Beagle puppy model of intraventricular hemorrhage: randomized indomethacin prevention trial

Abstract

The newborn beagle puppy has been demonstrated to provide a good model for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). By randomized computerized design, indomethacin, a known inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase, was administered to newborn beagle puppies, all of which underwent the experimental model of hemorrhagic hypotension followed by volume reexpansion for the production of IVH, to determine whether indomethacin can prevent intraventricular hemorrhage in this model. Nine percent of all pups receiving indomethacin experienced intraventricular hemorrhage, compared with 80% of animals who received the saline vehicle. In addition, significant alterations in the blood pressure responses to the hemorrhagic hypotension/volume reexpansion insult were noted in this group when compared with control animals.