[Effects of halogenated anesthetics on splanchnic hemodynamic in normo- and hypovolemic cirrhotic rats]

The effects of 1 MAC of either halothane, enflurane or isoflurane on splanchnic haemodynamics were studied in cirrhotic rats that were either normovolaemic or hypovolaemic from haemorrhage. A group of conscious rats acted as the control group. Bile duct ligation had been carried out in all the rats four weeks previously to induce cirrhosis. At the time of the study, all the rats were anaesthetized with ether for catheterization of the left femoral artery and vein, and the left ventricle via the right carotid. The control group was allowed to awake. When the other rats started to recover, they were artificially ventilated with room air and 1 MAC of the halogenated agent. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were monitored continuously. Once the animals had remained steady for one hour, 1.25 ml of blood for 100 g body weight was removed over a 10 min period. PaO2, PaCO2, arterial pH, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac index and regional blood flows (RBF) were measured before, and thirty minutes after the haemorrhage. Cardiac output and RBF were measured using the radioactive-labelled microsphere method. Only 32 animals were finally included, eight in each group. Splanchnic, portal and hepatic arterial blood flows were similar in conscious rats and in those receiving isoflurane or halothane, and were higher than in those receiving enflurane. The lowest splanchnic and portal venous blood flows were found in those rats receiving enflurane. After haemorrhage, these RBF decreased significantly in all groups except in the enflurane group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)