Dose of Norepinephrine and the Concentration of L-Lactate in the Rectum and Stomach in Patients With Septic Shock.

Norepinephrine is a drug used to increase blood pressure in patients with life-threatening infection. However, norepinephrine may limit the bloodflow to the gut, thereby causing relative lack of oxygen to the cells. This leads to increased formation of lactic acid.

This study examines whether increasing the dose of norepinephrine leads to higher concentrations of lactic acid in the rectum and stomach in patients with life-threatening infection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Septic shock
• NE-dose > 0.1 microg/kg/min
• CI > 3.0 l/min/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18, unable to obtain informed consent from relatives
• Untreated hypertension
• Pregnancy
• Pathology in the rectum or stomach
• Limitation of therapy