Endotoxin shock with and without dexamethasone pretreatment in anaesthetized buffalo calves-II: Haemodynamics, acid-base and blood gas changes

In group A, endotoxin shock was induced in seven anaesthetized buffalo calves by injecting E. coli endotoxin @ 0.85 mg/kg (LD J by UV route. In another seven animals (group B) dexamethasone @ 4 mg/kg was administered 20 minutes prior to endotoxin shock In group A, significant decrease in heart rate and MAP values were observed throughout the post endotoxin period. CVP values, which increased immediately after endotoxin infusion, remained decreased throughout thepostendotoxinperiod i e. upto 4 hrs. Arterial blood pH and HCO' values remained insignificantly decreased throughout the observation period Marked arterial hypoxaemia was noticed during postendotoxin period ECG changes like third degree atrioventricular block, ventricular asystole were also noticed In dexamthasone pretreatedgroup (B), no protective effect on above said parameters was noticed except slight improvement in MAP values.