Lack of effect of helium breathing on catecholamine levels in the adrenal vein blood of the rabbit.

Catecholamine levels were measured in the adrenal vein blood of the chloralose anesthetized rabbit during periods of helium-oxygen breathing (50% He-50% O2) and of air breathing. Blood samples were taken from the T-arm of a venous shunt made by cannulating the renal vein proximally to the orifice of the adrenal vein and connecting the distal end of the cannula to one in the femoral vein. Adrenal vein blood flow varied from 0.