Renal hemodynamics in drug-overdosed patients

Effective renal plasms flow (ERPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as determined by a radioisotopic method, were evaluated in seven heroin-overdosage patients (Group I) and 7 hypnotic-sedative-analgesic overdosage patients (Group II). No patient had evidence of shock. There was no significant intergroup differences in PaO2, PaCO2, pH, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, cardiac output, or serum creatinine levels. Group I patients had lower ERPF and GFR compared to Group II (271 +/- 182.8 vs. 580 +/- 62 cc/min and 62.4 +/- 32.6 vs. 102.9 +/- 12.8 cc/min, respectively, p less than 0.005). We conclude that compared to hypnotic-sedative-analagesic overdosed patients heroin overdosed patients heroin overdosed patients have more profoundly altered renal hemodynamics.