C型利钠利尿肽对犬冠脉循环的作用

Ｃ型利钠利尿肽（ＣＮＰ）是新近发现的一种由内皮细胞分泌的利钠利尿肽,本研究采用冠脉内给药方法对比观察了ＣＮＰ、心房利钠尿肽（ＡＮＰ）对犬正常及心肌缺血后冠脉循环的作用,并应用常规离体血管灌流的方法测定了离体冠脉对ＣＮＰ、ＡＮＰ的舒张反应。结果显示：（１）对正常犬,ＣＮＰ、ＡＮＰ均可降低平均动脉压（ＭＡＰ）、远端小冠脉压和大、小冠脉阻力,增加冠脉流量,而不影响心率;（２）心肌缺血后,ＣＮＰ的上述作用依然存在,但ＡＮＰ降低ＭＡＰ的作用基本消失。（３）离体心外膜冠状动脉对ＣＮＰ、ＡＮＰ均呈剂量依赖性舒张反应。结果提示ＣＮＰ、ＡＮＰ均可舒张冠状动脉而改善冠脉循环,并可能对急性心肌缺血的治疗有益     

The hypothetical role of potassium conductance on the genesis of R-wave amplitude increase during ischemia in the isolated rat heart.

The effect of increased potassium conductance on the genesis of R-wave amplitude increase during acute myocardial ischemia has been studied in the isolated perfused rat heart by simultaneously recording the R-wave amplitude of epicardial electrograms (VEE), heart rate (HR), coronary flow rate (CFR), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP). The experiments were performed during basal and partial or total ischemic conditions at spontaneous or fixed HR. In some experiments, potassium conductance was increased by means of high-calcium (8 mM) or acetylcholine chloride (10(-6) M) perfusion. In the control experiments, partial ischemic perfusion produced an increase in VEE and LVDP and a decrease in HR, CFR, and LVSP; total ischemic perfusion exaggerated these variations. High-calcium perfusion provoked an increase in VEE and LVDP and a decrease in HR, CFR, and LVSP during basal conditions (p less than 0.01 vs. control experiment); these modifications increased progressively during partial ischemic perfusion (p less than 0.01 vs. control experiment) and during total ischemic perfusion (p less than 0.01 vs. control experiment). Perfusion with acetylcholine chloride produced variations similar to those observed in high-calcium solution except that LVDP under basal conditions remained unchanged from control. When the HR was maintained at a constant value by means of atrial pacing the results were similar to those observed in the unpaced hearts. In conclusion, in the isolated perfused rat heart, increasing potassium conductance may influence the genesis of R-wave amplitude increasing during acute myocardial ischemia.     

Effects of ischemia on epicardial deformation in the passive rabbit heart

BACKGROUND: Surgically induced ischemia in the arrested heart can result in changes in the mechanical properties of the myocardium. Regions of ischemia may be characterized based on the amount of epicardial deformation for a given load. Computer aided speckle interferometry (CASI), which tracks the movement of clusters of particles, is developed as a technique for measuring epicardial deformation, thereby determining the perfusion status of the passive heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silicone carbide particles and retroreflective beads were dispersed randomly onto the epicardial surface of 11 isolated rabbit hearts to form speckle images. The hearts were arrested with hyperkalemic Krebs-Henseleit buffered solution. Each heart was then exposed to a series of intracavitary pressures, and at each pressure speckle images were acquired with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Nine hearts were exposed to global ischemia, and two hearts were exposed to regional ischemia by occluding the second diagonal branch of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The hearts were again loaded and the speckle images were acquired. CASI was used to determine the distribution of deformation field. RESULTS: CASI was able to determine displacements with a spatial resolution of about 50 microns. Global ischemia resulted in a significant increase in the maximum principle strain and the first invariant of the 2-D strain tensor. In the regionally ischemic heart, a large difference in deformation between the ischemic and perfused regions was clearly observed. CONCLUSION: Based on epicardial deformation, CASI is able to distinguish between perfused and ischemic myocardium, with a spatial resolution of 50 microns.     

