Cerebral and systemic circulatory effects of arterial hypotension induced by adenosine

In six dogs anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was lowered to 40 mm Hg for an average of 90 minutes by intravenous infusion of adenosine. The hypotensive effect of the adenosine was potentiated by administering dipyridamole to block its intravascular inactivation. Blood flow to the brain, spinal cord, heart, kidneys, and skeletal muscle was measured six times in each animal using the radioactive microsphere technique. Determinations were made before, during, and 30 minutes after the hypotensive period. During the hypotensive period, MAP was decreased 61% and was related to a proportional decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. Cardiac index decreased 14%. Total cerebral blood flow (CBF) decreased an average of 28% and cerebral vascular resistance decreased 53%. The reduction in CBF was heterogeneous; the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum were most affected and the brain stem least affected. No change occurred in the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen usage (CMRO2). Left ventricle flow increased 147% and right ventricle flow increased 271%. Blood flow to the kidneys decreased 70%, and to the liver decreased to 6% of control. Jejunum blood flow increased 138% during recovery, while stomach flow varied but showed no statistical change. There was no tachyphylaxis, rebound hypertension, or toxicity associated with the adenosine-induced hypotension. These properties suggest that adenosine may be a useful agent for inducing arterial hypotension in neurosurgical patients.