RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY RESPONSES TO ACUTE METHEMOGLOBINEMIA PRODUCED BY ANILINE

Abstract

The respiratory and circulatory effects of 48-68% methemoglobinemia produced by oral adm. of 50 mg./kg. of aniline were detd. on trained unanesthetized dogs. Pulmonary ventilation remained unchanged. No significant change occurred in O2 consumption, but the arterial-venous O2 difference decreased 10-50%. Cardiac output increased 20-80%, pulse rate increased 60-100%, and stroke vol. tended to decrease. Arterial O2 content was reduced in direct proportion to the methemoglobinemia, but arterial O2 saturation remained unchanged. Venous O2 saturation decreased 20-30% despite the increased cardiac output.