Positive end-expiratory pressure increases intraocular pressure in cats

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of various levels of positive end-expiratory pressure on intraocular pressure in cats. Fourteen healthy adult cats (2.6 to 3.7 kg) without evidence of ocular disease were anesthetized with pentobarbital, paralyzed, and placed on mechanical ventilation. Direct continuous measurements of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), CVP, CSF pressure, and intraocular pressure were recorded at zero end-expiratory pressure, and at 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure, applied in random order.

MAIN RESULTS

There were no significant changes in pHa, Paco2, HR, MAP, hematocrit, and temperature. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from 17 (during zero end-expiratory pressure) to 20 mm Hg at 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure; at 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure, intraocular pressure increased significantly to 21 mm Hg. CVP and CSF pressure increased significantly in parallel with intraocular pressure at 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

We speculate that similar responses occur in man, and may be undesirable in patients with already increased intraocular pressure, when higher levels of positive end-expiratory pressure are used.

Intracoronary isoflurane causes marked vasodilation in canine hearts

Previous studies of coronary vasomotor effects of isoflurane were complicated by changes in systemic hemodynamic conditions and in global cardiac work demands. Accordingly, in the current study, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of 11 open-chest dogs anesthetized with fentanyl and pentobarbital was cannulated and perfused with isoflurane-free arterial blood or with arterial blood equilibrated in an extracorporeal oxygenator with isoflurane (0.5, 1.0, 2.0% in 95.5% oxygen-4.5% carbon dioxide). Steady-state changes in coronary blood flow (CBF) in LAD were measured electromagnetically, and their transmural distribution (endocardium: epicardium ratio) was evaluated with 15-microns radioactive microspheres. Venous blood was obtained from the anterior interventricular vein and analyzed for oxygen tension (PO2) and oxygen content. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was calculated using the Fick equation. Cardiac responses during isoflurane were compared to those during maximal vasodilation with intracoronary adenosine. Perfusion pressure was maintained at 100 mmHg. CBF increased 271, 279, and 503% with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% isoflurane, respectively, with no change in the endocardium:epicardium ratio. With 2.0% isoflurane, the increase in CBF was 80% of the maximal, adenosine-induced response. The increases in CBF caused by isoflurane were accompanied by greater than proportional increases in venous PO2 and decreases in the arteriovenous oxygen difference, reflecting the reduction (approximately 40% in MVO2. In conclusion, isoflurane has a direct, concentration-dependent relaxing effect on coronary vascular smooth muscle in the canine heart in situ. The ability of isoflurane to increase CBF nearly maximally while also significantly reducing local myocardial oxygen requirements attests to the potency of isoflurane's direct vasodilator action.

Hemodynamic responses to pancuronium and vecuronium during high-dose fentanyl anesthesia for coronary artery bypass grafting

The hemodynamic and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of pancuronium and vecuronium were compared during high-dose fentanyl anesthesia for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Forty-eight morphine-scopolamine premedicated patients scheduled for elective CABG were anesthetized with fentanyl (100 micrograms/kg) in divided doses, and either of two muscle relaxants, pancuronium (n = 26; 0.10 mg/kg) or vecuronium (n = 22; 0.09 mg/kg). Hemodynamic data, blood gas samples, and ECG tracings were obtained at the following intervals: (1) control; (2) prior to intubation; (3) 1 minute after intubation; (4) prior to sternotomy; and (5) 1 minute after sternotomy. In the pancuronium group, heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), and rate-pressure product (RPP) were increased after induction of anesthesia and following intubation. Eleven patients (42.3%) displayed ischemic ST segment changes. Four patients in this group developed tachycardia and hypertension to an extent requiring pharmacological intervention. Vecuronium-treated patients displayed no increases in HR, MAP, and RPP, and a decrease in CI. Only one patient (5.6%) developed evidence of ischemic ECG changes. Four patients in the vecuronium group, all receiving preoperative beta-blocker therapy, became hypotensive and bradycardic after the induction of anesthesia. The present investigation confirms the increased incidence of myocardial ischemia during high-dose fentanyl-pancuronium anesthesia. Although vecuronium was associated with fewer myocardial ischemic changes, the occurrence of bradycardia and hypotension in some patients receiving preoperative beta-adrenergic blocking drugs remains a concern.

