Peripheral distribution of the increased cardiac output by secretin during acute ischemic left ventricular failure

Secretin, a 27-amino acid peptide with both vasodilating and inotropic properties, was investigated according to its effects on peripheral flow distribution in acute ischemic left ventricular failure accomplished by embolization of the left coronary artery in anesthetized dogs. Electromagnetic monitoring of renal, carotid, femoral and superior mesenteric artery flow was used. During the induction of heart failure a general reduction of flow with preponderance of that of the carotid and femoral arteries occurred. The secretin infusion caused increases in renal flow by 58%, carotid flow by 63%, femoral flow by 50% and superior mesenteric flow by 34%. The corresponding reductions in arterial resistances were 33, 35, 31 and 24%, respectively. Compared to levels before induction of failure, restoration of flow in all arteries as well as cardiac output was achieved, with exception of renal flow that was 25% higher. The arterial pressure was not altered and a modest inotropic effect of secretin was confirmed. It was concluded that in acute left ventricular failure secretin caused a general distribution of the increased cardiac output in the arteries investigated with a preponderance of renal artery flow.