Retrograde coronary venous perfusion at low pressure

The effectiveness of localized retrograde coronary venous perfusion (RCVP) in preventing or reversing myocardial ischemia after acute ligation of a coronary artery is described. Ten domestic pigs (Group I) underwent aorto left anterior coronary vein grafting with RCVP at systemic pressure. In another set of ten pigs (Group II), the coronary vein was similarly grafted, but the proximal end of the graft was perfused with oxygenated blood by means of an external pump at reduced pressure and flow. In both groups, RCVP successfully reversed the mechanical or electrical effects produced by 2 to 5 minutes of acute arterial ligation. After several hours, Group I animals showed evidence of acute ischemia and developing infarction. Group II animals, however, were maintained for 7 hours or more with regional RCVP and no evidence of ischemia. Retrograde coronary venous perfusion at reduced pressure may be more effective than perfusion at systemic pressure in providing myocardial blood flow.     

Cardiac anaphylaxis in isolated guinea pig hearts perfused at constant flow or constant pressure

Acute responses to antigen-antibody interactions (anaphylactic reactions) in isolated guinea pig hearts are reported to include decreases in coronary flow, increases in heart rate, prolongation of impulse propagation, development of arrhythmias, and transient increases followed by substantial decreases in ventricular contractile force. It is not clear from these studies, however, whether all of the changes are direct effects of the mediators released by the antigen-antibody reaction or whether some of them are indirect results of the severe reduction in flow evoked by coronary vasoconstriction. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess cardiac anaphylactic events in isolated hearts of guinea pigs passively sensitized with IgG antibody to ovalbumin under conditions in which coronary perfusion pressure was maintained constant and to compare the responses to those of hearts in which coronary flow was maintained at a constant rate. Our data indicate that when coronary flow decreased during anaphylaxis (constant pressure perfusion), hearts responded to antigen challenge with greater prolongation of the PR interval, duration of arrhythmias, suppression of left ventricular systolic pressure, and release of histamine and adenosine plus inosine into the venous effluent than when coronary flow was maintained during anaphylaxis (constant flow perfusion). The data suggest that maintenance of coronary flow during cardiac anaphylaxis may attenuate the severity of the functional derangement.     

Effects of ischemia on the metabolism of cardiac enkephalins

The effect of ischemia on cardiac Leucine enkephalin (Leu-enk) content, degradation and coronary release was studied in the isolated perfused hearts of male Sprague Dawley rats. Hearts were electrically stimulated at 180 beats/min. Cardiac Leu-enk concentrations were increased when hearts were perfused (635 +/- 41 vs 301 +/- 60 fmol/g in control non-perfused hearts,) or during ischemia-reperfusion (520 +/- 78 vs 277 +/- 42 fmol/g in heart submitted to ischemia alone). The quantity of leucine-enkephalin released by the heart during perfusion was four times higher than the initial content measured in the heart tissue. The rate of this release was the same throughout the experiment (25.9 +/- 2.9 fmol/min/g during perfusion vs. 19.2 +/- 1.6 during ischemia-reperfusion). These findings suggested that cardiac enkephalin metabolism is regulated by cardiac events. In fact, enzymes involved in enkephalin degradation were decreased during perfusion (39%) and increased during ischemia (50%). The decrease in the enzyme activity during coronary perfusion depended on a reduced activity in the membrane fraction only while membrane and soluble fractions were interested in the increased enzyme activity after ischemia. Ischemia-reperfusion induced a larger release of Leu-enk than perfusion without ischemia. In view of the protective actions of enkephalin peptides against oxidative stress, we can infer from our results an implication of Leu-enk in ischemia-reperfusion and thus eventually in preconditioning phenomenon.     

不同温度“钾维普”停搏对幼大鼠心功能的影响

目的：探讨未成熟缺血心脏“钾维普”停搏保护的适宜温度。方法：离体幼大鼠心脏Langendorff法灌流,分5组（n=6—8）。对照组：360C正常灌流170min;36℃（常温）组：正常灌流20rain,灌“钾维普”停搏液（KVe）3min停灌87min（常温停搏90rain）,恢复正常灌流（复灌）60min;32、28、24℃（低温）组：正常灌流15min,5min内分别降温至32、28、24℃,灌KVP3rain停灌87min（低温停搏90min）,复灌60min。实验过程实时监测心率（h／min）、心肌张力（g）、收缩力（g）、最大收缩速度（dr／dtmax）、最大舒张速度（-dT／dtmax）及冠脉流量（drop/min）反映心功能。结果：与对照组相比,各组KVP停搏50min后心脏张力均增高;与低温停搏相比,常温停搏的心脏不良挛缩迟缓、复灌后心脏张力、心率、收缩力、冠脉流量恢复好（P〈0．05）。结论：未成熟缺血心脏常温“钾维普”停搏保护效果优于低温停搏。     

Vagal inhibitory effects on peripheral circulation in acute coronary occlusion.

