Short-term effects of naloxone hemodynamics and baroreflex function in conscious dogs with pacing-induced congestive heart failure

Abstract

The increase in basal plasma beta-endorphin suggests that the endogenous opiate system is activated in left-sided congestive heart failure. Because naloxone improves the systemic hemodynamics and myocardial contractile function under this condition, the endogenous opioids appear to play an important role in mediating the myocardial depression that occurs in heart failure. However, the endogenous opiate system has no apparent effect on the regulation of baroreflex control in heart failure induced by rapid pacing.