What Causes Vasodilation in Sepsis?

During sepsis, unregulated NO production in the systemic circulation leads to vasodilatation. In the presence of hypoxia, NO production decreases in the pulmonary circulation and local vasoconstriction occurs. It is also thought that local release of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin occurs due to hypoxia.

Why do blood vessels dilate in sepsis?

In a typical infection, the cytokines will dilate the blood vessels at the site of the infection to allow more blood to pass through the area, carrying the cells and mediators needed to fight the bacteria.

Does sepsis have vasodilation?

The central characteristic of septic shock is systemic vasodilation, the cause of which is multifactorial in view of the fact that abnormalities in vasoconstrictor and vasodilator mechanisms have been reported.