Effects of anaesthesia on regional coronary control mechanisms

1. The regional coronary circulation is under the control of local metaboli c and myogenic factors, but is also influenced by autonomic systems, includ ing sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. 2. General anaesthetic agents influence not only local control through chan ges in metabolic demand, but also neural control through suppression of aut onomic influence. 3. Anaesthetic agents have differing effects on reflex control systems, whi ch are dependent on coronary territory and ventricular rate. 4. Effects of anaesthesia should be taken into account when interpreting re sults in anaesthetized models of coronary control.