Hemodynamic effects of induced hypotension by ketanserin in anesthetized dogs]

Hemodynamic effects of hypotension induced by ketanserin were investigated in 18 mongrel dogs under 0.87% halothane in oxygen (1 MAC). They were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group C (n = 9) received no vasodilator therapy and served as a control and group K (n = 9) received 0.1% ketanserin solution. Mean arterial pressure decreased and was maintained at 60 mmHg for 60 minutes in group K. No change was noted in hemodynamic variables measured in group C throughout the experiment. During and after induced hypotension in group K, stroke volume index increased significantly compared with the control value. On the other hand, systemic vascular resistance was significantly reduced, reaching 50% of the control value at the end of the hypotensive period. Left ventricular maximum dp/dt showed a significant reduction during hypotension but then increased gradually to the control value. In addition, heart rate decreased significantly during and after induced hypotension, therefore these vasodilator effects were not accompanied by reflex tachycardia. Cardiac index remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Further, no changes in central venous pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were observed. In conclusion, the data indicate that ketanserin is a potent systemic vasodilator producing stable hemodynamics. It also reduces systemic vascular resistance without reflex tachycardia and this is a favorable effect of ketanserin.