Ketamine in hypovolemic dogs.

Abstract

The cardiopulmonary consequences of hemorrhagic hypovolemia and the subsequent administration of ketamine were evaluated in eight dogs; five additional dogs served as controls. Heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resistance, breathing rate, minute ventilation (VE), PaO2, alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient, and oxygen extraction ratio increased, while arterial and pulmonary pressures, CVP, cardiac output, oxygen transport, PVO2 PaCO2, mixed venous oxygen content, bicarbonate, and base deficit decreased in response to hypovolemia. Ketamine administration was associated with a significant increase in HR, arterial and pulmonary BP, and PaCO2, and a significant decrease in VE (transient), PaO2 (transient), and pH. Ketamine supported cardiovascular function well, did not impair tissue oxygenation, and caused only transient respiratory depression in these hypovolemic dogs.