Myocardial and systemic hemodynamics during isovolemic hemodilution alone and combined with nitroprusside-induced controlled hypotension

Myocardial and systemic effects of isovolemic hemodilution alone and combined with controlled hypotension induced with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were studied in halothane-anesthetized, open-chest dogs. Regional blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres and used to compute regional oxygen (O2) supply. Values for regional blood flow in myocardium were used to compute myocardial O2 (MVO2) and lactate uptake (MVLAC) using the Fick equation. Hemodilution to hematocrit 50% of baseline increased aortic blood flow and decreased systemic vascular resistance, although other systemic hemodynamic values were not changed. Twofold increases in myocardial blood flow were accompanied by no change in MVO2, MVLAC, or coronary sinus PO2. Hemodilution increased regional blood flow sufficiently in the pancreas, liver, duodenum, skeletal muscle, skin, and brain to preserve O2 supply whereas unchanged blood flow in the spleen and kidney reduced O2 supply. Under hemodilution, 15 min of intravenous SNP sufficient to reduce mean arterial pressure by 50% caused parallel reductions in aortic blood flow, dP/dt max, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure; systemic vascular resistance was unaffected. Myocardial blood flow and MVO2 decreased proportionally, whereas MVLAC and coronary sinus PO2 did not change. Regional blood flow and O2 supply decreased in the kidney, spleen, liver, and skin. Extending SNP infusion to 60 min increased myocardial blood flow and MVO2, but other hemodynamic values were unchanged. Comparing previous results with adenosine-induced hypotension inferred that coronary vasodilator reserve was greatly reduced at this time. In conclusion, although myocardial O2 supply versus demand balance was well maintained during SNP-induced hypotension under hemodiluted conditions, diminished coronary vasodilator reserve suggests increased vulnerability to ischemia if stresses of augmented cardiac work demand or impaired arterial oxygenation were superimposed. The decrease in O2 supply in the kidney during combined hemodilution and SNP-induced hypotension also warrants concern. These latter findings suggest the need for extensive clinical monitoring when SNP is used for controlled hypotension under hemodiluted conditions.

Contrast media adversely affect oxyhemoglobin dissociation

Effects of ionic (Hypaque-76) and nonionic (Isovue-370 and Omnipaque-350) contrast media on oxyhemoglobin dissociation of normal human red blood cells were evaluated. In series 1, 4-mL venous blood samples were obtained from 15 normal human volunteers. One blood sample served as control, and 1 mL of either of the three contrast media was added in vitro to the other 4-mL blood samples. P50 values were estimated from the linear portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve obtained by tonometry. Determinations of P50 were performed at either pH 7.4 or 7.2. At pH 7.4, P50 in the absence of contrast media was 26.3 +/- 0.4 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). The contrast media caused comparable decreases in P50 from this value (Hypaque-76, 20.0 +/- 0.5 mm Hg; Omnipaque-350, 21.6 +/- 0.4 mm Hg; Isovue-370, 20.7 +/- 0.4 mm Hg). Reducing pH to 7.2 in the absence of contrast media increased P50 to 33.3 +/- 1.0 mm Hg, evidence of the Bohr effect. The presence of contrast media either completely abolished (Hypaque-76 and Omnipaque-350) or markedly attenuated (Isovue-370) this effect. In series 2 (five patients), blood samples were withdrawn from the external iliac artery during injection of Isovue-370 (60-78 mL) into the proximal abdominal aorta to evaluate peripheral vascular disease. Measurement of P50 of these samples yielded findings consistent with those of series 1. The present findings demonstrate that both ionic and nonionic contrast media increase the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen and, therefore, that they may inhibit oxygen delivery to body tissues.

