Cholinergic Vasodilatation of Coronary Resistance Vessels in Dogs, Baboons and Goats

Abstract

Intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine produces a prompt increase in coronary blood flow in dogs, but a paradoxical decrease has been reported in baboons and cattle. The action of acetylcholine was reexamined in anesthetized dogs, baboons and goats, with the coronary circulation pump perfused at constant pressure and the heart rate held constant with electrical pacing. Intracoronary infusions of low doses of acetylcholine produced coronary vasodilatation and an increase in coronary venous oxygen tension without a change in cardiac contractility (dP/dt) or myocardial oxygen consumption in all three species. High doses of acetylcholine produced coronary vasodilatation only in dogs, but resulted in a decrease in cardiac contractility and myocardial oxygen consumption accompanied by a decrease in coronary flow in baboons and goats. It is concluded that low doses of acetylcholine produce coronary vasodilatation in all three species, and that the decrease in coronary blood flow observed in baboons and goats at high doses is probably due to local metabolic vasoconstriction secondary to the negative inotropic effects of acetylcholine.