[Effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae composite injection on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in rabbits]

In the present experiment, the hemodynamic effect of Salvia miltiorrhizae composite injection (SMCI) on pulmonary and systemic circulation during hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension was observed. The results showed that the pulmonary arterial pressure increased at first in both group, then decreased gradually, but in SMCI group decreased much more than in the control group. The pulmonary vascular resistance increased very significantly in the control group, but in SMCI group considerably decreased after administration, then keeping at a level little more than the normal. Difference between groups was very significant. The stroke volume increased slightly at first and then decreased persistently in the control group, but increased significantly and kept at a higher level in SMCI group. The protective effects of SMCI on hypoxic myocardium was studied by observing ST-segment on ECG. It was found that the ST-segment fell in both groups, but the degree of fall in SMCI was much less than in the control group. It was found that the PaO2 was 35.1 +/- 2.6 in the control group, 38.1 +/- 2.4 in SMCI group. Difference between groups was significant (P less than 0.05.) The above results suggest that SMCI can diminish hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, improve PaO2 in hypoxic animal and protect hypoxic myocardium. Hence, SMCI can be used to prevent and treat hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension.