Heamodynamic Effects of Paracetamol in Septic Shock Patients

Sepsis, inflammatory response to infection, contributes directly or indirectly to mortality in the majority of critically ill patients. An elevated cardiac index and a decreased systemic vascular resistance leading to hypotension and hypoperfusion of vital organs characterize the early stage of septic shock. The hypotensive state is often not amenable to fluid resuscitation alone and requires institution of vasoactive agents to counter the profound fall in systemic vascular resistance, which is an integral feature of septic shock .

Acetaminophen is the antipyretic and analgesic that is most often given to hospitalized patients, including those in critical care units. The mechanism of action of acetaminophen remains incompletely understood, but the antipyretic response appears to be due to blocking cyclooxygenase-II and inhibiting prostaglandin-II synthesis in the central nervous system.

Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen has gained popularity for inpatient management of acute pain for its practical and clinical advantages. IV administration is associated with more predictable pharmacokinetic performance compared with rectal (30%-40% bioavailability) and oral dosage forms of acetaminophen (60%-70% bioavailability).

Predictable kinetics as well as ease of IV administration has made it an especially attractive option in the critically ill patients who have altered gut absorption secondary to numerous pathophysiological and therapeutic influences .

IV acetaminophen has shown promise in improving patient satisfaction, managing fever, and decreasing postoperative opioid requirements. These features have made it one of the most widely ordered medications within critical care and surgical services.

Product information for IV acetaminophen lists mild effects such as nausea or vomiting among the most common adverse events (incidence ≥ 5%), with the estimated incidence of more serious adverse effects such as hypotension being <1%. However, there have been an increasing number of randomized controlled trials which indicated that the incidence of IV acetaminophen-induced hypotension may be higher than previously reported by manufacturers. These publications have prompted investigators to look more closely at the possible untoward effects of IV acetaminophen across a variety of populations. . None of these studies examined whether the extended infusion of IV paracetamol can minimize the degree of hypotension in critically heamodynamic unstable patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age adult ≥ 18 years old.
• The patient fulfills the criteria of septic shock definition:

• Sepsis needs vasopressor therapy.
• Serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/l (SSC 2016).
• Patient with contractility greater than 40%

Exclusion criteria

• paracetamol hypersensitivity or allergy.
• Acute liver injury or failure
• Childs-Pugh C liver disease
• Heat stroke.
• Malignant hyperthermia.
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.
• Continous renal replacement therapy.
• Ventricular assist device.
• Around-the-clock scheduled of acetaminophen-containing medications administration or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Pregnancy/lactation.