Acute hypotension during acetate-buffered dialysis in chemically sympathectomized dogs.

Hemodialysis of chemically sympathectomized dogs using acetate-buffered dialysate was associated with a profound early drop in blood pressure due to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. Subsequently, blood pressure and peripheral resistance recovered to near normal levels. An increased pulse rate was also noted. None of these hemodynamic changes occurred when bicarbonate-buffered dialysate was used.