Der Anaesthesist
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Biography Historical Article
[In memoriam Professor Dr. Ludwig Zukschwerdt].
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Comparative Study
[The influence of inhalation anaesthetics on catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla in vivo].
The influence of chloroform and ether on the catecholamine (CA) secretion from the adrenal medulla was investigated in cats in order to compare these effects to those of halothane and methoxyflurane studied previously. The CA concentrations in the blood of the adrenolumbar vein were measured spectrofluorometrically. During inhalation of chloroform (1.0-1.5%) no significant changes of spontaneous CA secretion were observed; contrary to that, the secretion evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation was decreased. ⋯ The results differ qualitatively from those obtained with methoxyflurane and halothane; these anesthetics caused a pronounced inhibition of spontaneous CA output. The inhibition by ether of CA secretion evoked by splanchnic nerve stimulation was less pronounced than that caused by the other anaesthetics. By comparison of the effects of four inhalation anaesthetics we evaluated, which circulatory side effects depend on changes of CA output.
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The influence of halothane on the release of noradrenaline from synpathetic nerve endings was studied in isolated rabbit hearts with an intact postganglionic sympathetic nerve supply. In addition we investigated the influence of this anaesthetic on the effects of noradrenaline released from the nerve endings or infused into the aortic cannula. Halothane did not alter the noradrenaline release evoked by electrical stimulation of the postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibres. ⋯ The coronary flow decreased during application of halothane. Both stimulation of postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibres and noradrenaline infusion (250ng/min, lasting for 2 min) evoked a decline in coronary flow; the decrease in coronary flow caused by noradrenaline was markedly attenuated by halothane. This effect of halothane did probably not depend on alterations of the myocardial component of coronary resistance, but on the fact that the vasoconstrictor effect of noradrenaline on the coronary vessels was decreased by this anaesthetic.