Effects of ganglionic blockade upon the renal and cardiovascular dysfunction induced by thermal injury

Studies to test the effects of partial ganglionic blockade on renal and cardiovascular function were carried out in 16 mongrel dogs that under chloralose anesthesia had been subjected to full thickness flame burns to approximately 25% of their body surface. All animals received intravenous fluid replacement according to the same resuscitation formula we use in burned children. Half of the animals received 0.3 mg/kg of chlorisondamine hydrochloride 40 minutes after the burn; the remaining 8 dogs received only the vehicle. Among the variables monitored before burning and before and after blockade were glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, water and osmolar clearance, sodium and potassium excretion, cardiac output, mean arterial, right atrial, and left ventricular end diastolic pressure, peripheral resistance, peak dP/dt/P, blood pH, and blood gases. Analysis of the data has revealed that pharmacologic blockade of the sympathetic system during the immediate postburn period results in a marked improvement in cardiac output and moderate improvement in kidney function.