The Effects of Dexamethasone (D) on Cardio-Pulmonary Status in Newborn Piglets with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)

Abstract 1930

To study the effects of D on cardiopulmonary status in MAS, 35 piglets were assigned to 3 groups: 1) saline control (C: 7); 2) MAS (13)(intratracheal bolus of 3 ml/kg of 20% suspension of human meconium) and 3) MAS+D (15)(0.25 mg/kg q.12.h. for 4 doses). A balloon thermodilution catheter was inserted to measure pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), wedge pressure and cardiac stroke volume (S.V.). MAS group had sign. higher mPAP, lower S.V. than C group. MAS+D group had sign. higher mPAP, mBP and higher S.V. than C group. MAS+D group also had lower PCO₂ than MAS group at 12-24 hr (26±5 vs 31±4 mmHg), d-2 (28±4 vs 36±5 mmHg) and d-3 (32±6 vs 37±4 mmHg). We concluded: MAS produced a sign. increase in mPAP and a decrease in stroke volume, indicating an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The use of D sign. increase SV, increase mPAP and mBP, and lower the PCO₂ values, suggesting an improvement in pulmonary blood flow. (Table)

Table 1 No caption available