The Effects of Ketamine on Venous Capacitance in Rats

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Abstract
The effects of ketamine and pentobarbital were examined on venous capacitance in rats. Venous capacitance was assessed by measuring the mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP) at 3 levels of blood volume in conscious rats as well as during anesthesia with ketamine (125 mg/kg, i.p.) or pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.). MCFP was measured during brief periods of circulatory arrest produced by inflating an indwelling balloon in the right atrium. MCFP was maintained during ketamine anesthesia at a level similar to that measured in conscious animals, while it was decreased (P < 0.01) during pentobarbital anesthesia both at normal blood volume and following hemorrhage. Evidently, ketamine did not alter but pentobarbital increased venous capacitance. The slope of the regression line relating MCFP and blood volume was not altered by ketamine but was increased (P < 0.05) by pentobarbital, which suggests that ketamine did not alter but pentobarbital decreased total vascular compliance. Ketamine maintains but pentobarbital decreases venous tone.

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