sed with ketamine, had controlled ventilation with FiO2 = 0.5 and rece ived Ringer's lactate at an infusion rate that would keep the pulmonar y capillary wedge pressure constant.Results: Both ketoprofen and aspir in prevented the early rise in pulmonary arterial pressure that occurr ed in group E a few minutes after start of i. v. infusion of endotoxin . Furthermore, ketoprofen prevented any significant changes in arteria l blood pressure, arterial oxygen tension, oxygen delivery index, oxyg en extraction ratio, respiratory compliance, intrapulmonary shunt frac tion, and platelet counts that occurred in group E. Aspirin, on the ot her hand, provided only partial and time limited (1-2h) protection aga inst these changes. Wet-to-dry weight ratios of the lungs were signifi cantly lower in the ketoprofen treated than in the untreated shock con trols and the aspirin treated animals. Conclusion: Ketoprofen complete ly prevented the changes in hemodynamics and respiratory function obse rved in control-endotoxin-treated animals.