Interaction of isoflurane and sevoflurane with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations in rat myocardium.

BACKGROUND

Halothane potentiates the positive inotropic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations but impairs the positive lusitropic effect of beta-adrenoceptor stimulations. However, the interactions of isoflurane and sevoflurane with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulation have not been entirely defined.

METHODS

The effects of 1 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane and sevoflurane on the inotropic responses induced by phenylephrine (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) or isoproterenol (10(-8 to 10(-4) M) were studied in rat left ventricular papillary muscles in vitro (Krebs-Henseleit solution, 29 degrees C; pH, 7.4; 0.5 mM calcium; stimulation frequency, 12 pulses/min). The positive lusitropic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations were studied under isotonic and isometric conditions. Data are mean percentages of baseline +/- SEM.

RESULTS

In control groups, phenylephrine (134 +/- 8%; P < 0.05) and isoproterenol (171 +/- 7%; P < 0.05) induced a positive inotropic effect. Isoflurane enhanced the positive inotropic effects of phenylephrine (185 +/- 10%; P < 0.05) and of isoproterenol (203 +/- 11%; P < 0.05). Sevoflurane enhanced the positive inotropic effects of phenylephrine (187 +/- 10%; P < 0.05) and of isoproterenol (228 +/- 11%; P < 0.05). These potentiations were similar to those previously reported with halothane. Isoflurane and sevoflurane did not modify the positive lusitropic effects under low and high loads of isoproterenol.

CONCLUSION

Although isoflurane and sevoflurane have moderate negative inotropic effects, they potentiated the positive inotropic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations but did not modify the positive lusitropic effects of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.