Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in animals: From experimental studies to echocardiography-based clinical research

The term sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is used to describe transient cardiac dysfunction in septic patients. However, there is no universally accepted definition of SIC; a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often used. In addition to systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction is now recognized as an essential component of SIC. It can be emphasized that previous animal experiments played an essential role in revealing SIC and hemodynamic instability in sepsis and septic shock. The diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of echocardiography for the assessment of SIC have been extensively studied since its introduction into intensive care clinical practice. Recent studies in dogs, calves, and horses have shown that left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and circulatory dysfunction can occur in sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in animals. Echocardiographic variables have also shown that indices of left and right ventricular dysfunction and circulatory failure are valuable indicators of mortality in septic animals.