Summary
In order to assess the role of the kallikrein-kinin (K-K) system in the pathogenesis
of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) we have prospectively determined
coagulation contact phase, blood gas and hemodynamic parameters in patients with ARDS
at 0, 36 and 72 h from diagnosis.
Compared to normal values, significantly lower mean levels of factor XII (71.4 ± 9.8%,
p <0.0005), prekallikrein (PPK) (52 ± 5.7%, p <0.0005), high molecular weight kininogen
(HMWK) (73 ± 2%, p <0.0005) and α2-macroglobulin (α2-M) (51 ± 7.1%, p <0.0005) were found in ARDS patients.
The functional kallikrein inhibitory activity (KKI) and Cr esterase inhibitor antigenic
(CIINH) were significantly higher in these patients (113.2 ± 5, p <0.005 and 124.7
± 7.6, p <0.0005 respectively) compared with normal values during the entire study
period.
The KKI/CIINH ratio decreased significantly in our ARDS patients at 0, 36 and 72 h
(p <0.025; p <0.05 and p <0.005 respectively).
We found a significant correlation between PPK levels and oxigenation index (r = 0.69,
p <0.001), PPK and the static thoracic compliance values (r = 0.64, p <0.001). There
was also a significant correlation between PPK levels and Qs/Qt (r = -0.89, p <0.001).
ARDS patients that survived presented a stability in the PPK values in successive
tests. Nevertheless non-survivors showed a progressive decrease in PPK levels during
the follow-up period.
Our results suggest that the plasma kallikrein system becomes activated during ARDS
and that this activation might increase the lung vessels’ permeability. In addition,
PPK levels are in our opinion a useful prognostic parameter in predicting the outcome
of ARDS patients.
Keywords
ARDS - Contact system
