Comparison of two types of nonbarbiturate anesthetics during endotoxemia in dogs.

In dogs anesthetized with etomidate (n = 8) or droperidol-methadone-atropine (n = 5), we measured before (t = 0) and after (t = 90 min) endotoxin (1.5 mg X kg-1 IV as a bolus) systemic and pulmonary blood pressures, cardiac output and its distribution (microspheres), blood gases, blood glucose, and lactate. The effects of endotoxin depended little on the type of anesthetic. The differences between the two groups were quantitative rather than qualitative. The influence of the type of anesthesia during endotoxin shock studies should thus not be overestimated.