Cardiovascular reactions to intramedullary reaming of long bones in dogs

The cardiovascular reactions to reaming of the medullary cavity of the femoral bones in dogs were studied. Intramedullary reaming caused marked reductions in systemic and pulmonary artery blood pressure. Cardiac output was maintained, while total peripheral resistance was reduced. The haemodynamic changes were transient, and it is suggested that they were caused by a neurally transmitted reflex mechanism.