Non-uniform myocardial blood flow caused by stellate ganglion stimulation

The blood flow through the anterior wall of the left ventricle has been studied during electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion of anesthetized dogs. The flow was continuously monitored by heated cross-thermocuple. Ganglion stimulation caused a significant increase in the flow through the outer half while producing relative ischemia of the inner half of the wall. Pretreatment with propranolol reduced regional difference of flow changes. Significantly augmented non-uniform flow changes, however, were produced by ganglion stimulation during hypertension caused by aortic constriction or by methoxamine. The results indicate non-uniform blood flow distribution which can be produced by sympathetic nerve excitation.