Myocardial and systemic responses to arterial hypoxemia during cardiac tamponade

Experiments were performed on 14 anesthetized, open-chest dogs to assess myocardial and systemic responses to cardiac tamponade alone (TAMP) and combined with arterial hypoxemia (HYP). Regional blood flow (RBF) was measured with radioactive microspheres and used to compute regional O2 supply. Myocardial oxygen and lactate extraction were determined. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was calculated with Fick equation. An increase in pericardial pressure, sufficient to reduce mean aortic pressure (MAP) by 20%, caused proportional decreases in myocardial RBF and MVO2 but had no effect on endo-to-epi flow ratio or on myocardial lactate extraction. TAMP alone decreased RBF and O2 supply in kidney, splanchnic organs, skeletal muscle, and skin, but it had no effect in brain. HYP (arterial PO2, 35 +/- 2 mmHg) during TAMP restored MAP and caused transmurally uniform increases in myocardial RBF that were adequate to maintain MVO2 and lactate extraction. RBF increased sufficiently in brain to maintain regional O2 supply, whereas unchanged or inadequate increases in RBF in other tissues accentuated reductions in O2 supply. During combined TAMP and HYP, local vasodilator mechanisms were capable of maintaining adequate oxygen supply in myocardium and brain but not apparently in the nonvital tissues where these mechanisms were antagonized by reflex vasoconstriction.

Influence of nifedipine on systemic and regional hemodynamics during adenosine-induced hypotension in dogs

Previous pharmacologic studies indicating competitive interactions between adenosine and nifedipine at the adenosine vascular receptor suggest that adenosine may be a less effective hypotensive drug after pretreatment with nifedipine. This hypothesis was tested in 18 pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs by evaluating the hypotensive effects and regional hemodynamic responses to 60-minute intravenous adenosine infusions before and after bolus injection of nifedipine (20 micrograms/kg, IV). Regional blood flow was measured with 15-microns radioactive microspheres. Before nifedipine, infusion of adenosine at a rate of 126 +/- 30 mumol/min caused a 50% reduction in mean aortic pressure that in the presence of no change in aortic blood flow was attributable to a proportional decrease in systemic vascular resistance. These systemic effects were associated with heterogeneous changes in regional blood flow; blood flow decreased in the renal cortex (-68%), pancreas (-50%), spleen (-77%), and skin (-61%); increased in the left (+112%) and right (+265%) ventricular myocardium; and did not change significantly in the duodenum, liver, skeletal muscle, or brain. Nifedipine did not alter the dose requirement or time course of the adenosine-induced hypotensive response or affect the associated systemic hemodynamic changes. Furthermore, nifedipine caused only minor alterations in the regional blood flow changes during adenosine-induced hypotension. Apparently the high plasma levels of adenosine required for controlled hypotension in the present study were sufficient to overcome the blocking influence of nifedipine at the adenosine vascular receptor. The study demonstrates that the hypotensive action of adenosine remains unimpaired after pretreatment with nifedipine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regional hemodynamics and oxygen supply during isovolemic hemodilution in the absence and presence of high-grade β-adrenergic blockade

Studies were performed in 16 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs to evaluate regional circulatory effects of isovolemic hemodilution in the absence (group 1) and presence (group 2) of high-grade beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. Regional blood flow measured with 15 microm radioactive microspheres was used to calculate regional oxygen supply. In group 1, hemodilution with 5% dextran (40,000 molecular weight) reduced arterial hematocrit and oxygen content by approximately one half and had heterogeneous effects on regional blood flows. Blood flow was unchanged in the renal cortex, liver, and spleen, and it increased in the pancreas, duodenum, brain, and myocardium; however, only in the brain and myocardium were increases in blood flow sufficient to maintain oxygen supply at baseline (pre-hemodilution) levels. In group 2, intravenous administration of propranolol (1 mg/kg) itself decreased blood flow in the spleen and myocardium and had no other regional effects. Hemodilution after propranolol caused regional circulatory changes that were essentially similar to those in the absence of propranolol. It is concluded that (1) during isovolemic hemodilution, oxygen supply to the brain and myocardium is maintained at the expense of oxygen supply to less critical organs, and (2) this pattern of regional circulatory response during hemodilution remains intact in the presence of high-grade beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol.

