Effects of ether anesthesia and surface-induced hypothermia on regional blood flow

Regional blood flow and distribution of cardiac output (CO) were evaluated by the radioactive microsphere technique in seven rhesus monkeys prior to anesthesia, following the induction of deep ether anesthesia and throughout the cooling course during surface-induced hypothermia to temperatures of 20 degrees C. As given, deep ether anesthesia alone significantly decreased CO 10% to 15% and output fraction (Qt) was decreased to the carcass, increased to the splanchnic circulation (although not statistically significant), and unchanged to other organs, while total vascular (TVR) and organ resistances were reduced. With the addition of cooling, CO progressively decreased. Individual organ Qt's, however, did not change from anesthetized normothermic values; thus organ flows decreased parallel to the reduction of CO as cooling progressed. TVR and organ vascular resistances increased to levels in excess of 150% of anesthetized precooling values, apparently as the result of viscosity rather than vascular changes.