EFFECTS OF ANESTHESIA, OF ALPHA-ADRENERGI C AND BETA-ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS IN CONSCIOUS AND OF EPINEPHRINE IN ANESTHETIZED HALOTHANE-SENSITIVE PIGS ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN BLOOD DURING HALOTHANE EXPOSITION

The halothane test was performed under different conditions in 10 halo thane-sensitive growing pigs (Landrace, line 01). Haematological and m etabolic changes in blood were monitored during the handling of the pi gs before the test, during the exposure to halothane and thereafter. A lready in connection with the catching and fixation of the pigs, the l evels of haemoglobin in blood, and of glucose, lactate and potassium i n plasma increased significantly. However, the concentration of glycer ol was not raised before the occurrence of the malignant hyperthermia. While the level of potassium decreased already from the beginning of the halothane exposure until the development of symptoms, the values o f haemoglobin, glucose and lactate continued to increase. The level of the free fatty acids did not show any changes during the experimental period. An infusion of phentolamine reduced the increase of haemoglob in and potassium and an infusion of propranolol reduced the increase o f haemoglobin and glycerol significantly, without any effect on the re sult of the halothane test. By an anaesthesia, starting 30 minutes bef ore the exposure to halothane, the development of the typical halothan e reaction was obviated for at least 10 minutes. Observed metabolic ch anges during a simultaneous epinephrine administration were exclusivel y due to its adrenergic effects.