1972 Volume 13 Issue 6 Pages 502-511
Effect of pentaerythritol-tetranitrate on the regional blood flow through the anterior wall of the left ventricle has been studied using anes-thetized dogs. The flow was continuously monitored by heated cross-thermocouple.
In the absence of coronary constriction, systemic administration of the agent in doses varying from 0.3 to 3μg./Kg. produced a transient increase in the flow through the outer half, with relative ischemia in the inner half of the ventricular wall.
During constriction of the anterior descending branch, the injections of the agent produced a decrease in the flow through both halves of the wall when the pressure difference between the constricted and non-con-stricted coronary artery was below 60mm.Hg. In the outer half, the decrease lasted more than 5min.
Over 60mm.Hg, the injections caused an increase in the flow through the inner half, with a decrease in the flow through the outer half.
The results illustrate the non-uniform changes of myocardial blood flow which can be produced by systemic administration of pentaerythritol-tetranitrate.
