Effects of external counterpulsation on renin-angiotensin system and hemodynamics in dogs with myocardial ischemia

AIM:To examine the effect of external counterpulsation(ECP) on renin-angiotensin system(RAS) and hemodynamics in dogs with myocardial ischemia and their relationship. METHODS:Acute myocardial ischemia was induced by occluding the left anterior descending of the dogs. The local renin activity, angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) level, angiotension-converting enzyme(ACE) activity were tested by biochemical methods and hemodynamics was recorded by a 8-channel physiological recorder.RESULTS:Ischemia could actiivate renin,ACE and AngⅡ in cardiovasculature and ECP reduced them except for renin in ischemic myocardium. Ischemia also could activate RAS in lung and kidney, which play an important role on circulating RAS, and ECP reduced them. Furthermore, ECP could improve hemodynamics and there existed a close relationship between local AngⅡlevel and hemodynamics. CONCLUSION:ECP can reduce local RAS and improve hemodynamics in dogs with myocardial ischemia, which might be one of mechanisms underlying the protective effect of ECP on ischemic myocardium.