Influence of cinepazide, a vasoactive substance, on canine coronary circulation after acute constriction of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

The left anterior descending coronary artery was variably constricted mechanically in nine dogs. Blood flow in the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex coronary arteries (CCA), aortic pressure and peripheral, i.e. post-stenotic coronary pressure were measured. Myocardial perfusion was determined from the clearance of radioactive xenon injected at a depth of 7 mm into the underperfused area supplied by the LAD artery. The vasoactive drug 1-(pyrrolidinyl-1-carbonyl)-methyl-4-(3,4,5-tri-methoxycinnamoyl)piperazine-maleate (cinepazide) was given at doses of 5-10 mg/kg by i.v. route. 1. Blood flow in the LAD was decreased stepwise to 50% of its initial value. There was practically no more coronary reserve. After drug injection, diastolic aortic pressure, that normally falls, was kept constant by clamping. Heart rate, perfusion pressure, post-stenotic pressure, and blood flow and resistance in the LAD showed practically no change. In the CCA, blood flow increased significantly (p less than 0.005) and flow resistance decreased (p less than 0.001). 133Xe clearance showed an increased myocardial perfusion (p less than 0.02) in the territory supplied by the LAD artery. 2. The lumen of the LAD was narrowed by 53%, i.e., coronary reserve was decreased. This constriction was followed by no haemodynamic reaction. After injection of cinepazide, mean and diastolic aortic pressure (p less than 0.02) and post-stenotic coronary pressure (p less than 0.005) decreased. Blood flow increased by 41% in the CCA and by 31% in the LAD. Coronary resistance in these vessels decreased (p less than 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). Here, too, the 133Xe clearance curve showed an increase in myocardial perfusion in the territory supplied by the LAD artery (+78%).