Naloxone and methylprednisolone sodium succinate enhance sympathomedullary discharge in patients with septic shock

Abstract

Naloxone and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) may act in synergy to improve hemodynamics in patients with septic shock by enhancement of sympathomedullary discharge. This randomized double-blind study describes the effect of various dosing regimens of naloxone and MPSS upon hemodynamics and plasma catecholamines in patients with septic shock (n = 57). Consecutive bolus doses of naloxone were given 30 minutes apart (10 micrograms/kg;-100 micrograms/kg) and a single dose of MPSS (30 mg/kg); bolus doses of 5% dextrose in water solution plus single dose of MPSS as above; bolus dose of naloxone (30 micrograms/kg) followed by continuous infusion (30 micrograms/kg/hr for 1 hour) with single dose of MPSS as above; a bolus and continuous infusion of naloxone as above without MPSS; MPSS alone and standard therapy alone. In patients treated with bolus doses of naloxone in combination with MPSS, plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were increased approximately five-to tenfold. In patients treated with bolus plus continuous infusion of naloxone given with or without MPSS, only plasma epinephrine levels were increased. Systolic blood pressure and left ventricular stroke work index were improved within 15 minutes in groups which received naloxone and corticosteroids regardless of dose. In those groups, there were no changes in heart rate or filling pressure. Systemic vascular resistance improved significantly only in the group which received low dose bolus and continuous infusion of naloxone and MPSS. Naloxone and MPSS quickly improved cardiac function in patients with septic shock by enhanced sympathomedullary discharge and may be useful as an adjunct in the therapy of this disorder.