Leukotrienes hemodynamic effects

In a third study the time course of the effects of intravenous and intracoronary injections of cysteinyl leukotrienes on metabolic parameters and systemic and coronary hemodynamics was examined in patients with normal coronary arteries [32]. LTD4 (3 nmol, injected into the left coronary artery) induced an early (20 s), transient fall in mean arterial pressure paralleled by rises in heart rate and plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, all of which had returned to baseline by 10 min. CVR rose at 10 and 15 min and myocardial oxygen extraction at 15 min. Thus, small doses of cysteinyl leukotrienes may induce both an early, transient fall in mean arterial pressure, with secondary sympathoadrenergic activation, and a later increase in small coronary arteriolar resistance. 

Etemai, A.R., Tempel, G.E., Wise, W.C., Halushka, P.V. and Cook, J.A. (1986). The beneficial effects of a leukotriene antagonist on endotoxin induced acute hemodynamic alterations. Circ. Shock, (In press)... 

---