Distribution of intrarenal blood flow consequent to left atrial balloon inflation.

The effects of inflation of a balloon within, and consequent distension of, the left atrium (LABI, left atrial balloon inflation) on total renal blood flow (RBF) and intrarenal blood flow distribution were measured and compared to values obtained from another group of dogs that were hemorrhaged (HEM) to the same level of hypotension as that produced by LABI, a mean systemic arterial pressure of 88 mm Hg. Kidney wt/kg, RBF/kg body wt, and urine flow were markedly reduced during the hemorrhage period in the HEM group when compared to values obtained during the experimental period for the LABI group. Data from the freeze-dissection (133Xe) analysis revealed that the percentage distribution of blood flow as renal outer cortical (OC) blood flow was less (26%) in the HEM group than in the LABI group (50%), this latter value being very similar to that of control dogs that experienced no hypotension (49%). LABI better maintains OC blood flow and urine flow when compared to HEM at the same systemic blood pressure, suggesting a role for cardiopulmonary receptors in reflex sympathetic control of renal blood flow distribution during hypotension.