The Immediate Pressor Effect of Desoxycorticosterone Acetate

Abstract

Five mg. of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA), in 2.5 ml. of propylene glycol, was injd. intraven. in 5 normal subjects and in 5 with arterial hypertension. Blood pressure was detd. by direct brachial artery puncture, employing a Hamilton optical manometer. Blood content of the ear was detd. with a photoelectric plethysmograph, and venous pressure by an optical membrane manometer. A photokymograph recorded the changes. Propylene glycol alone did not affect blood pressure, except in 1 case where it caused pain on injn. DCA in propylene glycol caused a significant rise in pressure in hypertensive subjects, but not in normal subjects. There were no significant changes in venous pressure or in blood vol. in the ear. Cardiac output was not changed. In 1 case, 5 mg. of progesterone, in 2.5 ml. of propylene glycol, given intraven., raised the blood pressure. The responses were prolonged.