The response of blood flow between the internal thoracic and ileocecal arteries to inotropic agents in a canine model.

The pharmacologic response of coronary artery bypass conduits is of great importance. This study was designed to clarify the response of blood flow between the internal thoracic artery (ITA) and the ileocecal artery (ICA) to inotropic agents. The responses of the ITA and ICA to epinephrine, dopamine, isoproterenol, and dobutamine were examined by collecting free-flowing blood from a canine model. There were no significant differences in the response to inotropic agents between the ITA and the ICA. Epinephrine and dopamine increased the graft flow, whereas isoproterenol and dobutamine decreased the graft flow percentages of the cardiac output. These results suggest that the flow response to inotropic agents is equivalent in canine ITA and ICA grafts.