CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF PRONETHALOL IN THE DOG

Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of an intravenous injection of pronethalol (2.5 mg/kg) and the effect of this agent on the cardiovascular changes induced by an infusion of adrenaline (0.2 μg/kg per minute) were investigated in intact anaesthetized dogs. Fifteen minutes after the administration of pronethalol, significant increases were observed in oxygen consumption, right ventricular systolic pressure, and haematocrit, and decreases in arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance. Arterial hypotension and a fall in stroke work were the only changes noted at 30 minutes. There was considerable variability in cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate but, on the average, no significant change was observed. Pretreatment with pronethalol abolished or significantly reduced the adrenaline-induced rises in cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, stroke work, oxygen consumption, right ventricular systolic pressure, and arterial haematocrit, and reversed the changes in diastolic arterial pressure and peripheral resistance. It is concluded that pronethalol is not devoid of sympathomimetic activity and that it effectively blocks the adrenaline responses mediated by β-receptors.