Abstract:

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of continuous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or remifentanil on nasal mucosal blood flow in rabbits. MethodsTwenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the S group SNPinfusion (n=10) and the R group remifentanil infusion (n=10). After the anesthesia model of rabbit was established, SNP was infused in the S group and remifentanil was infused in R group. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), common carotid artery blood flow (CABF) and nasal mucosal blood flow (NBF) were measured during each period before and during infusion of SNP or remifentanil. ResultsIn the R group, MAP, HR and CABF showed a mild decrease during infusion remifentanil, and NBF showed a significant decrease in the R group（P<0.05）. In the S group, MAP and CABF showed a significant decrease during infusion SNP（P<0.05）, whereas, HR and NBF showed a significant increase in the S group（P<0.05）. The decreases in MAP measured as percent change were greater in the S group than in the R group. But the increases in NBF measured as percent change were greater in the S group than in the R group（P<0.05）. A significant negative correlation was observed between MAP and NBF in the S group（P<0.05）, however, little correlation was observed between MAP and NBF in the R group. In both groups, the correlation between MAP and NBF was not significant（P>0.05）. ConclusionInfusion of remifentanil reduces NBF, without a major decrease in MAP and CABF and may be safer and more effective in endoscopic sinus surgery.

Key words: Sodium nitroprusside; Remifentanil; Nasal mucosa1 blood flow; Common carotid artery blood flow