Myocardial catecholamines and ventricular performance during carotid artery occlusion

Abstract

Under conditions of constant cardiac output, heart rate, aortic pressure, and relatively constant coronary blood flow, carotid artery occlusion is associated with a significant decline in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, i.e., an increase of myocardial contractility. This decline in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is significantly reversed by bilateral ansectomy. During carotid artery occlusion coronary venous catecholamines showed varying responses relative to the changes in arterial catecholamine levels. The results indicate that during carotid occlusion both increased myocardial utilization and release of catecholamines may occur.