Choroidal blood flow. II. The effects of autonomic agents

The effects of autonomic agents on the choroidal circulation were studied by the radioactive krypton desaturation technique in anesthetized cats. Levarterenol, epinephrine, and acetylcholine, when administered locally via the lateral long posterior ciliary artery (LLPCA), caused the anticipated changes in choroidal vascular resistance (CVR), and corresponding changes in choroidal blood flow (CBF). When administered systemically via the femoral artery, the changes in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) tended to mask any changes in CVR resulting in an opposite effect on CBF. Isoproterenol was found to have no effect on CBF when administered via the LLPCA; when injected via the femoral artery, it resulted in a decrease in MAP and CBF without a significant change in CVR.