Effects of tolazoline on regional blood flows in the newborn piglet

To assess the effects of intravenous tolazoline on hemodynamics and regional blood flow distribution, 12 anesthetized newborn piglets were studied. Six piglets received saline and served as controls, the other 6 received two bolus doses of tolazoline (1 and 2 mg/kg). Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from control levels of 69.4 +/- 5.6 to 54.6 +/- 7.0 and 47.0 +/- 5.6 mm Hg, respectively, after 1 and 2 mg/kg of tolazoline, and heart rate increased from 220 +/- 9 to 270 +/- 13 and 282 +/- 8 beats/min, respectively. Cardiac output and regional blood flows were measured 15 min after tolazoline by the radioactive microsphere technique. Cardiac index did not change significantly. There was a redistribution of cardiac output toward the coronary circulation, with an increase in coronary blood flow from a control value of 249.3 +/- 39.9 to 361.0 +/- 56.4 ml/min/100 g of tissue after 1 mg/kg of tolazoline. Bronchial blood flow was also significantly increased. After a dose of 2 but not 1 mg/kg, the renal blood flow was markedly decreased from 139.8 +/- 17.8 to 104.4 +/- 24.5 ml/min/100 g. The other regional blood flows were not significantly modified. We conclude that tolazoline is a potent coronary vasodilator during the neonatal period. In addition we speculate that the decrease in renal blood flow might play a role in the renal toxicity of tolazoline.