The systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of phenylephrine in sheep under normal conditions and during early hyperdynamic sepsis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Phenylephrine treatment of hypotension in sepsis raises concern because it may decrease vital organ bloodflow. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of phenylephrine on systemic and regional bloodflow in normal and septic sheep. METHODS: Responses to phenylephrine or vehicle infusion for 6 hours were determined in conscious normal sheep and sheep with early sepsis induced by administration of live Escherichia coli. Cardiac output and coronary, mesenteric, and renal bloodflow were measured with implanted flow probes. RESULTS: In normal sheep, phenylephrine decreased cardiac output and heart rate (HR) but increased stroke volume and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (84 ± 6 to ..