Myocardial Edema: an Overlooked Mechanism of Septic Cardiomyopathy?

Abstract

Septic cardiomyopathy is an increasingly relevant topic in clinical management of septic shock. However, pathophysiological mechanisms and long-term consequences of sepsis-induced myocardial injury are still poorly understood. Herein, new clinical and histological evidence is provided suggesting an association of myocardial edema formation with tissue injury and subsequent remodeling in septic shock patients. This preliminary data supports myocardial edema as a potentially relevant and largely unexplored mechanism of human septic cardiomyopathy.