Increased in blood flow to ischemic myocardium caused by a new dopamine analog

In the anesthetized, open-chest dog, intravenous infusion 8-13 microgram . kg-1. min-1) of a new dopamine analog 5,6-dihydroxy-2-methylaminotetralin hydrobromide (M-8) demonstrated potent coronary vasodilator properties. Blood flow to normal myocardium was increased an average of 53% above control flow values and this was associated with a decrease in coronary vascular resistance of 50%. The increase in blood flow was distributed uniformly to all portions of the myocardium (left ventricular free wall, right ventricular free wall, and septum). Subendocardial/subepicardial (endo/epi) flow ratios of the left ventricle, right ventricle, and septum were not significantly changed from control. In dog hearts subjected to acute, sudden occlusion of portions of the left anterior branch of the left coronary artery, M-8 produced a 93% increase in flow to the whole heart over postocclusion flow values. Flow to tissues of the heart made ischemic by the occlusive procedure in creased by an average of 94% during M-8 administration despite the fact that the occlusive ligatures remained in place. The vasodilation produced by M-8 was accompanied by a 22-24% increase in myocardial capillary surface area available for exchange of lipid-insoluble substances, fructose and sucrose. Hemodynamic changes associated with M-8 include a transient decrease in aortic pressure, but no change in heart rate, left ventricular (dP/dt)/P, or central venous pressure. Propranolol blocked the vasodilator activity of M-8. It was concluded that M-8 is a beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist having potent coronary vasodilator properties which also has the ability to open preexisting collateral blood flow channels and provide nutritive flow to ischemic, marginally ischemic, and normal myocardium. The cardiovascular actions of M-8 increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the myocardium while decreasing the work and oxygen utilization by the heart, suggesting that it may have important antianginal characteristics.