Total and regional coronary blood flow during acute right ventricular pressure overload

Abstract

AUTHORS' SYNOPSIS: Total and regional coronary blood flow were measured with radioactive microspheres before and during acute right ventricular pressure overload. Coronary flow to the left ventricular wall decreased and coronary vascular resistance in this region increased during the overload. These changes do not appear to be due to metabolic changes of the left ventricle but rather seem to be mediated through alpha-adrenergic receptors of the coronary arteries.