EFFECTS OF KETAMINE ON CENTRAL SYMPATHETIC DISCHARGE AND THE BARORECEPTOR REFLEX DURING MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Abstract

In rabbits which were ventilated mechanically, with a background anaesthetic of pentobarbitone or after decerebration, ketamine depressed preganglionic sympathetic activity and arterial pressure. Conduction through central baroreceptor pathways, tested by depressor nerve stimulation, showed a selective inhibition of the heart rate response.