Selective vasoconstriction by alniditan in the carotid vascular bed of anaesthetized dogs.

In anaesthetized dogs, alniditan or (-)-(R)-N-[3,4-dihydro-2H-1- benzopyran-2-yl)methyl]-N'-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1,3- propanediamine dihydrochloride, a new compound with 5-HT1-like receptor ligand effects, dose dependently (0.63-80 micrograms/kg i.v.) reduced common carotid arterial blood flow with comparatively little effect on other cardiovascular variables including coronary, mesenteric and renal arterial blood flow, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance and airway resistance. The potency of alniditan was higher than that of sumatriptan and comparable to that of ergotamine (dose producing a 50% reduction: alniditan = 5.1 micrograms/kg i.v.; sumatriptan = 13.1 micrograms/kg i.v.; ergotamine = 4.6 micrograms/kg i.v.; median values). The reduction of carotid arterial blood flow by alniditan was accompanied by an increase of carotid arterial vascular resistance and correlated with the increase of the difference in oxygen saturation between arterial and jugular venous blood, suggesting a preferential reduction of extracerebral shunt flow by the compound via constriction of arteriovenous anastomoses in the carotid vascular region. The extent and duration of carotid arterial blood flow reductions after alniditan at 5 micrograms/kg i.v. were similar to those after sumatriptan 15 micrograms/kg i.v. but larger/longer after alniditan at 15 micrograms/kg i.v. than after sumatriptan at 15 micrograms/kg i.v. The dose-dependent increase of carotid arterial vascular resistance by alniditan was similar in dogs premedicated daily for 4 days with solvent or active compound (20 micrograms/kg i.v.), indicating absence of tolerance or resetting of sensitivity to the compound.

Comparative effects of R 80122, enoximone, and milrinone on left ventricular phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in vitro and on contractility of normal and stunned myocardium in vivo in dogs.

Using different subtypes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes isolated from canine left ventricle, we identified R 80122, a 1,2,3,5-tetrahydro2-oxoimidazo[2,1-b]quinazoline derivative that was a more selective and potent inhibitor of PDE type III than milrinone or enoximone. Such substances improve cardiac contraction and relaxation, elicit vasodilation, and increase cardiac output (CO). To determine the extent to which these compounds affect the contractile force of stunned myocardium, the effects of enoximone, milrinone, and R 80122 on cardiac function were compared in anesthetized dogs subjected to 15-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion, and treated beginning 30 min after reperfusion, with the compound being studied. During occlusion, all dogs exhibited passive systolic ventricular wall bulging in the ischemic area. Thirty minutes after reperfusion, systolic wall thickening was significantly decreased in the reperfused LAD segments and remained low (at 36% of baseline) in control animals. After enoximone administration, global left ventricular (LV) function was improved with i.v. doses greater than or equal to 0.64 mg/kg. Systolic wall thickening in the ischemic myocardium was restored less than or equal to 70% of baseline at 1.25 mg/kg i.v., but this dose also induced a marked decrease in arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate (HR). Milrinone and R 80122 significantly increased global LV function and systolic wall thickening in ischemic areas at doses greater than or equal to 0.16 mg/kg i.v. At the highest doses, HR increased slightly with both compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiac and hemodynamic effects of intravenous R 80122, a new phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, in anesthetized and awake dogs.

R 80122 is a newly synthesized, selective phosphodiesterase III inhibitor. The cardiac and hemodynamic effects of this compound following intravenous administration were studied in closed-chest anesthetized as well as in conscious chronically instrumented dogs. The findings in the closed-chest anesthetized dogs indicate that R 80122 has positive inotropic and possibly moderate vasodilating properties [maximum increase in LV dp/dtmax/pd: 61%, and maximum decrease in systemic vascular resistance: 29% (a 12.5% decrease for the solvent)]. As a result, cardiac output maximally increased to 149% of the control value. The most striking effect of R 80122 was its positive lusitropic effect (maximal decrease in the time constant of relaxation [T] of 46%). This pronounced lusitropic effect of R 80122 can be regarded as beneficial, because of the increasing evidence that lusitropic defects play an important role in disorders related to heart failure. These effects of R 80122 were associated with only slight changes in arterial blood pressure. The effects of R 80122 lasted about 75 min after stopping the infusion. No ventricular arrhythmias were noted during and after infusion of the compound. The positive inotropic effects seen in anesthetized dogs were confirmed in conscious nonsedated dogs. It may be concluded that R 80122 has a clinically favorable cardiovascular profile for acute applications in heart failure, because its combined positive inotropic and positive lusitropic effects, and moderate vasodilating properties lead to a pronounced increase in cardiac output and only minimal changes in aortic blood pressure.

Cardiovascular and some respiratory effects of high doses of alfentanil in dogs.

The cardiovascular and some respiratory effects of alfentanil, a potent and short-acting morphinomimetic, were studied in conscious (n = 6) and anaesthetized, artificially ventilated dogs (n = 7). The compound was injected intravenously in increasing doses of 12.5, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 micrograms X kg-1 in the conscious dogs and of 0.16, 0.32, 0.64, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg X kg-1 in the anaesthetized animals. In the conscious dogs, the heart rate decreased significantly reaching a maximum decrease after the injection of 400 micrograms X kg-1 X PCO2 and arterial and venous lactate concentrations increased, while PO2, pH and base excess decreased significantly. At higher dose levels (100-400 micrograms X kg-1) short periods of convulsions were seen. The most pronounced change in the anaesthetized dogs was a significant fall in LVdP/dt max and LV dP/dt max/P, associated with a rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure following the injection of 5 mg X kg-1, suggesting negative inotropic properties at this high dose level. Most of the animals showed A-V dissociations which disappeared at higher doses. All animals survived. These findings indicate that alfentanil is a safe analgesic as far as the effects on the cardiovascular system are concerned. High doses are tolerated well, especially when the animals are artificially ventilated. The short periods of convulsions, seen only in the awake dogs, may have been facilitated by the low PO2 levels reached (median value: 9 kPa).

A chronically implantable catheter-tip micromanometer (JSI 0400) that can be calibrated after implantation.

This paper describes a catheter-tip micromanometer for chronic left ventricular pressure measurements which can be calibrated in the animal after implantation. The calibration curves are linear, both in vitro and in vivo. Good zero-stability is reached after 1 week of implantation. The duration of function of the device is 3 to 6 months.