Systemic and digital vascular effects of intravenous histamine in the pony

The effects of a 60-minute IV infusion of histamine (0.5 mg of histamine base/minute) on the systemic, pulmonary, and digital vasculature were investigated in mature ponies. Immediately after the start of histamine infusion, there were a transient decrease in systemic pressure lasting less than 1 minute and then a brief period of systemic hypertension. Systemic pressure then returned to preinfusion levels for the remainder of the infusion period. Pulmonary arterial pressure increased transiently coincident with systemic hypotension. Histamine increased cardiac output and decreased both total peripheral and pulmonary vascular resistances. In the digit, blood flow increased for the duration of the systemic hypertension, but was otherwise unchanged. Digital lymph flow and protein concentration were unchanged by histamine. Hematocrit increased significantly after 60 minutes of histamine infusion, but plasma and blood volumes were unchanged. Histamine caused cyanosis, hyperpnea, and sweating in all ponies. The effects of histamine given IV do not mimic the systemic and digital vascular effects of acute alimentary laminitis.