Pharmacologic vasodilators in the coronary circulation

J. S. Schwartz, R. J. Bache

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pharmacologic vasodilators are used to treat hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and congestive heart failure. These drugs may indirectly affect coronary blood flow by their effects on the peripheral circulation, effects that modify myocardial oxygen demand. They also have direct effects on the coronary circulation, with some drugs affecting mainly the large epicardial coronary arteries and others affecting mainly the small resistance vessels. Some coronary stenoses are compliant and are capable of changes in caliber. Drugs that dilate large coronary arteries, such as nitroglycerin and the calcium channel-blocking agents, can dilate these stenotic segments. This dilation may contribute to the relief of myocardial ischemia by increasing coronary blood flow. Alternatively, drugs that dilate resistance vessels without an effect on large coronary arteries may cause passive narrowing or collapse of coronary stenoses and could potentially worsen myocardial ischemia. Therefore, in the presence of coronary stenoses, a vasodilator may be beneficial or harmful depending, at least in part, on the site of action of the drug in the coronary circulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)I-162-I-167
JournalCirculation
Volume75
Issue number1 II SUPPL. 1
StatePublished - 1987

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pharmacologic vasodilators in the coronary circulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this