Effects of Persantin (RA8), A New Coronary Vasodilator, on Coronary Blood Flow and Cardiac Dynamics in the Dog

Abstract

The effect of a new coronary vasodilator (Persantin), which produces a marked increase in coronary blood flow (up to 159 per cent in normal animals) without increasing cardiac contractility or cardiac work, has been studied in the experimental animal. This is associated with a marked decrease in coronary resistance. There is an increase in the coronary venous oxygen content and a decrease in the coronary A-V oxygen difference; the cardiac output is only slightly affected. Increase in the coronary blood flow has also been observed in dogs in which coronary in sufficiency has been produced by coronary ligation and by narrowing of the lumen of the coronary artery by the application of casein rings. This was accompanied by no significant increase in cardiac work.