Effects of anesthesia on carotid sinus reflex control of arterial hemodynamics in the dog.

The detailed characteristics of the carotid sinus reflex control of regional pressure-flow relations were compared in dogs anesthetized with chloralose, pentobarbital, or halothane. The carotid sinuses were isolated and perfused under conditions of controlled pulsatile pressure. Pressure and flow were measured in the ascending aorta and the celiac, mesenteric, renal, and iliac artery. Mean arterial pressure and peripheral resistance were highest under chloralose and lowest under halothane. For cardiac output this relation was reversed. Set point values of reflex gain and overall range of control were similar under chloralose and halothane and lowest under pentobarbital. These results were found both before and after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Operating point values of regional resistance were generally largest with chloralose and smallest with halothane. Operating point sensitivities of regional resistances were generally smallest under pentobarbital and similar under chloralose and halothane. Vagotomy was associated with increases in set point values of mean arterial pressure, set point gain, and overall range of control under all three anesthetics. With chloralose as a reference, halothane does not depress cardiovascular reflex mechanisms. Carotid sinus reflexes under halothane were as sensitive and well maintained as they were under chloralose. These reflexes were significantly depressed under pentobarbital compared with chloralose.