Long-term cardiovascular complications following sepsis: is senescence the missing link?

Abstract

Highlights With improved management of patients, sepsis survivors are increasing each year. Early cardiovascular complications, of yet undeciphered mechanisms, are an emerging health issue in post-sepsis syndrome. Premature senescence of endothelium and vascular tissue is proven an accelerated process of atherogenesis in young septic rats. An increasing body of clinical evidence point at endothelial senescence in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Prevention of premature senescence by senotherapy and cardiological follow-up could improve long-term septic patients’ outcomes.

Keywords

• Septic shock
• Sepsis
• Stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS)
• Atherosclerosis