Do Pyrogens Cause Vasodilation?

When pyrogen concentrations decrease, the setpoint temperature returns towards normal, triggering active vasodilation and sweating, which increases heat loss from the skin surface. The increasing phase of fever is often associated with shivering, which can markedly increase heart rate and cardiac output.

Does fever cause vasodilation?

Fever causes a large renal vasodilation and hepatic vasodilation, which are humorally mediated and which effectively cause a splanchnic vascular shunt of some consequence if there is already heart failure or shock. Syncope during fever, endotoxin shock and the role of pyrogens in heat stroke are discussed.

What do pyrogens do?

The pyrogens inhibit heat-sensing neurons and excite cold-sensing ones, and the altering of these temperature sensors deceives the hypothalamus into thinking the body is cooler than it actually is. In response, the hypothalamus raises the body's temperature above the normal range, thereby causing a fever.