Etilefrine is a sympathomimetic amine with high affinity for β1-receptors and low
affinity for α- and β2-receptors. Foliowing vascular reconstructions in 38 patients
the effect of intravenously administered etilefrine on cardiac output, mean systemic
blood pressure, blood flow and vascular resistance of the carotid, subclavian, mesenteric,
iliac and femoral arteries was studied intraoperatively. Cardiac output and the mean
systemic blood pressure were significantly increased. The blood flow was increased
in all the arterial beds studied but most pronouncedly in the subclavian and iliac
arteries' distribution. The peripheral vascular resistance was considerably decreased
for the subclavian, iliac and femoral arteries' regions of supply but unchanged or
increased for those of the carotid and mesenteric arteries. This discrepancy may be
explained by the different effects of etilefrine on the vascular resistance of parenchymatous
and of muscular regions, but it is also possible that the effect of etilefrine on
the blood flow to the intestines and brain is counteracted by autoregulation.
Etilefrine - Blood flow - Interna carotid artery - Subclavian artery - Superior mesenteric
artery - Iliac artery - Femoral artery
