Maximizing myocardial perfusion with combined dipyridamole and phenylephrine

Intravenous dipyridamole (DP), a potent coronary vasodilator, has been used as a pharmacological exercise substitute for Thallium scintigraphy. Increased coronary artery flow occurs in animals. Humans with severe coronary disease have been imaged with Thallium using this technique. However, in both animals and man, the systemic blood pressure decreases especially at higher dosages. Myocardial perfusion (MP) is dependent on delivery pressure as well as the diameter of the coronary artery. The authors therefore maintained blood pressure by infusion of phenylephrine (PE) during maximal coronary artery dilatation from DP. Seven anesthetized, mongrel, open chest dogs weighing 20-25 kgs were infused with DP alone, 0.075 mg/kg/min for 10 minutes. Mp was measured in a highly localized small volume (0.5 cm/sup 3/) of myocardium using a silicon avalanche radiation detector to record the washout of a 2-5 mCi bolus of xenon in saline using the Kety-Schmidt formula. Polyethylene tubing (O.D. 0.03 inches) was directed into the proximal LAD using a brass canula introduced through the carotid artery. In 5 other dogs, 0.1 mg of PE was added to the DP. DP alone caused only a minor elevation of MP (15%) while the blood pressure decreased. In contrast with PE, the pressure was maintained and MP more than doubled. With continued infusion, both pressure and MP fell. In conclusion, elevation of MP by a coronary dilator DP can be enhanced when combined with a vasopressor (PE) and may be better for pharmacological stimulation of MP for Thallium imaging. Prolonged administration of DP may decrease rather than increase MP even during infusion of phenylephrine