Korean J Anesthesiol.  1979 Dec;12(4):334-339.

Effect of Ketamine on the Cardiovascular System of Tortoises

• Song HS
• Kim TY
• Choe H
• Han YJ

Abstract

Effects of ketamine on the cardiovascular system of tortoises was observed in this study. Ketamine elevated blood pressure and increased contractile performance and heart rate of the tortoise's auricle. The hypertensive effect of ketamine was abolished by treatment with hexametbonium or Regitine, while increment of heart rate due to ketamine was not affected by treatment of hexamethonjum, Inderal, or Regitine. In vitro experiments, ketamine increased contractile performance and heart rate of the auricle. These effects of ketamine were not affected by Regitine, Inderal,cocaine, or reserpine pretreatment. Synergism of ketamine and norepinephrine was also observed. Low bath temperature did not influence the effects of ketamine but high bath temperature inhibited the effects of the drug. In the electrically stimulated preparations, field stimulation did not affect the chronotropic and inotropic effects of ketamir, but direct stimulation abolished these effects of the drug. From the above results, it is possible to say that ketamine probably has dual actions on the cardiovascular system of tortoises, i, e., hypertensive action due to stimulation of sympathetic nervous system, and chronotropic and inotropic actions due to direct stimulation of cardiac muscle.

MeSH Terms

Baths
Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular System*
Heart Rate
In Vitro Techniques
Ketamine*
Myocardium
Norepinephrine
Phentolamine
Propranolol
Reserpine
Sympathetic Nervous System
Ketamine
Norepinephrine
Phentolamine
Propranolol
Reserpine