APNEA, BRADYCARDIA AND HYPOTENSION IN RESPONSE TO SODIUM SALICYLATE IN THE CAT

¹ Department of Pharmacology, University of Utah College of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

Rapid intravenous injection of large doses of sodium salicylate (100 to 200 mg/kg) in the cat produces a vagally mediated reflex response which includes apnea, bradycardia, and hypotension. The primary receptors for both respiratory and cardiovascular portions of the response are located within the pulmonary circuit. Secondary participation in the reflex response of receptors in the systemic circuit is also indicated. A similarity exists between the response produced by hyperosmotic solutions of sodium salicylate and sodium chloride. The osmolarity of the salicylate solution, however, contributes only slightly to its over-all effect.