[Endocrine effects of induced hypotension by ketanserin in anesthetized dogs]

Plasma levels of catecholamines, aldosterone and cortisol as well as plasma renin activity during hypotension by ketanserin were studied in 9 mongrel dogs under 0.87% halothane in oxygen (1MAC). Mean arterial pressure was reduced and maintained at 60 mmHg for 60 minutes by the infusion of 0.1% ketanserin solution. Plasma norepinephrine decreased progressively during hypotension to 35% of the control value after induced hypotension. In contrast, plasma epinephrine increased three-four folds compared with the control value during and after induced hypotension, but this change was not statistically significant. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone showed a slight increase during hypotension but returned toward the control value after discontinuing the infusion of ketanserin. Plasma cortisol remained unchanged throughout the experiment. In conclusion, our data show that hypotension by ketanserin is not accompanied by the activation of the renin-angiotensin-sympathetic system or adrenocortical system.