Use of ultrasonic and microsphere techniques to evaluate regional aspects of vasodilator therapy in myocardial ischaemia, arterial hypertension and heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
To review regional aspects of vasodilator therapy in myocardial ischemia, arterial hypertension and heart failure.


METHODS
Results were obtained from experiments (1) performed either in experimental animals or in human volunteers or patients; (2) using either ultrasonic or microsphere techniques; (3) on the effects of different drug classes, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, potassium channel openers and nitrates; and (4) on the arterial and arteriolar vasodilating effects of different drug classes.


CONCLUSIONS
The regional vasodilator effects, both arteriolar and arterial, of the major classes of drugs used in the treatment of coronary insufficiency, arterial hypertension and cardiac failure appear to be heterogenous. This heterogeneity is seen with a given drug in different vascular beds; within a class of drugs in a single vascular region; and between the regional vasodilator profiles of different classes of drugs. From the clinical point of view, the consequences of this heterogeneous vasodilation may be either positive (increase in flow, favourable redistribution of flow) or negative (steal phenomenon, opening of shunts).
Giudicelli
J F
JF
Department of Pharmacology, Paris-Sud Faculty of Medicine, France.
Berdeaux
A
A
Richer
C
C
Thuillez
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008863:Microspheres; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents