TRAUMATIC SHOCK. IX. PRESSOR THERAPY: THE EFFECT OF PAREDRINE (p-Hydroxy-a-Methylphenylethylamine Hydrobromide) ON THE CIRCULATION IN HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK IN DOGS.

Vasoconstriction is a normal response to a fall in blood volume, but excessive vasoconstriction caused by pressor drugs, while it raises the arterial pressure, is considered to be undesirable because it decreases the already diminished flow through capillaries (1, 2). Pressor drugs are therefore said to be harmful in shock in which there is a diminished blood volume, although many physicians still regard them as beneficial. The aim of the present investigation was to inquire into the benefit or harmfulness of vasoconstriction consequent to pressor therapy by studying the effect of a pressor drug upon the circulation of unanesthetized animals in hemorrhagic shock. Paredrine (p-hydroxy-amethylphenylethylamine hydrobromide) was chosen because of its ability to raise arterial and venous blood pressure solely through vasoconstriction and because of its lack of effect on metabolic activity (3, 4).