Effects of intra-arterial ethanol in cardiogenic shock

Unanaesthetized mongrel dogs in cardiogenic shock received a 30-min intra-arterial infusion of 1.9 g/kg of 40% ethanol. Alcohol produced significant vasodilatation and improvements in the mean blood pressure and cardiac output. Arterial pH and the arteriovenous oxygen difference were markedly reduced, and the blood glucose concentration was significantly increased. Despite a considerable reduction in serum CPK levels, survival was not improved by ethanol.