Hemodynamics, coronary blood flow, and myocardial metabolism in coronary shock; response to l-norepinephrine and isoproterenol

Hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism were evaluated in 18 patients in cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction. The response to l-norepinephrine was studied in seven cases and the response to isoproterenol in four cases. Cardiac index (CI) was markedly reduced, averaging 1.35 liters/min per m(2). Mean arterial pressure ranged from 40 to 65 mm Hg while systemic vascular resistance varied widely, averaging 1575 dyne-sec-cm(-5). Coronary blood flow (CBF) was decreased in all but three patients (range 60-95, mean 71 ml/100 g per min). Myocardial oxygen consumption (MV(O2)) was normal or increased ranging from 5.96 to 11.37 ml/100 g per min. Myocardial oxygen extraction was above 70% and coronary sinus oxygen tension was below 22 mm Hg in most of the patients. The detection of the abnormal oxygen pattern in spite of sampling of mixed coronary venous blood indicates the severity of myocardial hypoxia. In 15 studies myocardial lactate production was demonstrated; in the remaining three lactate extraction was below 10%. Excess lactate was present in 12 patients. During l-norepinephrine infusion CI increased insignificantly. Increased arterial pressure was associated in all patients by increases in CBF, averaging 28% (P < 0.01). Myocardial metabolism improved. Increases in MV(O2) mainly paralled increases in CBF. Myocardial lactate production shifted to extraction in three patients and extraction improved in three. During isoproterenol infusion CI increased uniformly, averaging 61%. Mean arterial pressure remained unchanged but diastolic arterial pressure fell. CBF increased in three patients, secondary to decrease in CVR. Myocardial lactate metabolism deteriorated uniformly; lactate production increased or extraction shifted to production. In the acute state of coronary shock the primary therapeutic concern should be directed towards the myocardium and not towards peripheral circulation. Since forward and collateral flow through the severely diseased coronary bed depends mainly on perfusion pressure, l-norepinephrine appears to be superior to isoproterenol; phase-shift balloon pumping may be considered early when pharmacologic therapy is unsuccessful.