Effects of anaesthesia on regional coronary control mechanisms

1. The regional coronary circulation is under the control of local metabolic and myogenic factors, but is also influenced by autonomic systems, including sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. 2. General anaesthetic agents influence not only local control through changes in metabolic demand, but also neural control through suppression of autonomic influence. 3. Anaesthetic agents have differing effects on reflex control systems, which are dependent on coronary territory and ventricular rate. 4. Effects of anaesthesia should be taken into account when interpreting results in anaesthetized models of coronary control.