Effects of sodium pentothal and sufentanil on serotonin induced constriction of canine coronary artery rings without endothelium.

1. The individual and combined effects of sufentanil and sodium pentothal on canine coronary artery vasomotor responses to 5-HT were studied in an isolated vascular ring preparation. 2. Clinical concentrations of sufentanil have little effect on basal coronary tension or constriction induced by either 5-HT or sodium pentothal individually, until very high doses greater than 0.26 microM are reached. 3. Sodium pentothal causes coronary constriction at clinical concentrations and this effect is additive and possibly potentiated when combined with 5-HT. 4. Sufentanil inhibits coronary constriction induced by the combination of sodium pentothal and 5-HT.