Hydrocortisone may act through the angiotensin II receptor-2 level in patients with catecholamine-resistant septic shock.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the serum angiotensin II and its receptor levels (AT1, AT2) in septic patients with catecholamine-responsive or resistant. The effect of hydrocortisone treatment on angiotensin II levels in the catecholamine-resistant septic patients was evaluated. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 40 patients diagnosed with septic shock based on sepsis-3 criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to the noradrenalin infusion rate required to keep the mean arterial pressure above 65 mmHg: control group and hydrocortisone group (control group: below 0.5 µg/kg/min, hydrocortisone group: above 0.5 µg/kg/min). Serum angiotensin II, AT1, AT2 levels were measured at the time of diagnosis (A), one hour after hydrocortisone treatment (B), and three days later (C). RESULTS: In the catecholamine-resistant group, angiotensin II and AT1 levels were higher than the catecholamine-responder group in all periods. The sensitivity and specificity of AT-1 was observed to be high in all periods. AT2 levels decreased after hydrocortisone treatment in the catecholamine-resistant group and cut-off value was found 11%. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that angiotensin II and AT1 can be used as a biomarker of refractory septic shock and hydrocortisone may provide their blood pressure correcting effect by reducing AT2 level in these patients. AT2 can be a therapeutic target in the catecholamine-resistant septic shock patients.

Angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptor 2 levels can predict shock and mortality in septic patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the place of angiotensin II and its receptors in the prognosis of septic patients. METHODS: Patients with sepsis and septic shock were included in the study group. The control group consisted of patients who were followed up in the ICU and had no sepsis/septic shock. Plasma angiotensin II, angiotensin receptor-1 and 2 (AT-1, AT-2) levels were evaluated first and third days. RESULTS: Angiotensin II levels were significantly lower in the septic shock and non-survivor. AT-1 levels were lower in all septic patients on the first day compared to the control. While AT-1 levels on the third day decreased in the septic shock group, it increased in the sepsis group. AT-2 levels were significantly higher in sepsis, and lower in septic shock compared to controls on the first day. Angiotensin II (95%, 82%) and AT-2 levels (100%, 87%) were observed to have high sensitivity and specificity in demonstrating the presence of shock in septic patients. Angiotensin II and AT-1/AT-2 ratios were observed to have high sensitivity and low specificity in the development of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In septic patients, angiotensin II, AT-2 and AT-1/AT-2 levels can predict the probability of shock development and mortality.