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The effects of oxytocin on the pulmonary and systemic circulation in pregnant ewes
N V Roberts1, P J Keast, V Brodeky
1Department of Anaesthesia, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Victoria.
Abstract:
The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin on the pulmonary and systemic circulation were studied in six awake, pregnant (greater than 140 days gestation) ewes. Bolus doses of oxytocin 0.2 units/kg and then 0.8 units/kg were administered. A dose of 0.2 units/kg resulted in small but significant increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure (14%, P less than 0.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance (24%, P less than 0.05. A bolus of 0.8 units/kg resulted in a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (20%, P less than 0.05) and systemic vascular resistance (33%, P less than 0.05). Acute pulmonary hypertension was then induced with glass bead microemboli (150-200 microns), with an increase in pulmonary artery pressure of 26 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance of 448 dyn. s. cm-5. Boluses of oxytocin 0.2 and 0.8 units/kg were then administered. There were no significant changes, except for a 30% increase in systemic vascular resistance at one minute after oxytocin, 0.8 units/kg (P less than 0.05).