Does continuous intravenous infusion of low-concentration epinephrine impair uterine blood flow in pregnant ewes?
OBJECTIVE
Bolus intravenous injection of epinephrine can decrease uterine blood flow. This study examined the effects of intravenous infusion of epinephrine on uterine blood flow in the gravid ewe.


METHODS
Maternal and fetal vascular catheters and a maternal electromagnetic uterine artery flow probe were implanted in 10 near-term gravid ewes. After recovery, saline, 0.125% bupivacaine, 0.125% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, 0.125% bupivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine, and 0.125% bupivacaine with 1:800,000 epinephrine were infused into the maternal superior vena cava. Drugs were infused at 10 mL/h for 30 minutes and then at 20 mL/h for an additional 30 minutes. Animals also received an intravenous bolus of epinephrine 15 micrograms. Throughout all infusions, maternal heart rate, systemic and pulmonary blood pressures, uterine blood flow, cardiac output, and acid-base balance were measured, as well as fetal heart rate, blood pressure, and acid-base balance.


RESULTS
Epinephrine 15 micrograms decreased uterine blood flow to 68 +/- 14% of baseline (mean +/- SD). Infusion of all solutions had no effect on any measured hemodynamic variable.


CONCLUSIONS
In gravid ewes, intravenous infusion of < or = 1.67 micrograms/min epinephrine altered neither maternal hemodynamics nor uterine blood flow. To the extent that sheep data can be extrapolated to humans, these results suggest that continuous intravenous infusion of epinephrine in local anesthetic solutions is safe if the epidural catheter should enter a blood vessel during the infusion.
Norris
M C
MC
Department of Anesthesiology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Grieco
W
W
Arkoosh
V A
VA
D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects
D004837:Epinephrine