Effects of desflurane in senescent rat myocardium.
BACKGROUND
The myocardial negative inotropic effects of desflurane are less pronounced than those of other halogenated anesthetics, partly because of intramyocardial catecholamine store release. However, the effects of desflurane on aging myocardium are unknown, whereas aging is known to be associated with an attenuation of catecholamine responsiveness.


METHODS
The effects of desflurane (1.9-9.3 vol%) were studied in left ventricular papillary muscle of adult and senescent rats (29 degrees C; 0.5 mm Ca; stimulation frequency 12 pulses/min). The inotropic effects were compared under low and high loads, using the maximum unloaded shortening velocity and maximum isometric active force, and without or with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade.


RESULTS
Desflurane induced a moderate positive inotropic effect in adult rats but a negative inotropic effect in senescent rats. After alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade, desflurane induced a comparable negative inotropic effect in adult and senescent rats. No lusitropic effect under low load was observed, whereas desflurane induced a slight but significant positive lusitropic effect under high load similar between the two groups of rats. This positive effect was abolished by adrenoceptor blockade.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors' study suggests that desflurane does not induce significant intramyocardial catecholamine release in senescent myocardium, a result that should be integrated in the well-known alteration in the catecholamine response during aging.
Rozenberg
Sandrine
S
Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Besse
Sophie
S
Amour
Julien
J
Vivien
Benoît
B
Tavernier
Benoît
B
Riou
Bruno
B
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000077335:Desflurane; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane