Effect of Catecholamines, l-Epinephrine and l-Norepinephrine on Coronary Flow and Oxygen Metabolism of the Myocardium

Abstract

The effect of continuously infused intravenous l-epinephrine and l-norepinephrine (0.1–2.5 gamma/kg/min.) was determined in the open-chest, anesthetized dog prepared for measurement of total coronary flow. Coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen availability and coronary venous oxygen content consistently increased after catecholamine administration despite wide fluctuations, above and below control values, in heart rate and mean aortic pressure at constant cardiac output. Thus, there was a significant decrease in the coronary arteriovenous oxygen difference after catecholamine administration. The increase in coronary flow and decrease in the coronary A-V oxygen difference were seen even when blood pressure and heart rate were lowered. It is concluded that the departure from the usual relationship between coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption is attributable to coronary vasodilatation. However, myocardial oxygen consumption is still the primary factor controlling coronary flow during catecholamine action.