Arrest of haemorrhage at experimental liver trauma by intra-portal infusion of nor-epinephrine

• The efficacy of intraportal (i.p.) nor-epinephrine infusion in controlling bleeding upon liver trauma in the presence of normal as well as defective platelet function was evaluated in the rat. Infusion of nor-epinephrine (10-4 M, NE) took place after cannulation of the gastro-duodenal vein, during 5 min prior to liver trauma. Simultaneously blood pressure (BP) was registered. Platelet aggregation was rendered defective by per os administration of acetyl-salicylic acid (2.5 mg/100 g bW ASA) 30 min prior to liver trauma. Liver trauma constituted of a standardized liver resection involving 2-3 per cent of the total liver weight, bleeding time and blood loss from the wound being registered. Haemoglobin (Hb), Haematocrit (Hct), platelet count (PC), APT-time and platelet aggregation were studied upon resection. I.p. infusion of NE resulted in significant increase of BP from 122.5 3.2 mm Hg in controls to 166.2 ± 3.2 mm Hg. NE infusion significantly decreased bleeding time at liver trauma from 270 ± 15 sec in controls to 154 ± 10 sec. Simultaneously blood-loss was decreased from 0.9 ± 0.1 g to 0.4 ± 0.1 gr. Administration of ASA increased bleeding time to 513 ± 17 sec and blood loss to 2.1 ± 0.1 gr. Infusion of NE in ASA pretreated rats reduced bleeding time to 253 ± 24 sec and blood loss to 1.1 ± 0.2 gr compared with animals receiving only ASA. Hb, Hct, PC and APT-time were not affected. Platelet aggregation was diminished after administration of ASA, but was not affected by NE.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)