In pentobarbital anesthetized, open chest pigs, coronary blood flow (CBF), myocardial contractility and systemic hemodynamic variables were monitored during intracoronary injections of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NA) or neurokinin B (NB). SP was most potent in increasing CBF although NA was also active in high doses while NB had absolutely no effect. SP was also more potent than NA in producing systemic hypotension. The data suggests that SP and its receptors might be potentially important modulators of CBF.