Two-dimensional echocardiographic demonstration of acute myocardial depression in septic shock.
A 50-yr-old woman exhibiting streptococcal neck cellulitis developed severe septic shock with low cardiac output, which was reversed by infusion of dopamine plus dobutamine. Two-dimensional echocardiography performed at the bedside demonstrated severe myocardial failure. The patient's condition remained dependent on inotropic drug support for 2 days and ultimately improved. Two-dimensional echocardiography repeated on the fourth day corroborated the disappearance of transient myocardial failure.
D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*