Effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on hemodynamic and cytokine response in a porcine model of Pseudomonas sepsis.

To investigate the effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on sepsis, chronically catheterized conscious pigs were challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 x 10(7) colony-forming units kg-1 h-1) for 84 h (Group A, n = 8). Group B (n = 7) also received rhG-CSF at 5 micrograms kg-1 d-1, the first dose being given 30 min before starting bacterial infusion. Two of the animals in Group A died from pulmonary failure, whereas all those treated with rh-GCSF survived. Fever, severe pulmonary hypertension and systemic hypotension--the latter accompanied at first by a transient hypodynamic, and later a hyperdynamic response--were observed in all of the animals. In Group B, however, the rise in temperature, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (at a later stage of the observation), plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor, and endotoxin were significantly less than in Group A. In the rhG-CSF-treated pigs, an initial leukopenia completely recovered within 24 h (p < .05 vs. Group A). These data suggest that rhG-CSF might be beneficial in the treatment of sepsis.

A technique of chronic intravascular catheterization for monitoring haemodynamic and laboratory values in conscious swine.

In human and small animal intensive care medicine percutaneous sheath introducer (PSI) sets are commonly used for repeated insertion of an arterial or a venous catheter with only one vascular puncture. We used PSI for chronic catheterization of swine with a Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter via a surgically exposed external jugular vein. In this way we were able to change defective catheters or correct the position of the catheter tip without renewed surgical intervention.