Abstract
Transient pleural effusions occurred in rats receiving continuous intravenous infusion of norepinephrine (NE, 0.1mg/kg/h). We hypothesized that these pleural effusions result from a NE-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and total peripheral resistance (TPR). NE was administered over time intervals between 20 min and 72 h. It induced an immediate doubling in RVSP whereas LVSP remained at the control level. TPR increased with a delay of 6 h. At this time, pleural effusions occurred in NE-treated animals, reached their maximum after 8h and disappeared after 24 h of NE stimulation. Combining NE with the α-blocker prazosin normalized TPR and prevented pleural effusions. Therefore, we interpret the pleural effusion as a consequence of pulmonary venous congestion, mainly caused by an increased TPR. LV hypertrophy which developed after 24 h of NE stimulation is considered to compensate for the hemodynamic disturbance due to the NE-induced elevation in TPR. This is reflected in the disappearance of pleural effusion.
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Received: 2 January 2001, Returned for revision: 16 January 2001, Revision received: 7 February 2001, Accepted: 5 March 2001
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Raßler, B., Barth, W. & Zimmer, HG. Transient pleural effusion in norepinephrine-stimulated rats. Basic Res Cardiol 96, 471–477 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003950170029
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003950170029