Fentanyl inhibits the canine carotid chemoreceptor reflex.

To investigate the impact of fentanyl on the carotid chemoreceptor reflex, nine mongrel dogs were permanently monitored with electromagnetic flow transducers around the right common iliac artery and with heparin-filled catheters in the descending aorta and in one of the main carotid arteries with the tip just proximal to the carotid sinus. Carotid chemoreceptor activation (CCRA) produced by consecutive injections of nicotine (0.2-0.4 micrograms/kg) through the carotid catheter elicited bradycardia, expressed as an increase in cardiac cycle length by 140% +/- 18%, and a 252% +/- 16% increase in mean iliac arterial vascular resistance. These responses were markedly attenuated by fentanyl in a dose-dependent fashion: cardiac cycle length increased only by 50% +/- 7% (P less than 0.01) with 4 micrograms/kg and by 19% +/- 6% (P less than 0.01) with 8 micrograms/kg of intravenous fentanyl. These changes were paralleled by significantly (P less than 0.01) lesser increases in mean iliac arterial resistance (122% +/- 9% and 50% +/- 5%). It is concluded that fentanyl impairs the integrity of the carotid chemoreceptor reflex.