• Z L S Brookes, N J Brown, and C S Reilly.
• Division of Clinical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, UK.
• Br J Anaesth. 2002 Feb 1; 88 (2): 255-63.

BackgroundThe differential effects of i.v. anaesthesia on the response of the mesenteric microcirculation after haemorrhage in vivo are previously unexplored.MethodsMale Wistar rats (n=56) were anaesthetized intravenously either with propofol and fentanyl (propofol/fentanyl), ketamine or thiopental. A tracheostomy and carotid cannulation were performed and the mesentery surgically prepared for observation of the microcirculation using fluorescent in vivo microscopy. Animals were allocated to one of three groups: control, haemorrhage or haemorrhage re-infusion.ResultsAfter haemorrhage, the response of the microcirculation differed during propofol/fentanyl, ketamine and thiopental anaesthesia. During propofol/fentanyl anaesthesia there was constriction of arterioles (-16.7 (3.9)%), venules (-5.9 (1.7)) and capillaries (-16.3 (2.8)) (n=12). During ketamine and thiopental anaesthesia both constriction and dilation was observed. After haemorrhage and re-infusion, macromolecular leak occurred from venules during propofol/fentanyl and thiopental anaesthesia (P<0.05), but not during ketamine anaesthesia.ConclusionIn summary, i.v. anaesthetic agents differentially alter the response of the mesenteric microcirculation to haemorrhage.

32 keywords...

hide…