Coronary hemodynamics and oxygen utilization after hematocrit variations in hemorrhage

Twenty closed-chest dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium were used for studying coronary hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen utilization during hemorrhagic hypotension, with the mean arterial pressure maintained constant at 50 mmHg. Variations of hematocrit (Hct) were achieved by exchange of blood with plasma or packed cells. Coronary blood flow (133Xe washout) varied inversely with Hct, whereas cardiac output (indicator dilution) showed a peak value at a Hct of approximately 25%. Coronary, systemic, and pulmonary flow resistances varied in the same direction with Hct, and the relationship was attributable to the change of blood viscosity with Hct. Analyses of vascular hindrance (= resistance/viscosity) suggested that during hemorrhagic hypotension, coronary vasodilation was maintained during variations of Hct. In systemic and pulmonary circulations, however, there were marked increases in vasoconstriction after hemodilution. The optimum Hct for maximum O2 transport was 25% for coronary circulatin and approximately 45% for systemic circulation. The O2 consumption (QO2) in the myocardium increased after hemodilution with a peak value at a Hct of approximately 25%. The QO2 in the total body was constant over a wide range of Hct between 25 and 45%, above and below which the QO2 decreased.