Influence of opioids on the vascular tone of isolated porcine coronary artery segments

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Abstract
Background: It was the aim of this study to elucidate the influence of opioids on coronary vascular tone using the model of isolated porcine coronary artery segments.Methods: We studied the effects of fentanyl (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 μg ml−1), alfentanil (0.1, 1.0, 10 μg ml−1), and sufentanil (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 μg ml−1) on the contractile response to three vasoconstrictors, acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin.Results: Fentanyl (0.1, 1.0 μg ml−1) dose‐dependently attenuated the contractile response to acetylcholine, but not to histamine and serotonin. There were no differences in fentanyl's vasorelaxing potency between rings with intact and denuded endothelium. Alfentanil and sufentanil did not exert any significant influence on any of the vasoconstrictors tested.Conclusion: It is concluded that, in isolated porcine coronary artery rings, fentanyl at high concentrations has an attenuating effect on acetylcholine‐induced contractions, which is independent of endothelial function, whereas alfentanil and sufentanil do not influence coronary vascular tone.