The lysosomal protease--myocardial depressant factor system in circulatory shock.

Abstract

Circulatory shock is characterized by severe perturbations in the homeostatic regulation of cardiovascular function leading to conditions which are incompatible with life. The nature of these perturbations is not clearly understood, nor are the origins of the positive feedback loops generated by these disturbances. Despite the obvious gaps in our knowledge, certain findings have been uncovered in recent years which, in the light of new information, point to a final common pathway in the pathogenesis of circulatory shock. These findings are: 1. a marked reduction in blood flow to the splanchnic viscera very early in circulatory shock of varying etiologies (1) 2. a marked alteration in lysosomal membranes with the attendant release of lysosomal hydrolases into the plasma during many forms of shock (2) 3. a profound impairment of myocardial performance late in circulatory shock (3,4) KeywordsPositive Feedback LoopLysosomal EnzymeLysosomal MembraneNegative Inotropic EffectToxic FactorThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.