Effects of adenosine-induced hypotension on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the pig.

The cerebral and systemic effects of hypotension induced by adenosine (0.61 +/- 0.07 mg.kg-1.min-1) were studied in eight pigs anesthetized with droperidol, phenoperidine and nitrous oxide. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was reduced by 58%, from 17.2 kPa (128 mmHg) to 6.9 kPa (53 mmHg) during a 30-min period. The hypotension was caused by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (58%) while the cardiac output was unaffected. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), as determined by microsphere distribution, and the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) remained unchanged. Cerebral vascular resistance decreased by 61%. There were no signs of cerebral lactate release. After discontinuation of adenosine infusion, the MABP returned to control levels within 5 min. Thirty minutes later the CBF was increased by approximately 60% in comparison to the control, while the CMRO2 was unchanged. It is concluded that adenosine-induced hypotension in pigs is associated with preserved CBF and CMRO2, whereas cerebral hyperperfusion is present in the early post-hypotensive period.