Myocardial oxygen consumption and segmental shortening during selective coronary hemodilution in dogs

Experiments were conducted in 33 open chest, anesthetized dogs to evaluate direct effects of hemodilution on myocardial oxygenation and contractile function. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was perfused selectively from a controlled pressure reservoir with either normal arterial blood or arterial blood diluted with lactated Ringer's solution. Systemic hemodynamic parameters were held stable. In the LAD bed, values were obtained for coronary blood flow (CBF) with an electromagnetic flowmeter, myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) using the Fick principle, and percentage segmental shortening (%SS), an index of local myocardial contractility, by sonomicrometry. Studies were conducted with LAD perfusion pressure (PP) set at control (100 mm Hg) and at 50% of that level to simulate coronary insufficiency (CI). CI abolished coronary reactive hyperemia after release of a 90-second occlusion, indicating exhausted vasodilator reserve capacity. With PP at control, reductions in LAD hematocrit to as low as 10% had no effect on MVO2 or %SS, because increases in blood flow were sufficient to offset induced falls in arteriovenous oxygen content difference. However, during CI, a more modest reduction in hematocrit to 17% caused reductions in both MVO2 and %SS, because of inadequate flow responses during hemodilution. The following conclusions can be made: 1) Extreme hemodilution is well tolerated by the normal heart with a stable work requirement and; 2) Relatively modest hemodilution may compromise myocardial oxygenation and contractile function when in the presence of exhausted or severely depleted vasodilator reserve capacity.

Myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption during isovolemic hemodilution alone and in combination with adenosine-induced controlled hypotension

Recent reports have proposed combining isovolemic hemodilution and controlled hypotension to limit blood loss during surgery. Before such a technique can be considered for clinical use, it must be demonstrated that it does not endanger maintenance of adequate myocardial oxygenation. Accordingly, measurements of left ventricular myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption were obtained during isovolemic hemodilution alone and in combination with adenosine-induced controlled hypotension in ten pentobarbital-anesthetized, open chest dogs with normal coronary circulation. Hemodilution to a hematocrit of 21.7% was produced by isovolemic exchange of whole blood for 5% dextran. In the presence of hemodilution, adenosine was infused intravenously at a rate sufficient to decrease mean aortic pressure to 51 mm Hg. Myocardial blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres and used to calculate global left ventricular myocardial oxygen consumption and oxygen supply. Hemodilution alone increased aortic blood flow (+43%) but had no effect on aortic pressure, left atrial pressure, heart rate, or left ventricular dP/dtmax; an increase in myocardial blood flow (+130%) maintained oxygen supply and consumption at the baseline level. Adenosine-induced hypotension during hemodilution decreased heart rate (-35%), left ventricular dP/dt max (-28%), and aortic blood flow (-14%). These systemic responses were accompanied by reduced myocardial oxygen consumption (-29%) and increased myocardial blood flow (+54%) and myocardial oxygen supply (+72%). These latter effects resulted in reduction in the coronary arteriovenous oxygen content difference and in an attendant rise in coronary sinus Po2 (+66%), which are signs of luxuriant myocardial perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regional hemodynamics and oxygen supply during isovolemic hemodilution alone and in combination with adenosine-induced controlled hypotension

Studies were performed in ten pentobarbital-anesthetized, open chest dogs to evaluate regional circulatory effects of isovolemic hemodilution alone, and in combination with adenosine-induced controlled hypotension. Regional blood flow measured with 15-microns radioactive microspheres was used to calculate regional oxygen supply. Hemodilution with 5% dextran (40,000 molecular weight) reduced arterial hematocrit and oxygen content by approximately one-half and caused heterogeneous changes in regional blood flows; flow decreased in the spleen, was unchanged in the renal cortex, liver, skeletal muscle and skin, and increased in the duodenum, pancreas, brain and myocardium; however, only in the brain and myocardium were increases in flow sufficient to preserve oxygen supply. Intravenous infusion of adenosine reduced aortic pressure by 50% and reduced flow in most tissues (renal cortex, pancreas, liver, spleen, skin, and brain), with the result that oxygen deficits were produced or accentuated in these organs. The magnitude of flow reductions in the renal cortex (-73%) and cerebral cortex (-37%) were noteworthy. In the myocardium, direct coronary vasodilation by adenosine caused parallel increases in blood flow and oxygen supply to levels exceeding prevailing metabolic requirements. It is concluded that 1) during isovolemic hemodilution alone, oxygen supply to the brain and myocardium is maintained at the expense of oxygen supply to less critical organs and, 2) during combined isovolemic hemodilution and adenosine-induced hypotension, oxygen is oversupplied to the myocardium but undersupplied to the brain and kidney. These latter effects suggest the need for extensive clinical monitoring of patients in whom combined isovolemic hemodilution and adenosine-induced hypotension is utilized.

