British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 81, Issue 2 140-144, Copyright © 1998 by The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
M. T. Taittonen, R. Aantaa and O. A. Kirvela
This study was designed to investigate whether clonidine could attenuate
the increase in oxygen consumption (VO2), arterial pressure (AP) and plasma
catecholamines in response to the cold pressor test (CPT), an intense
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Six volunteers were given
clonidine (2 micrograms kg-1 and 4 micrograms kg- 1) and placebo i.m. in a
random, double-blind, cross-over manner. Both clonidine doses decreased
plasma catecholamine concentrations (P < 0.01), but only the higher dose
of clonidine attenuated the CPT-induced absolute increase in plasma
catecholamine concentration compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01).
VO2 and AP decreased and were less after clonidine 4 micrograms kg-1 when
compared with clonidine 2 micrograms kg-1 and placebo (P < 0.05)
throughout the observation period. Thus, although clonidine 4 micrograms
kg-1 attenuated the catecholamine response, the increases in VO2 and AP in
response to CPT were similar in all groups.
CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Effect of clonidine on changes in plasma catecholamine concentrations and oxygen consumption caused by the cold pressor test
Department of Anaesthesiology, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?