Angiotensin II effects in a swine model of cardiac arrest.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of different doses of the vasopressor angiotensin II on aortic diastolic and coronary perfusion pressures in a swine model of cardiac arrest. Immature swine were anesthetized and hemodynamically monitored. Ventricular fibrillation was induced; CPR was begun after ten minutes of ventricular fibrillation. Aortic and right atrial pressures were recorded continuously throughout the experiment. Animal research laboratory. Immature swine weighing 21 to 32 kg. Angiotensin II was administered in doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 micrograms/kg at 13 minutes of ventricular fibrillation. Each dose was tested in four swine. Except for animals receiving 25 micrograms/kg, aortic diastolic pressure increased significantly in all groups after administration of angiotensin II compared with groups receiving CPR alone. Coronary perfusion pressure increased significantly only with 50- and 75-micrograms/kg doses. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters among the different dose groups. Angiotensin II in doses of 50, 75, and 100 micrograms/kg significantly increased aortic diastolic pressure, and doses of 50 and 75 micrograms/kg significantly increased coronary perfusion pressure in this model of cardiac arrest.