The haemodynamic and metabolic effects of tolmesoxide with special reference to impaired myocardial function

The haemodynamic, metabolic and regional blood flow effects of the vasodilator, tolmesoxide (1 mg kg-1 min-1 for 20 min by intravenous infusion) were examined in two groups of greyhound dogs anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and mechanically ventilated. One group of dogs was thoracotomized and subjected to acute coronary artery occlusion. In these dogs tolmesoxide was infused 2.5 h after occlusion when there was evidence of impaired myocardial function. Tolmesoxide administration resulted in marked systemic hypotension which was associated with myocardial stimulation (increase in heart rate and LVdP/dtmax). These effects were less marked in thoracotomized dogs subjected to coronary artery occlusion. Cardiac stimulation was attenuated by pretreatment with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol. Peripheral resistance and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were reduced by tolmesoxide. In spite of the systemic hypotension, the marked reduction in LVEDP resulted in an enhanced subendocardial driving pressure and an increased blood flow to ischaemic regions of the left ventricular wall as measured with Xe133 clearance. Blood flow to normal regions of the left ventricular wall was also increased by tolmesoxide. A metabolic and respiratory acidosis may have contributed to the haemodynamic effects of tolmesoxide. Plasma renin levels were significantly elevated by the drug. Tolmesoxide administration thus resulted in cardiac stimulation, reduced both pre-load and after-load, yet maintained coronary and pulmonary perfusion. This haemodynamic profile of tolmesoxide would explain the beneficial effects obtained with this drug in the treatment of cardiac failure.