Effect of the Shenfu Injection Combined with Early Goal-Directed Therapy on Organ Functions and Outcomes of Septic Shock Patients

Shenfu injection (SFI) derived from traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used in cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SFI and conventional early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) on organ functions and outcomes of septic shock patients. For this purpose, a total of 45 septic shock patients were randomly divided into control group A (24 patients on EGDT) and experimental group B (21 patients on SFI + EGDT). SFI was administered (100@20 mL/h) twice daily. Hemodynamic status, lactic acid, and vasoactive drug use were observed before and after treatment. Other indicators included ventilator weaning time, ICU stay time, free of organ failure time, and 28-day hospital mortality. Regarding experimental group, compared with controls, BUN/creatinine decreased significantly at 3, 5, and 7 days while PaO2/FiO2 increased at 1 and 3 days (P < 0.05). APACHE-II and SOFA scores decreased in both groups at 3, 5, and 7 days (P < 0.05), whereas SOFA scores improved more in experimental group as compared with controls. Ventilator weaning time and ICU stay were significantly shorter in experimental group as compared with controls. In both groups, mean arterial pressure/systemic vascular resistance index post-treatment levels increased and lactic acid decreased at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05). Heart rate decreased at 24, 48, and 72 h (P < 0.05); while gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase levels increased at 1 day and 1 and 3 days, respectively (P < 0.05). Combined use of SFI and EGDT can improve hemodynamics, reduce the damage to vital organs, and shorten ventilation and ICU stay times in septic shock patients.