Acute effect of intravenous dipyridamole on regional coronary hemodynamics and metabolism.

The acute coronary hemodynamic and metabolic effects of intravenous dipyridamole were studied in 13 patients. Total left ventricular (LV), anterior (supplied by the left anterior descending coronary artery) and inferior (supplied by circumflex and right coronary arteries) regional flows and metabolic responses were assessed from the coronary sinus and great cardiac vein. Perfusion to LV regions was classified as potentially "normal" or "abnormal," based on coronary angiographic findings. Before dipyridamole, coronary flow, LV oxygen delivery and lactate extraction in both the normal and abnormal regions were similar. Within 1 minute after injection of 20 mg of dipyridamole by i.v. bolus, total coronary flow increased 51% (p less than 0.05). Fifteen minutes after injection the flow increase persisted. Flow decreased to approximately control level by 20 minutes. The major component of this increased total coronary flow resulted from increased flow in normal regions (75% at 1 minute, p less than 0.05). Mean regional LV oxygen delivery and lactate extraction were not changed significantly in either normal or abnormal regions. However, lactate production occurred more often after dipyridamole in abnormal regions. These results suggest that during dipyridamole-induced hyperemia, regional coronary flow and metabolic responses depend upon the status of the arteries supplying the LV region. Regional differences in flow and metabolism occur independent of major changes in heart rate and aortic and LV pressures.