Angiotensin II blockade in existing hypovolemia: Effects of candesartan in the porcine splanchnic and renal circulation

Angiotensin II (AngII) is an important vasoconstrictor during hypovolemia. This study focused on the effects of the AngII receptor blocker candesartan on intestinal, hepatic, and renal hemodynamics during severe hypovolemia when administered in preexisting moderate hypovolemia. It was hypothesized that specific AngII receptor blockade might enhance splanchnic perfusion during hypovolemia. Fasted, anesthetized, ventilated, juvenile pigs were hemorrhaged by 20% of the blood volume for 30 min. Animals were then randomized to receive candesartan (CAND, n = 11) or the vehicle (CTRL, n = 10) prior to further hemorrhage to 40% of the blood volume for 30 min. The shed blood was then retransfused. Systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics were recorded including intestinal mucosal, superficial and parenchymal hepatic, and cortical and medullary renal microcirculation by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Arterial blood gases were analysed. Candesartan-treated animals maintained mesenteric and jejunal mucosal perfusion during 40% hypovolemia compared to CTRL animals, while no differences were observed in the hepatic and renal circulation. Retransfusion restored mesenteric and renal blood flows despite persistent hypotension and reduced cardiac output in both CAND and CTRL animals. Renal medullary and hepatic parenchymal micro-circulation failed to recover during retransfusion in both CAND and CTRL animals. Arterial acidosis, hypercarbia, and a negative base excess were observed in CTRL animals following retransfusion whereas those parameters were normalised in CAND animals. Administration of candesartan in moderate hypovolemia ameliorated the reduction and consequences of mesenteric and intestinal, but not hepatic perfusion during severe hypovolemia. No adverse effects were observed in the renal circulation.