Circulating endothelial cells (CECS) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCS) in septic and non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Methods Blood samples from patients affected with septic syndrome (sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock) and SIRS were prospectively collected within the first 24 hours and after 96 hours of symptoms onset. Patients with malignancies were excluded. A healthy control group was included (n= 15). CECs (defined as CD45-, CD146+ and CD31+) and CEPCs (defined as CD45-, CD34+ and KDR+) count were determined by flow cytometry and were calculated to obtain their absolute number per 1 mL of whole blood.