Detection of acetazolamide-induced increase in organ blood flow in rabbits by laser flowmetry.

Purpose: We investigated the mechanism by which inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA) increases organ blood flow.

Methods: Regional blood flow (rBF) in white rabbits anesthetized with ketamine/urethane was measured in the kidney, liver, stomach wall, and abdominal muscle by means of laser blood flow probes. Data obtained from rabbits receiving acetazolamide (AZ) to inhibit CA were compared with those obtained from rabbits ventilated with air containing increased concentrations of CO.