Studies on the hemodynamic effects of intravenous GIK (Glucose-Insulin-Kalium) infusion in the calves with total artificial heart and natural intact heart

Abstract

We have performed a comparative study on the effects of intravenous GIK (Glucose-Insulin-Kalium) infusion by hemodynamic investigations mainly on cardiac output, administering GIK to 3 calves with total artificial heart implantation and 3 calves with natural heart. The dosis of GIK infused was 20% glucose; 5ml kg, K; 0.2mEq/kg and Regular insulin; 0.6units/kg.
We have obtained the following conclusions. 1) The aortic pressure and cardiac output were significantly increased by intravenous infusion of GIK in the calves with intact natural heart. 2) No significant hemodynamic changes were observed by intravenous infusion GIK in the calves with total artificial heart replaced. 3) Consequently the hemodynamic effect of GIK was proved mainly due to the mechanism directly activated on the natural heart.