Haemodynamic alterations in anaesthetized and acutely intoxicated newborn piglets

1. We investigated the haemodynamic alterations in 2-day old anaesthetized piglets after acute ethanol intoxication using the microsphere technique. 2. After ethanol infusion, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) decreased by 6%, cardiac output (CO) decreased by 26%, heart rate (HR) increased by 20% and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased by 36%. 3. Arterial perfusion to the kidneys, gastrointestinal (GI) organs and carcass decreased by 39%, 34% and 26%, respectively. 4. In piglets pretreated with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, the decrease in MABP and increase in HR were not observed after ethanol infusion, but the reduction in CO and increase in SVR were maintained. 5. Arterial blood flow to the GI organs and carcass, but not the kidneys, remained at significantly reduced levels. 6. These observations indicate that ethanol can adversely affect CO and arterial perfusion to GI and musculoskeletal structures while metabolites of ethanol, such as acetaldehyde, affect MABP and HR. Therefore, the clinical effects observed after acute ethanol intoxication in neonates may vary with their rate of ethanol metabolism.