The effect of halothane on the distribution of cardiac output and organ blood flow in the hypovolemic dog.

The circulatory effect of halothane anesthesia given to moderately hypovolemic dogs (blood loss 25 ml/kg b.w.) was investigated using the radioactive microsphere technique. The effect of the anesthetic was reflected by a decrease in the arterial mean blood pressure and a reduced blood flow to the heart, whereas the blood flows to other organs did not change significantly but were well preserved in vital organs (brain, kidneys, liver and lungs). The effect on the circulation of reinfusing the withdrawn blood was also studied.