The effects of lysine-vasopressin on hemodynamics during early post burn period in pigs

In order to investigate the central and peripheral circulatory effects of a vasoactive drug, lysin vasopressin (LVP), in the early postburn period, 18 piglets were submitted to an experimental study. Anaesthesia was performed by thiopentone sodium as i.v. infusion and mechanically controlled ventilation via endotracheal intubation. Burn injury was brought about by heated metal stamps applied to the back and sides of the animals causing a full thickness skin burn corresponding to 32-35% of the total body surface area. Cardiac output decreased significantly after burn and so did organ blood flow, measured with radioactively labelled microspheres, especially after 4 hours. LVP-infusion did not further decrease cardiac output after burn but decreased the blood flow to the skin, carcass and proximal gastrointestinal tract. The liver perfusion was increased, while the flow in the other organs was not different from that in burned pigs not given LVP. The therapeutical implications are discussed.