Effects of induced hypothermia on organ blood flow in a hibernator and a nonhibernator

Abstract

Regional blood flow and hemodynamic variables during induced hypothermia were compared in six guinea pigs and four hedgehogs. Tracer microspheres were used for blood flow measurements, since this technique is more accurate than the earlier method ( 86Rb + distribution) used for cardiac output distribution measurements in hibernators. Heart rate and blood pressure decreased with reduced temperature in a comparable fashion in the two species, while cardiac output was less affected in the hedgehogs than in the guinea pigs. Total peripheral resistance increased in both species. At 34 °C the hedgehogs had a higher myocardial blood flow per gram tissue than the guinea pigs and it was not reduced in the hedgehogs when the body temperature was lowered to 22 °C, whereas in the guinea pigs it was markedly reduced. The brown adipose tissue of the hedgehogs showed a fourfold increase in blood perfusion at 22 °C when compared with 34 °C. In the hedgehogs the fractional distribution of cardiac output to the myocardium increased with decreasing body temperature, while the renal fraction decreased. In the guinea pigs, on the other hand, the fractional distribution of cardiac output to the myocardium remained unchanged but increased to the kidneys.