Peripheral vasodilatation induced by a vasopressin analogue with selective V2-agonism in dogs

The selective V2-agonist 4-valine-8-D-arginine vasopressin (VDAVP) increases cardiac output and heart rate and decreases total peripheral resistance in dogs. The mechanism of these hemodynamic effects was examined in the present studies. When infused into the left coronary artery of six conscious dogs for 1 h, VDAVP (10 ng.kg-1.min-1) increased cardiac output and decreased total peripheral resistance more than when given intravenously in the same animals. Administration of VDAVP into the carotid circulation elicited effects that did not differ significantly from those after intravenous infusion at the same rate in six conscious dogs. After destruction of the central nervous system in five dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital, VDAVP failed to increase cardiac output and heart rate but lowered mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance. Finally, infusion of VDAVP into the femoral artery of six anesthetized dogs increased femoral blood flow at rates of 1, 5, and 10 ng.kg-1.min-1, whereas none of these rates increased femoral blood flow when given intravenously. Thus the hemodynamic effects of VDAVP appear to result primarily from a peripheral vasodilatory action, with possible contribution from a positive inotropic effect. We found no evidence that central effects of VDAVP were importantly involved in its cardiovascular action.