Hemodynamic and metabolic responses to repeated blood sampling in the rat

Repeated blood sampling (0.2 ml) in the conscious rat during the course of 10 cardiac index measurements using the Fick procedure did not alter the cardiac index as measured initially (285 ml x min-1 x kg-1). However, oxygen consumption and hematocrit were reduced 7-19% and 4-14%, respectively. Replacement of blood removed during sampling with donor blood prevented these responses, but also led to reduced cardiac index and arterial oxygen content, 22-28% and 10-21%, respectively. In additional studies in anesthetized rats, hemorrhage (25 ml/kg) increased plasma K+ by 29% and reduced plasma Na+ by 3%, suggesting that compensatory fluid replacement originated in cells as well as interstitium. This fluid replacement after blood loss helps sustain normal systemic hemodynamics, but blood loss can produce metabolic alterations that should be taken into account in any biochemical study. Although metabolic alterations can be prevented by replacing lost blood with donor blood, cardiopulmonary function may be adversely affected.