Effect of 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) on coronary artery constriction in isolated rabbit hearts.

The vasodilator 8-bromo-guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-bromo-cGMP) effectively counteracts vasopressin-induced coronary artery constriction in a supported perfused working rabbit heart. In this preparation, the coronary arteries remain in contact with the beating heart. The obtuse marginal artery and portions of the left anterior descending coronary artery were deprived of endothelium. Perfusion was carried out with Krebs-Henseleit solution, oxygenated with a disposable infant oxygenator. The internal diameter of large coronary arteries was determined by color arteriography (injection of patent blue dye and gated photography). The effect of vasopressin with and without the addition of 8-bromo-cGMP on cardiac performance (cardiac output, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, maximal rate of rise in left ventricular pressure [dP/dtmax], mean aortic pressure) and large coronary vessel and total coronary vascular resistance was determined in nine experiments. In addition, changes in coronary sinus partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and pH were observed. Vasopressin alone caused a significant decline in coronary flow, myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary sinus pH. Cardiac performance declined, probably because of myocardial ischemia. Large coronary vessel and total coronary vascular resistance rose. The vasodilator 8-bromo-cGMP strongly inhibited the vasoconstrictor action of vasopressin, counteracted the increase in large and total coronary vascular resistance, prevented the fall in myocardial oxygen consumption and eliminated changes in pH or PCO2 of coronary sinus effluent. Because of the elimination of myocardial ischemia by 8-bromo-cGMP, cardiac performance was normalized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)