Monoaminergic pathways to the coronary arteries and to the myocardium

摘要

The monoaminergic innervation of the coronary vessels and of the myocardium in dogs was examined by means of degenerative techniques: (i) local perivascular neurotomy was performed at the origin of the left coronary artery; (ii) the stellate ganglion was removed bilaterally. Evaluation of the neural degeneration pattern led the suggestion that three types of neurons at least exist within the heart: (i) neurons innervating the coronary vessels both in the ventricles and in the atria; (ii) neurons innervating the ventricular myocardium, and (iii) neurons innervating the atrial myocardium. The post-ganglionic fibres of the stellate ganglion innervate the vessels of the whole heart. Their contribution to the innervation of the ventricular myocardium represents about 30%.