HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS PYRUVATE IN THE INTACT, ANESTHETIZED DOG

Objectives: There is evidence from human studies that pyruvate improves skeletal muscle endurance, and from isolated heart preparations that pyruvate is a positive inotrope. We examined the hemodynamic effects of intrave nous pyruvate in an intact, anesthetized dog preparation in order to test its effects in an intact animal. Our hypothesis was that pyruvate is a positive inotrope in the intact dog. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting: Animal laboratory. Subjects: Ten mongrel dogs. Interventions: Two groups of animals were anesthetized with chloralose and urethane, mechanically ventilated, and hemodynamically monitored. The experimental group (n = 6) received an infusion of calcium pyruvate and sodium pyruvate, while the control group (n = 4) received an infusion of calcium chloride and sodium chloride. Measurements and Main Results: The intravenous infusion of calcium and sodium pyruvate resulted in increased cardiac output, left ventricular contractility, and mixed venous oxygen saturation values in the experimental group compared with the control group of four dogs. There were no significant detrimental effects except an increase in the mean serum calcium concentrations in both groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that intravenous pyruvate may be a useful in vivo positive inotrope.