The reflex adjustments of the peripheral circulation in response to acute coronary occlusion were studied in anesthetized dogs with isolated vascular beds perfused at constant flow. Coronary occlusion caused significant increases in perfusion pressure which averaged 27 +/- 4 mmHg in the hindlimb, 19 +/- 8 mmHg in skeletal muscle, and 13 + 5 mmHg in the mesenteric artery. These responses were less than half those caused by a similar decrease in aortic pressure obtained with hemorrhage. Coronary occlusion caused no significant changes in renal and paw circulations, while marked vasoconstriction resulted from hemorrhage. When aortic pressure was maintained constant throughout the duration of coronary occlusion, there was a significant vasodilatation in all beds studied. After vagotomy, coronary occlusion caused a constrictor response similar in magnitude to that caused by hemorrhage in each vascular bed and the dilator responses to occlusion at constant aortic pressure were abolished. Both constrictor and dilator changes were prevented by alpha-adrenergic blockade. Mechanical distension of the left ventricle in four dogs with carotid sinus nerves cut caused a significant reflexdilatation in the hindlimb. Thus, coronary occlusion initiates an inhibitory reflex mediated by vagal afferents which opposes peripheral vasoconstriction most effectively in the renal and paw circulations.     

Effects of genetic deletion of angiotensin-(1-7) receptor Mas on cardiac function during ischemia/reperfusion in the isolated perfused mouse heart

In this study we investigated the role of Mas on cardiac function during ischemia/reperfusion in isolated perfused mouse heart. Following a stabilization period of 30 min, hearts from WT and Mas KO mice were subjected to global ischemia. After 20 min of ischemia, the flow was restarted and the hearts were reperfused for 30 min. An additional group of WT mice was perfused with solution containing the Ang-(1-7) receptor Mas antagonist A-779. Isolated heart of Mas KO and WT treated with A-779 presented an increase in the perfusion pressure in the baseline period. This difference increased with 5 min of reperfusion reaching similar values to baseline period at the end of the reperfusion. Isolated hearts of Mas KO and WT treated with A-779 also presented a decreased systolic tension, +/-dT/dt, and HR. Upon global ischemia WT hearts showed a significant decrease in systolic tension and an increase in diastolic tension. During reperfusion an increase in systolic and diastolic tension was observed in WT mice. Deletion or blockade of Mas markedly attenuated these changes in isolated hearts. These results indicate that Mas plays an important role in cardiac function during ischemia/reperfusion which is in keeping with the cardiac and coronary effects previously described for Ang-(1-7).     

The Protective Effect of Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive K<Superscript>+</Superscript> Channel Opener,Nicorandil, Combined With Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Exchange Blocker KB-R7943 on Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Rat

To study the protective effect of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel (mitoK_ATP channel) opener, nicorandil, combined with Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange blocker KB-R7943 on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts; the isolated rat heart was perfused by modified Langendorff device, after 15-min balanced perfusion, 45-min ischemia (about left and right coronary perfusion flow reduced to 5% of the original irrigation flow), and 2-h reperfusion were performed. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, nicorandil group, KB-R7943 group, and the combination of nicorandil and KB-R7943 group. After 45-min ischemia and then 2-h reperfusion, the myocardial infarct size was 34.31% in control group, 26.35% in nicorandil group, 28.74% in KB-R7943 group, and 19.23% in combination of nicorandil and KB-R7943 group. SOD activity in coronary perfusion fluid was the highest in the combination of nicorandil and KB-R7943 group, and MDA content was the lowest. In the combination drug group compared with the control group, myocardial ultrastructural injury was significantly reduced. The combination of nicorandil and KB-R7943 significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, significantly reduced myocardial ultrastructural damage, could increase coronary perfusion fluid SOD activity, and reduced MDA levels.     

Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias are not prevented by ibuprofen in isolated rat heart

Free radicals have been implicated in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and the cyclooxygenase pathways has been suggested as a potential source. We have therefore assessed whether a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, is able to reduce reperfusion-induced injury in the isolated perfused rat heart. A duration of 10 min of regional ischemia, which resulted in a high (83%) incidence of ventricular fibrillation, was selected and hearts (n = 12/group) were perfused with ibuprofen (2, 20, or 30 mg/L) throughout the experiment. Ibuprofen did not affect heart rate, although it did produce a dose-dependent increase in coronary flow. However, at all doses studied, ibuprofen had no effect upon the time to onset, incidence, or duration of arrhythmias. In subsequent studies with 30 min of regional ischemia, ibuprofen (30 mg/L) again caused vasodilatation but without effect upon heart rate or severity of arrhythmias. In conclusion, we were unable to obtain evidence in support of the concept that cyclooxygenase activity or cyclooxygenase-derived free radicals are involved in the genesis of ischemia- and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.     

Redistribution in left ventricular regional flow following acute right ventricular pressure overload

The left ventricular dysfunction following acute pulmowary hypertension remains unexplained. We wondered if acute pulmonary hypertension could alter the transmural flow distribution within the left ventricular myocardium, independent of coronary flow and perfusion pressure. We used a canine preparation in which the left coronary system was perfused at constant flow and induced a two- to three-fold increase in pulmonary artery pressure by banding the pulmonary artery. Regional myocardial blood flow of the left coronary system was measured using radioactive microspheres, injected into the left coronary system before and after 10-30 min of banding of the pulmonary artery. The left ventricular subendocardial:epicardial ratio fell by 12 and 31% (p less than 0.05) of control value, 10 and 30 min, respectively, after banding of the pulmonary artery, the total flow to the left coronary system being kept constant. Left atrial mean pressure increased from 2.9 +/- 2.4 to 3.6 +/- 1.9 and 6.0 +/- 2.1 (p less than 0.05) following banding. The mechanism of the redistribution of coronary flow may relate to inappropriate vasodilation of the right septal myocardium with consequent relative left ventricular subendocardial hypoperfusion which might aggravate left ventricular ischemia in the presence of hypotension and hypoxia.     

Progressive epicardial coronary blood flow reduction fails to produce ST-segment depression at normal heart rates

ST-segment depression is commonly seen in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Most authors have attributed it to transient reductions in coronary blood flow due to nonocclusive thrombus formation on a disrupted atherosclerotic plaque and dynamic focal vasospasm at the site of coronary artery stenosis. However, ST-segment depression was never reproduced in classic animal models of coronary stenosis without the presence of tachycardia. We hypothesized that ST-segment depression occurring during acute coronary syndromes is not entirely explained by changes in epicardial coronary artery resistance and thus evaluated the effect of a slow, progressive epicardial coronary artery occlusion on the ECG and regional myocardial blood flow in anesthetized pigs. Slow, progressive occlusion over 72 min (SD 27) of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 20 anesthetized pigs led to a 90% decrease in coronary blood flow and the development of ST-segment elevation associated with homogeneous and transmural myocardial blood flow reductions, confirmed by microspheres and myocardial contrast echocardiography. ST-segment depression was not observed in any ECG lead before the development of ST-segment elevation. At normal heart rates, progressive epicardial stenosis of a coronary artery results in myocardial ischemia associated with homogeneous, transmural reduction in regional myocardial blood flow and ST-segment elevation, without preceding ST-segment depression. Thus, in coronary syndromes with ST-segment depression and predominant subendocardial ischemia, factors other than mere increases in epicardial coronary resistance must be invoked to explain the heterogeneous parietal distribution of flow and associated ECG changes.     

Numerical analysis of dynamic temperature in response to different levels of reactive hyperaemia in a three-dimensional image-based hand model

Vascular reactivity (VR) is considered as an effective index to predict the risk of cardiovascular events. A cost-effective alternative technique used to evaluate VR called digital thermal monitoring (DTM) is based on the response of finger temperature to vessel occlusion and reperfusion. In this work, a simulation has been developed to investigate hand temperature in response to vessel occlusion and perfusion. The simulation consists of image-based mesh generation and finite element analysis of blood flow and heat transfer in tissues. In order to reconstruct a real geometric model of human hand, a computer programme including automatic image processing for sequential MR data and mesh generation based on the transfinite interpolation method is developed. In the finite element analysis part, blood flow perfused in solid tissues is considered as fluid phase through porous media. Heat transfer in tissues is described by Pennes bioheat equation and blood perfusion rate is obtained from Darcy velocities. Capillary pressure, blood perfusion and temperature distribution of hand are obtained. The results reveal that fingertip temperature is strongly dependent on larger arterial pressure. This simulation is of potential to quantify the indices used for evaluating the VR in DTM test if it is integrated with the haemodynamic model of blood circulation in upper limb.     

