Effect of Ace-Inhibition on Regional Blood Flow During Acute Left Ventricular Failure in the Dog.

Acute left ventricular failure was induced in 7 anaesthetized dogs by embolization of the left coronary circulation with 57 μm plastic microspheres. The dogs were then subjected to ACE-inhibition with enalapril. In addition to hemodynamic measurements, tissue blood flow was measured with the radioactive microsphere method. Preliminary results are presented, showing the vasodilatory effects of enalapril to be greatest in stomach, muscle and brain while possibly compromising the renal circulation.