Cardiac electrophysiologic effects of pancuronium

A microelectrode examination of guinea pig left ventricular papillary muscle was performed to determine whether there was a direct effect of pancuronium on cardiac cells and, if so, to attempt to ascertain the mechanism of this effect. Electrical events were measured before and during superfusion with pancuronium, epinephrine, propranolol, and verapamil; alone and in various combinations. Pancuronium prolonged the duration of the action potential (AP); increased resting potential (Em), AP magnitude, and rate of rise of the AP (dV/dt); and resulted in spontaneity in 12% of the muscles. Epinephrine and pancuronium combined caused spontaneity in 80% of the muscles and oscillatory behavior. Additionally, this combination decreased AP magnitude, Em, and dV/dt in several preparations--a pattern of response similar to that seen in ouabain-treated myocardial cells under the influence of catecholamines. These changes were always reversed by verapamil or by perfusion with a drug-free medium, and were usually reversed by propranolol. The data suggest a combined pancuronium/epinephrine induced increase in cardiac membrane permeability to Ca2+.

The influence of halothane and nitroprusside on canine spinal cord hemodynamics

Regional spinal cord blood flow was measured in 12 halothane-anesthetized mongrel dogs by means of 15 +/- 3 u radiolabeled microspheres under (1) control conditions, (2) 60-torr mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) using sodium nitroprusside (NPS), (3) 50-torr MAP using NPS, and (4) after reestablishment of normotension. With the onset of either level of hypotension, there were nonsignificant decreases from control conditions in cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). A rise in heart rate was seen at 50 torr MAP. There were no significant changes in spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) under either hypotensive condition in any region of the cord, indicating an intact autoregulatory response. Sensitivity of SCBF to changes in the PaCO2 was shown to be 1.02 ml/min/100 g tissue per torr PaCO2. These data showed that (1) deliberate hypotension with NPS did not change SCBF in the dog; (2) sensitivity to PaCO2 was high under halothane anesthesia; and (3) SCBF was relatively homogeneous throughout the length of the cord.

Deliberate hypotension and anesthetic requirements of halothane

Following determination of minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) of halothane during normotension, 18 dogs were divided into three groups. Dogs in each group then received either pentolinium, trimethaphan, or sodium nitroprusside, and mean arterial pressure was decreased to 60% of control values for 1 hour. The MAC of halothane was determined during hypotension and then arterial pressure was returned to control values and MAC was redetermined at normotension. The MAC of halothane decreased significantly during hypotension in all three groups: in the pentolinium group from a control MAC of 1.2 +/- 0.14 (SEM) to a MAC of 0.7 +/- 0.11 during hypotension, in the trimethaphan group from a control MAC of 1.02 +/- 0.06 to a MAC of 0.72 +/- 0.07 during hypotension, and in the nitroprusside group from a control MAC of 1.02 +/- 0.07 to a MAC of 0.73 +/- 0.07 during hypotension. Upon return of mean arterial pressure to normotensive levels, MAC of halothane returned to control values in dogs given pentolinium and trimethaphan, but in dogs given nitroprusside MAC remained at the hypotensive value. There was no correlation between the changes in MAC and carotid blood flow or cardiac index. These data indicate that anesthetic requirements decrease during deliberate hypotension irrespective of the drug used to produce hypotension.

Anesthetic care of pediatric surgical patients

Some technical aspects of intraoperative anesthetic care of pediatric surgical patients are discussed. Recent concepts of premedicant, anesthetic and muscle relaxant drugs as related to the pediatric patient are presented. Endotracheal intubation is an integral part of the pediatric anesthetic management. Adequacy of fluid and blood replacement is emphasized. Most current pediatric anesthetic systems incorporate the "T piece" principle. Maintenance of a near normal PaCO2 could be accomplished by allowing partial rebreathing during controlled ventilation. Current status of three useful techniques is presented: deliberate hypotension, hemodilution, and the rapid induction-intubation technique for children with a full stomach. Anesthetic considerations of special problems, such as neurosurgery or cardiac surgery and monitoring, are not discussed.