Recent investigations of the various shock states have focused on metabolic changes and especially changes in oxygen consumption. We previously reported a study of oxidative metabolism in experimental endotoxin shock employing a continuous oxygen consumption recorder.1 It was found that during the fourth hour of shock the restoration of the hemodynamic parameters by balanced fluid therapy did not correct the deficiency in oxygen uptake. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of several clinically employed vasoactive drugs upon oxygen consumption in experimental endotoxin shock. Lerarterenol (norepinephrine) bitartrate was selected as a vasoconstrictor agent, phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline) as an alpha receptor blocking agent, and isoproterenol (Isuprel) as an inotropic vasodilator.
Materials and Methods
Forty-three adult mongrel dogs were used, and changes in oxygen consumption, cardiac output, central blood volume, mean arterial blood pressure, hematocrit, arterial and venous oxygen saturation, arterial lactate and pyruvate, and arterial pH were