Constant Infusion of Epinephrine: Rate of Epinephrine Secretion and Destruction in the Body

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Abstract
Epinephrine was infused into dogs at a constant rate from a motor driven syringe. Within 10 min. after beginning such infusions an avg. of 17% of the fluid in the blood stream was lost from the circulation, presumably because of elevated venous pressure. By studying constant infusions into dogs with complete spinal anesthesia, it was possible to determine the rate of continuous epinephrine injn. needed to maintain blood pressure at a normal level when the sympathetic system is totally inactivated. From this data it was concluded that the normal dog under pentobarbital anesthesia secretes approx. 0.00045 mg./kg./min. of epinephrine or sympathin equivalent. By studying the curve of rising blood pressure at the beginning of each infusion, and using appropriate mathematical analysis, it was detd. that the rate of epinephrine destruction is probably very nearly directly proportional to the quantity (Q) of active epinephrine in the body at a given instant, and this rate for the dog was found to be 0.631 Q/min. It was also calculated that the amt. of active epinephrine in the dog''s body at any given time under pentobarbital anesthesia and under basal conditions is approx. 0.00071 mg./kg.
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