In this model of endotoxemia, fluid resuscitation corrected both serosal intestinal and sublingual microcirculation but was unable to restore intestinal mucosal perfusion. Intramucosal acidosis might be due to persistent villi hypoperfusion.

Alterations in sublingual, intestinal microcirculation, and arterial lactate simultaneously arose from the first step of bleeding. The microcirculatory changes were identified either by semi-quantitative flow index or by quantitative red blood cell velocity measurements.

Purpose To assess the presence of sublingual microcirculatory and skin perfusion alterations in COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials and methods This is a preliminary report of a prospective observational study performed in four teaching intensive care units. We studied 27 mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19. Sublingual microcirculation was assessed by hand-held videomicroscopy. A software-assisted analysis of videos was performed. We also measured capillary refill time. Results Patients were hemodynamically stable with normal lactate (1.8 [1.6–2.5] mmol/L) and high D-dimer (1.30 [0.58–2.93] μg/mL). Capillary refill time was prolonged (3.5 [3.0–5.0] s). Compared to previously reported normal values, total and perfused vascular density (21.9 ± 3.9 and 21.0 ± 3.5 mm/mm 2 ) and heterogeneity flow index (0.91 ± 0.24) were high; and the proportion of perfused vessels (0.96 ± 0.03), microvascular flow index (2.79 ± 0.10), and red blood cell velocity (1124 ± 161 μm/s) were reduced. The proportion of perfused vessels was inversely correlated with total vascular density (Pearson r = −0.41, P = 0.03). Conclusions COVID-19 patients showed an altered tissue perfusion. Sublingual microcirculation was characterized by decreases in the proportion of perfused vessel and flow velocity along with high vascular densities. This last finding might be related to enhanced angiogenesis or hypoxia-induced capillary recruitment.

BackgroundThe identification of anaerobic metabolism in critically ill patients is a challenging task. Observational studies have suggested that the ratio of venoarterial PCO2 (Pv–aCO2) to arteriovenous oxygen content difference (Ca–vO2) might be a good surrogate for respiratory quotient (RQ). Yet Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 might be increased by other factors, regardless of anaerobic metabolism. At present, comparisons between Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 and RQ have not been performed. We sought to compare these variables during stepwise hemorrhage and hemodilution. Since anemia predictably produces augmented Pv–aCO2 and decreased Ca–vO2, our hypothesis was that Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 might be an inadequate surrogate for RQ.MethodsThis is a subanalysis of a previously published study. In anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep (n = 16), we compared the effects of progressive hemodilution and hemorrhage by means of expired gases analysis.ResultsThere were comparable reductions in oxygen consumption and increases in RQ in the last step of hemodilution and hemorrhage. The increase in Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 was higher in hemodilution than in hemorrhage (1.9 ± 0.2 to 10.0 ± 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.2 to 2.5 ± 0.1, P < 0.0001). The increase in Pv–aCO2 was lower in hemodilution (6 ± 0 to 10 ± 1 vs. 6 ± 0 to 17 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.0001). Venoarterial CO2 content difference and Ca–vO2 decreased in hemodilution and increased in hemorrhage (2.6 ± 0.3 to 1.2 ± 0.1 vs. 2.8 ± 0.2 to 6.9 ± 0.5, and 3.4 ± 0.3 to 1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 to 6.8 ± 0.3 mL/dL, P < 0.0001 for both). In hemodilution, Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 increased before the fall in oxygen consumption and the increase in RQ. Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 was strongly correlated with Hb (R 2 = 0.79, P < 0.00001) and moderately with RQ (R 2 = 0.41, P < 0.0001). A multiple linear regression model found Hb, RQ, base excess, and mixed venous oxygen saturation and PCO2 as Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 determinants (adjusted R 2 = 0.86, P < 0.000001).ConclusionsIn hemodilution, Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 was considerably increased, irrespective of the presence of anaerobic metabolism. Pv–aCO2/Ca–vO2 is a complex variable, which depends on several factors. As such, it was a misleading indicator of anaerobic metabolism in hemodilution.

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