Pharmacology
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The haemodynamic changes during epidural anaesthesia and following the administration of dihydroergotamine (DHE; 10 micrograms/kg i.v.) were studied in 7 dogs (epidural group). Epidural anaesthesia was associated with reductions in mean arterial, mean pulmonary arterial and mean right atrial pressures. ⋯ In a second group of dogs (control group, n = 8) with intact innervation, i.e. without epidural block, DHE (10 micrograms/kg iv.) also decreased femoral flow and increased femoral resistance which, however, was significantly less pronounced ( p less than 0.01). It is concluded that DHE in epidural anaesthesia constricts arteriolar resistance vessels, mainly within the blocked areas.