Cardiac function and metabolism following hemorrhage in the newborn lamb

Cardiac performance was assessed in 33 lambs less than 1 to 5 days of age by means of left ventricular function curves. Performance was quantified by determining stroke volume ejected at end diastolic pressure 10 cm H2O (SV10) with constant afterload. Coronary flow, myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2), blood gas tensions and pH were determined. Measurements were obtained before and at 30 min intervals following hemorrhage to 30 mm Hg arterial pressure, and in controls (arterial pressure 75 mm Hg). Effects of metabolic acidosis, hypercapnia and beta-blockade were determined. In control lambs acidosis and hypercapnia failed to reduce SV10 after two hours. In hemorrhaged animals both factors sharply reduced SV10 and lambs with prior beta-blockade showed no greater reduction. MVO2 fell following hemorrhage but did not differ with metabolic conditions and did not relate to SV10. It is concluded that beta-adrenergic function is critically important in preserving left ventricular performance in newborn exposed to acidosis or hypercapnia. With sustained hemorrhage this mechanism fails leading to a significant depression of ventricular function. MVO2 was not a determining factor in these studies.