[The effects of Akrinor on the extrathoracic capacitance vessels during extracorporeal circulation and on cardiac haemodynamics of anaesthetized man (author's transl)].

The circulatory effects of Akrinor were investigated in anaesthetized patients during extracorporeal circulation and following open heart surgery. Arterial pressure, cardiac index and the maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure increased, whereas the resistance to flow in both circuits and the cardiac filling pressures remained unchanged. The compliance of the extrathoracic capacitance vessels during extracorporeal circulation was unaltered compared with the control group, but the volume content was less after Akrinor (200 ml). If this volume is shifted to the intrathoracic compartment in the intact circulation, the amounts seems too small to explain the increase in cardiac index. This increase and the subsequent rise of the arterial pressure seemed to be due to increased myocardial contractility.