Hemodynamic and metabolic efficacy of dopamine versus norepinephrine in a brain-dead swine model.

We tested the hypothesis that hepatosplanchnic and systemic hemodynamics are improved with equi-effective doses of dopamine (DA) versus norepinephrine (NE) in a brain-dead swine model. Pigs (n = 18) were anesthetized and ventilated. Brain death was induced by epidural balloon inflation, hypoventilation, and hypoxia.

Cerebrovascular resuscitation after polytrauma and fluid restriction.

Background: There are few reproducible models of blast injury, so it is difficult to evaluate new or existing therapies. We developed a clinically relevant polytrauma model to test the hypothesis that cerebrovascular resuscitation is optimized when intravenous fluid is restricted.

Study Design: Anesthetized swine (42+/-5 kg, n=35) received blasts to the head and bilateral chests with captive bolt guns, followed by hypoventilation (4 breaths/min; FiO(2)=0.

Distribution of cardiac output and oxygen delivery in an acute animal model of single-ventricle physiology.

Background: When single-ventricle physiology is established acutely (ie, after a Norwood procedure), the combination of limited cardiac output and hypoxemia could result in limited oxygen transport to systemic organs. This study investigates the regional distribution of cardiac output and oxygen delivery after creation of single-ventricle physiology.

Methods: Single-ventricle physiology was created in 8 piglets, and 8 other piglets served as sham control animals.