Comparative effects of intracoronary vasodilators on restoring coronary perfusion during flow-reducing coronary stenosis in the dog

The effects of intracoronary injection of nitroglycerin, adenosine, nifedipine and prostacyclin on restoring coronary perfusion during flow-reducing partial coronary obstruction in anesthetized dogs were studied. Coronary obstruction was obtained by inflation of an intraluminal balloon to decrease coronary blood flow and rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) by approximately 30 to 40 and 10%, respectively. Nitroglycerin (0.01 to 10 micrograms/kg per min) increased coronary blood flow and distal coronary pressure and decreased stenosis resistance associated with improved left ventricular dP/dt depending on its dose. In contrast, adenosine (0.3 to 1.0 micrograms/kg per min) decreased coronary blood flow and distal coronary pressure and intensified stenosis resistance associated with depression of left ventricular dP/dt. Nifedipine and prostacyclin caused divergent effects on the coronary circulation related to each dose. Nifedipine (0.01 and 0.1 micrograms/kg per min) and prostacyclin (0.01 micrograms/kg per min) increased coronary blood flow and distal coronary pressure and reduced stenosis resistance. Nifedipine (1.0 micrograms/kg per min) and prostacyclin (0.3 micrograms/kg per min) did not increase coronary blood flow, but reduced distal coronary pressure and intensified stenosis resistance. Thus, the vasodilators produced different effects on restoration of coronary perfusion during pliable severe coronary stenosis. Nitroglycerin and lower doses of nifedipine and prostacyclin improved coronary perfusion due to selective or preferential dilation of large coronary arteries. Adenosine and higher doses of nifedipine and prostacyclin had deleterious effects on the coronary circulation due to potent arteriolar vasodilation.