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Effects of Ephedrine on Haemodynamics and Oxygen Consumption in the Dog During High Epidural Block with Special Reference to the Splanchnic Region
Author(s) -
Greitz T.,
Andreen M.,
Irestedt L.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1984.tb02119.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ephedrine , anesthesia , hemodynamics , splanchnic , cardiac output , bupivacaine , blood pressure , vascular resistance , epidural block , epidural administration , mean arterial pressure , heart rate
High lumbar epidural block was induced in seven dogs with 0.5% bupivacaine, causing a fall in mean arterial blood pressure (AP̄) from 19.2 ± 3.2 to 10.5 ± 3.2 kPa, owing to equal reductions in cardiac output (Qt) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). After the administration of ephedrine (a single injection of 200–300 μg × kg ‐1 b.w. followed by a continuous infusion of 10–20 μg × kg ‐1 b.w. × min ‐1 ) AP̄, Qt and SVR rose to pre‐epidural values. Furthermore, the hypokinetic circulation following the epidural block returned to normokinetic levels. Portal venous blood flow was increased from 16.5 ± 6.2 to 25.5 ± 4.3 ml × kg ‐1 b.w. × min ‐1 by ephedrine, while the hepatic arterial blood flow was unchanged and remained at its pre‐epidural level. In spite of a slight rise in hepatic oxygen consumption from 1.2 ± 0.4 to 1.6 ± 0.6 ml × kg ‐1 b.w. × min ‐1 , the percentages of oxygen extracted from the portal vein and the hepatic artery decreased significantly. It is concluded that ephedrine restores central and splanchnic haemodynamics in a desirable manner during high epidural anaesthesia.