THE EFFECT OF A NEW ANTI‐INFLAMMATORY DRUG, FLURBIPROFEN, ON THE RESPIRATORY, HAEMODYNAMIC AND METABOLIC RESPONSES TO E. coli ENDOTOXIN SHOCK IN THE CAT

Abstract

1 The intravenous administration of E. coli endotoxin (2.0 mg/kg) in cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone resulted in immediate pulmonary hypertension and reductions in lung compliance and systemic arterial Po₂. These effects were abolished, or greatly reduced, by the prior intravenous administration of flurbiprofen in doses (100 and 250 μg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) which were devoid of cardiovascular or metabolic effects. Flurbiprofen is thus the most active antipyretic-analgesic drug so far examined in this experimental model. 2 Production of lactate, characteristic of the severe, secondary endotoxin shock phase, was delayed only by the highest dose of flurbiprofen; hypotension, hypoglycaemia and the reduction in cardiac output which occurs during this phase, were unaffected. 3 These findings are discussed with reference to the treatment of the ‘shocked lung’ syndrome of human septicaemia.