Systemic and cerebral effects of prostacyclin-induced arterial hypotension in the dog

Prostacyclin has strong vasodilating and antiplatelet properties. This study was performed to investigate its potential for producing profound intraoperative hypotension. Five dogs were anesthetized with morphine, nitrous oxide, and oxygen, paralyzed with pancuronium, and ventilated to a PaCO2 of 40 torr. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was lowered to 40 mm Hg with an intravenous infusion of prostacyclin in 0.05 M Tris buffer (average rate of infusion 3 +/- 1 micrograms/kg/min). Blood flow was determined using the radioactive microsphere technique. Measurements were made before and after 20, 40, and 60 minutes of hypotension; and after a 40-minute recovery period. Infusion of prostacyclin reduced MABP 63% while increasing heart rate 51%. Tachyarrhythmias occurred in all dogs, and cardiac index decreased 18%. Myocardial blood flow decreased an average of 29%, cerebral blood flow decreased 30%, cerebellar blood flow decreased 18%, and blood flow in the brain stem and spinal cord was unchanged. Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen, determined by measuring the oxygen content of the sagittal sinus, was unchanged. Hypotension was easily induced and maintained using prostacyclin, without apparent tachyphylaxis. However, the cardiac changes caused by this drug are more severe than those accompanying hypotension induced by most other agents, and may represent a serious contraindication to its clinical use.