一氧化氮在铁诱导的大鼠心肌损伤中的作用

采用Langendorff灌流大鼠心脏和酶解分离的心肌细胞为实验模型,研究铁负荷下心肌损伤情况以及一氧化氮（NO）在铁诱导的心肌损伤中的地位。结果显示:（1）心肌铁负荷（Fe-HQ）可使分离心肌细胞舒张期细胞长度缩短、收缩幅度和速度降低,离体灌流心脏左室发展压（LVDP）、±dp/dtmax、冠脉流量呈现双相变化;冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）释放量和心肌丙二醛（MDA）增高。（2）NO的前体L-精氨酸（L-argi-nine,L-Arg）引起心肌细胞舒张期细胞长度缩短、收缩幅度降低。离体灌流心脏LVDP、冠脉流量、和±dp/dtmax增高,用K-H液复灌后可恢复正常。（3）L-Arg预处理,再行Fe-HQ灌流,与单纯的L-Arg或Fe-HQ组相比,心肌细胞舒张期细胞长度、收缩幅度和速度减小;离体灌流心脏LVDP、±dp/dtmax、心率和冠脉流量明显下降,冠脉流出液中LDH、CK增加。（4）Nω-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯（L-NAME）和Fe-HQ合并灌流后,与单纯Fe-HQ组相比,心肌细胞舒张期细胞长度、收缩幅度和速度增加。L-NAME可阻断Fe-HQ引起的LVDP、左室舒张末压（LVEDP）和±dp/dtmax降低,冠脉流出液中LDH、CK增高。（5）用Triton X-100短暂处理以去除冠脉内皮后,与保留冠脉内皮的心肌相比,Fe-HQ引起的LVDP和±dp/dtmax的一过性增高现象被抑制,但     

Effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) and its receptor antagonist BN 52021 on isolated perfused guinea-pig heart

The cardiac effects of PAF and its antagonist BN 52021 have been investigated on the isolated perfused guinea-pig heart maintained at a constant hydrostatic perfusion pressure of 80 cm water. In this model, PAF (1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-7) moles) induced a dose-dependent coronary vasoconstriction, a decrease in heart rate and a fall in contractile force. BN 52021 (1 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-4) M) dose-dependently inhibited the vasospasm induced by PAF (1 x 10(-10) moles). BN 52021 also antagonized the decrease in coronary flow and heart rate, but not that of contractile force induced by a high dose of PAF (1 x 10(-7) moles). This dose of PAF also significantly (p less than 0.001) provoked a marked release of TxB2 but did not alter the generation of 6 Keto PGF1 alpha, PGE2 or LTC4. The PAF-induced increase in TxB2 release was completely abolished by BN 52021.     

The effect of myosin ATPase inhibition on metabolic and functional recovery of isolated rat heart after global ischemia

The effect of myosin ATPase inhibitor, 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) used in the range of concentrations 1.25–10.0 mM), on recovery of functions of isolated rat heart subjected to normothermic (37 °C) total ischemia for 35 min has been investigated. BDM perfusion was performed at a flow rate of 4 ml/min during 5 min before ischemia (BDM-I) or before 25-min reperfusion (BDM-R). Control hearts were perfused with Krebs solution at the same flow rate. The highest functional recovery of heart and coronary vessels was observed during infusion of 2.5 mM BDM before ischemia. At the end of reperfusion ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) content in hearts of this group was significantly higher whereas the level of lactate was two times lower than in control; total creatine content (ΣCr) did not differ from the initial level. Similar but less pronounced changes in the improvement of aerobic metabolism and maintenance of ΣCr after reperfusion were also observed in the case of infusion of 2.5 mM BDM before reperfusion. They were consistent with reduced recovery of functions of heart and coronary flow compared with these parameters observed in the BDM-I group. 2.5 mM BDM caused almost 2-fold decrease in release of cardiac lactate dehydrogenase into myocardial perfusate in the BDM-I and BDM-R groups (compared with control); this suggests lower damage of cell membranes. These results suggest that improvement of energy supply of postischemic cardiomyocytes may be a key factor determining cardioprotector effectiveness of short-term administration of BDM before ischemia.     

Coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating modulate atrial natriuretic factor release from isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts

The role of coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release was studied in the isolated Langendorff-perfused rat heart. ANF release was measured by radioimmunoassay. When the coronary flow rate was changed, ANF release decreased or increased in a flow-dependent manner. When the perfusion pressure was changed, ANF release also increased or decreased, respectively, with concomitant changes in coronary flow rate. Furthermore, perfusion with 50 mM potassium chloride showed immediate cardiac arrest and a decrease of ANF release to an undetectable level with a significant decrease in coronary flow. However, low but readily detectable amounts of ANF were released when coronary flow rate was maintained. These results may suggest that coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating could be factors modulating ANF secretion from the atrium.     

Alterations of the bioenergetics systems of the cell in acute and chronic myocardial ischemia

The aim of the works presented here is to analyze the alterations induced by acute ischemia-reperfusion and chronic ischemia on mitochondrial function, in relation to alterations on heart function. Parameters of mitochondrial function were assessed on skinned fibers coming from isolated perfused rat hearts. The effects of chronic ischemia were studied on a rat model of left descending coronary artery stenosis. Two key events observed after acute ischemia-reperfusion and chronic ischemia are the decrease (or the loss) of the stimulatory effect of creatine and the alteration of outer mitochondrial permeability to cytochrome c and ADP. Taken together, these effects indicate the alteration of the intermembrane space architecture leading to the loss of intracellular adenine nucleotides compartmentation and possibly of functional coupling of mitochondrial creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase. These alterations result in the impairment of intracellular energy transfer (channeling) from mitochondria to ATP-utilizing sites located in the cytosol. This may play a significant role in ischemic injury and alterations in heart function. We show that these effects were prevented by effective cardioprotective strategies like ischemic preconditioning or pharmacological preconditioning by perfusion of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers. We hypothesize that an open mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel during ischemia maintains the tight structure of the intermembrane space that is required to preserve the normal low outer membrane permeability to ADP and ATP.     

In vivo role of heme oxygenase in ischemic coronary vasodilation

The heart constitutively expresses heme oxygenase (HO)-2, which catabolizes heme-containing proteins to produce biliverdin and carbon monoxide (CO). The heart also contains many possible substrates for HO-2 such as heme groups of myoglobin and cytochrome P-450s, which potentially could be metabolized into CO. As a result of observations that CO activates guanylyl cyclase and induces vascular relaxation and that HO appears to confer protection from ischemic injury, we hypothesized that the HO-CO pathway is involved in ischemic vasodilation in the coronary microcirculation. Responses of epicardial coronary arterioles to ischemia (perfusion pressure approximately 40 mmHg; flow velocity decreased by approximately 50%; dL/dt reduced by approximately 60%) were measured using stroboscopic fluorescence microangiography in 34 open-chest anesthetized dogs. Ischemia caused vasodilation of coronary arterioles by 36 +/- 6%. Administration of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 3 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1) intracoronary), indomethacin (10 mg/kg iv), and K(+) (60 mM, epicardial suffusion) to prevent the actions of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and hyperpolarizing factors, respectively, partially inhibited dilation during ischemia (36 +/- 6 vs. 15 +/- 4%; P < 0.05). The residual vasodilation during ischemia after antagonist administration was inhibited by tin mesoporphyrin IX (SnMP, 10 mg/kg iv), which is an inhibitor of HO (15 +/- 4 vs. 7 +/- 2%; P < 0.05 vs. before SnMP). The guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (10(-5) M, epicardial suffusion) also inhibited vasodilation during ischemia in the presence of L-NMMA with indomethacin and KCl. Moreover, administration of heme-L-arginate, which is a substrate for HO, produced dilation after ischemia but not after control conditions. We conclude that during myocardial ischemia, HO-2 activation can produce cGMP-mediated vasodilation presumably via the production of CO. This vasodilatory pathway appears to play a backup role and is activated only when other mechanisms of vasodilation during ischemia are exhausted.