[Endogenous catecholamines and heart function in stimulation of the accelerator nerve]

The role of catecholamines in realization of the effects of the augmenting cardiac nerve has been studied during acute experiments on dogs anesthesized with hexenal. Activation of pump function and myocardial contractility during nerve stimulation has been shown to be in good agreement with the increased noradrenaline concentration in the coronary sinus blood. The synthesis of adrenaline has not been found to lag behind its consumption upon the exposure described. Nerve stimulation has led to accumulation of myocardial adrenaline which takes part in realization of a positive inotropic effect to a far less extent than noradrenaline, and exerts no adverse action on cardiac function.