Supraphysiological glucocorticoid treatment in hypoxic stress in dogs

Effects of supraphysiologic methylprednisolone succinate doses on systolic time intervals, hemodynamic performance, and metabolism were studied in normal dogs during normoxia, after 60 min of normocapnic hypoxemia (PAO2 = 30 mm Hg), and reoxygenation. Bolus injections of 30 or 100 mg/kg methylprednisolone did not exert any positive inotropic action during normoxia. Cardiovascular and metabolic changes induced by hypoxia were modified only to a modest and statistically insignificant degree by sustained high levels of methylprednisolone.