Alterations of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System in sEptic Shock

Septic shock is a common and life-threatening condition associated with an in-hospital mortality rate exceeding 40%. The symptomatic management of septic shock relies primarily on vasopressor therapy, particularly norepinephrine. However, the use of high doses of norepinephrine may lead to adverse effects, prompting the search for alternative therapeutic strategies, including angiotensin II, which has recently been investigated as an adjunctive vasopressor.

Indeed, alterations of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), particularly a relative deficiency of angiotensin II, have been hypothesized to occur during septic shock. However, to date, no human study has used gold-standard techniques for measuring RAAS peptides to confirm this hypothesis.

Furthermore, it remains unclear whether these alterations are specific to septic shock or may also be observed in less severe infections (sepsis) or in other forms of circulatory failure, such as cardiogenic shock.