Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathies (abstract)

Authors: Pack RJ, Alley MR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 41, Issue 1, pp 45-46, Mar 1993
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Disease/defect, Cardiology, Muscle/myology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Research/development
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: The effects of high doses of the beta-2 agonists isoprenaline, salbutamol and fenoterol on the myocardium were studied experimentally in sheep. Each drug was given intravenously in progressively increasing doses to four sedated animals and four controls. The experiments were repeated during hypoxaemia and animals were necropsied 3 days later.
All four animals that received fenoterol showed left ventricular subendocardial haemorrhage and gross or microscopic multifocal myocardial necrosis of 3 days duration. One animal that received salbutamol and one receiving isoprenaline showed similar lesions. Recent focal contraction band necrosis and myodegeneration related to the second experiment were also seen in several animals.
These lesions are similar to those reported in humans in acute asthma-related mortalities, as well as following endogenous catecholamine release in a variety of stressful situations such as head trauma, assault, cocaine abuse and drowning. Similar lesions also occur in other species such as dogs, pigs and birds following episodes of severe physical stress. They are best demonstrated histologically in the subendocardial papillary muscle of the left ventricle.

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