Changes in the fractional distribution of cardiac output (FF), organ blood flow, and regional vascular resistance were measured by the isotope dilution technique of Sapirstein using 86Rb as indicator in unanesthetized rats during acute arterial hypertension produced by bilateral lesions of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). After NTS lesions, the FF was significantly reduced in skin, muscle, and colon, increased in ventricular myocardium, spleen, and adrenal glands, and was unchanged elsewhere. Because of a marked reduction in cardiac output (CO) during hypertension, the absolute organ blood flow (FF X CO) was reduced in lesioned rats to 30-40% of control in skin, muscle, and colon and between 60% and 75% of control in most of the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract and renal cortex; it was unchanged in myocardium and endocrine glands. Resistance was substantially increased (4- to 6-fold) in skin, muscle and colon but was only moderately increased (1.5- to 2.5-fold) in the remaining organs. The results indicate that, while NTS lesions will increase resistance in most vascular beds, the response is unequally distributed, influencing skin, muscle, and colon disproportionately to other tissues. Because of an interaction between a reduction in CO and little autoregulation, blood flow is reduced primarily in skin, muscle, and colon. The pattern of redistribution of CO was consistent with the interpretation that NTS hypertension results from interrupting baroreceptor reflexes centrally. The pattern of redistribution of blood flow in rats with NTS lesions differs from that produced by deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt and renal ischemia.