Cardiovascular reflexes during abdominal ischemia in cats

Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of regional abdominal ischemia and reperfusion were studied in cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. In group 1 (n = 9), central venous pressure was kept constant by a servo-controller while the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries were occluded by loop snares for 10 min. In group 2 (n = 9), a constant-perfusion circuit to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries that could divert flow to the femoral vein was used to induce abdominal ischemia. In group 3 (n = 7), venous return from the inferior vena cava was controlled, and a constant-perfusion circuit was used to induce abdominal ischemia. Abdominal ischemia significantly (P < 0.05) increased portal venous blood lactate from 4.3 +/- 0.6 to 6.0 +/- 0.6 mM in group 3. The early increases in blood pressure caused by passive volume shifts in groups 1 and 2 were abolished in group 3. The late, i.e., 10 min, response to abdominal ischemia consisted of significant (P < 0.05) increases in mean arterial pressure (29 +/- 7, 24 +/- 7, and 33 +/- 8 mmHg in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Abdominal ischemia also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the first derivative of left ventricular pressure at 40 mmHg developed pressure from 4,355 +/- 377 to 4,839 +/- 407 mmHg/s in group 3. Celiac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy abolished the late but not the early hemodynamic changes. Ganglionectomy also significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the decrease in mean arterial pressure during reperfusion in all groups. We conclude that the pressor and contractile responses during 10 min of abdominal ischemia and the relative maintenance of blood pressure during reperfusion after ischemia are reflex in nature.