Effects of beta-receptor blockade on regional blood flows during acute left ventricular failure in dogs

This study describes the effects of beta-receptor blockade on systemic hemodynamics and regional blood flows during acute ischemic heart failure in dogs. Depression of left ventricular (LV) function was induced by embolization of the left main coronary artery and was evidenced by a significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and decrease in LV dP/dtmax and in cardiac output. Measurements of femoral, renal, mesenteric, and carotid blood flows showed a redistribution of cardiac output during failure. Femoral blood flow decreased to a greater extent than did cardiac output, carotid blood flow decreased in proportion to cardiac output, whereas mesenteric and renal blood flows were moderately reduced in relation to the decrease in cardiac output. Administration of 0.125 mg of propranolol intravenously (i.v.) significantly decreased the performance of the failing left ventricle. Reductions in cardiac output were accompanied by reductions in the peripheral circulations. The decrease in flow was evenly distributed in the femoral, mesenteric, and carotid vascular beds, while there was a relative preservation of renal blood flow. When the dose of propranolol was increased to 0.5 mg/kg, there were no further significant hemodynamic alterations.