Plasma vasopressin, renin and catecholamines during nitroprusside-induced hypotension in the newborn lamb

The circulating levels of vasopressin, catecholamines and renin activity before, during and following a 10-20% fall in mean arterial blood pressure induced by sodium nitroprusside were measured in six chronically catheterized lambs during the first week of life. No significant changes in pHa, PaO2, PaCO2, Plasma sodium or osmolality were observed during or following the infusion of sodium nitroprusside at an average of 12 g.kg-1.min-1 (table I). However, the fall in blood pressure at the end of 60 minutes infusion, was associated with significant increases in the plasma levels of vasopressin from a control value of 2.4 +/- 0.57 to a maximum of 35.1 +/- 16.3 pg/ml (p = .002), renin activity from 6.7 +/- 1.56 to 27.4 +/- 11.44 ng.ml-1.hr-1 (p = .003), and catecholamines from 189.3 +/- 42.15 to 543.3 +/- 100.52 pg.ml-1 (p = .0001). The increase in vasopressin is lower, while that of PRA was higher and catecholamines similar to those found in the ewe. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and catecholamine levels remained elevated for at least 30 minutes following the end of the infusion while the mean blood pressure rose significantly above control levels and remained elevated for twenty minutes. We speculate that the persistent elevated levels of vasoactive mediators are responsible for the prolonged rebound hypertension following the cessation of the nitroprusside infusion and is the result of an immaturity of either a feedback process or metabolism of the vasoactive mediators or a combination of both mechanisms. This rebound hypertension could have adverse effects particularly in the very immature neonate.