Alterations in systemic and local colonic hemodynamic variables associated with intravenous infusion of ATP-MgCl2 in healthy anesthetized horses.

The study focuses on the effects of intravenous ATP-MgCl2 on systemic and local colonic hemodynamics in healthy anesthetized horses. The research provides findings suggesting that ATP-MgCl2 might help maintain colonic blood flow in horses with gastrointestinal ischemia.

Methodology

• The study made use of 12 adult horses. Half of this group was administered ATP-MgCl2 intravenously while the remainder received equivalent volumes of saline solution.
• The ATP-MgCl2 dosage began at 0.1 mg/kg of body weight per minute and gradually increased until it reached 1.0 mg/kg per minute.
• Systemic and local colonic hemodynamic variables and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the colonic plasma were measured before, during, and after the infusion.

Results

• The infusion of ATP-MgCl2 led to a rate-dependent decrease in systemic and colonic vascular resistance. This was primarily a result of its vasodilatory effects.
• A dosage of 0.3 mg of ATP/kg per min significantly reduced systemic and colonic arterial pressure and colonic vascular resistance. Despite this, there was no notable decrease in the blood flow in the colonic artery.
• There was no noticeable change in the nitric oxide concentrations in the plasma obtained from the colonic vasculature, even with significant vasodilation of the colonic arterial vasculature.

Conclusion

• The observations suggest that intravenous infusion of ATP-MgCl2 could enhance the maintenance of colonic perfusion in horses suffering from ischemia of the gastrointestinal tract.
• The study makes it clear that a sufficient pressure gradient must exist to sustain blood flow for this potential benefit to be realized.