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Biomedical subjects

M R Starling

Publications and source records attributed to M R Starling.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Load independence of the rate of isovolumic relaxation in man.

This investigation was designed to determine whether the rate of isovolumic left ventricular pressure decline is affected by load in man. Fourteen patients were instrumented with micromanometer left ventricular and right atrial pacing catheters to maintain a constant heart rate during control conditions and infusion of methoxamine or nitroprusside. The isovolumic relaxation period was defined as the time from peak (-)dP/dt to 5 mm Hg above left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of the following beat. The rate of isovolumic relaxation was calculated as time constants (Tau) from the linear regression of natural log pressure vs time (Tln) and instantaneous (-)dP/dt vs pressure (TD), which includes a variable asymptote (PB). The mean heart rates and average (+)dP/dt values normalized at 40 mm Hg development pressure (DP40) did not differ significantly, despite 33% and 43% increases in left ventricular peak and end-diastolic pressures during the infusion of methoxamine (p less than .001 and p less than .01, respectively) and 24% and 29% decreases during the infusion of nitroprusside (p less than .001 and p less than .01, respectively). The average Tln and TD values were not significantly affected by these alterations in load. In two patients, an inverse linear relationship was demonstrated between decreases in Tau and increases in contractile state produced by an infusion of dobutamine, as shown by correlation of Tln and TD with (+)dP/dt/DP40 (r = -.88 and -.83, respectively). We conclude that the time constants of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation are unaffected by modest alterations in loading conditions in man when heart rate is maintained constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

First-pass anger camera radiocardiography: biventricular ejection fraction, flow, and volume measurements.

First-pass (FP) right and left ventricular ejection fraction results were compared with equilibrium radiocardiographic (ER) measurements, and FP left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values were compared with biplane contrast angiographic (CA) measurements in 13 patients with and seven patients without regurgitant valvular disease. Regurgitant fractions were calculated from differences between the FP right and left ventricular stroke volumes. Ejection fractions determined by FP were precise (mean CV = 9.6% RVEF, 13.4% LVEF). Mean LVEF by FP and ER were essentially identical, and both were lower than by CA. LVEF(FP) correlated with LVEF by ER and CA (r = 0.88, p less than 0.001). Mean RVEF by both FP and ER were also correlated (r = 0.82, p less than 0.001). There was correlation between FP (corrected) and CA left ventricular stroke (r = 0.77), end-diastolic (r = 0.88), and end-systolic (r = 0.91) volumes, but underestimates were noted when uncorrected flows were used (r = 0.52-0.71). The FP regurgitant fraction measurements separated the patients with regurgitant valvular disease from those without and agreed well with CA grading of regurgitation.

Blood Volume↗

Quantification of left-ventricular regional dyssynergy by radionuclide angiography.

To determine whether variables obtained from Fourier analysis of gated equilibrium radionuclide angiographic (RNA) images can detect and quantify changes in left-ventricular (LV) regional wall motion induced by transient ischemia, 11 chronically instrumented dogs were simultaneously studied with hemodynamic measurements and RNA during control, left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery occlusion, and postocclusion conditions. The dogs were preinstrumented with aortic and LV catheters, electromagnetic aortic and LCx coronary artery flow probes, high-fidelity LV micromanometers, LCx coronary artery occluders, and 4-mm ultrasonic transverse LV diameter and 2-mm regional LV segment crystal pairs. Radionuclide LV regional phase and amplitude variables were calculated for each condition. The absolute changes in LCx region RNA mean, median, and standard deviation of mean phase correlated with the percent changes in LCx segment crystal fractional shortening (r = -0.71, -0.64, and -0.51, respectively; all p less than or equal to 0.01). Similarly, the absolute changes and percent changes in LCx region RNA mean amplitude per pixel correlated with the percent changes in LCx segment crystal fractional shortening (r = 0.89 and 0.94, respectively; both p less than 0.001). When these LCx region RNA phase variables were subgrouped according to mild or severe depression or augmentation in LCx segment crystal fractional shortening, progressive differences were observed between the average values for these subgroups (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.001). These data, therefore, suggest that these regional RNA phase variables may be able to detect and quantify alterations in LV contraction patterns due to transient ischemia.

Animals↗

Prognostic value of electrocardiographic exercise testing and noninvasive assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction soon after acute myocardial infarction.

To determine the relative value of clinical findings, results of low-level treadmill electrocardiographic (ECG) exercise testing and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) for predicting cardiac events in the year after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 72 patients who had had an uncomplicated AMI were studied with either radionuclide angiography or 2-dimensional echocardiography to assess LVEF and a low-level treadmill exercise test before hospital discharge. All patients were followed for 1 year. Nineteen patients (26%) had at least 1 cardiac event: coronary artery bypass grafting (11 patients), recurrent AMI (6 patients) or cardiac death (6 patients). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that total cardiac events were predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina, prior AMI, ventricular ectopic activity during exercise and digoxin therapy (cumulative r = 0.58, p less than 0.001). Coronary artery bypass grafting was predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina (r = 0.29, p = 0.01). Recurrent AMI was predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina, prior AMI and ventricular ectopic activity during exercise (cumulative r = 0.49, p less than 0.001). Cardiac death was predicted by an LVEF of 40% or less (r = 0.38, p = 0.01). The presence of both an LVEF of 40% or less and ECG ST-segment depression on treadmill exercise testing defined a subgroup of patients with a high incidence of early cardiac death (33%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Clinical and prognostic importance of persistent precordial (V1-V4) electrocardiographic ST segment depression in patients with inferior transmural myocardial infarction.

Forty-three consecutive patients with acute inferior transmural myocardial infarction but no history or electrocardiographic evidence of prior myocardial infarction were evaluated prospectively to assess the clinical and prognostic importance of persistent precordial (V1-V4) ST segment depression. Patients were evaluated within 24 hr of admission by history, physical examination, cardiac enzyme levels, right heart catheterization, and radionuclide angiography; all were followed for 1 year. Ten of the 43 patients (group I) had persistent anterior precordial ST segment depression, defined as 1 mm or greater in one or more precordial leads (V1-V4) 24 hr after admission to the coronary care unit, and 33 patients (group II) did not. Clinical variables that differed between groups I and II, respectively, included mean age (67 +/- 9 [+/- 1 SD] vs 59 +/- 8 years; p less than .01), incidence of Killip class II to IV (100% vs 33%; p less than .001), and average peak creatine kinase concentration (2878 +/- 1139 vs 1511 +/- 1034 IU/liter; p less than .001). Hemodynamic differences between groups I and II included a higher pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (19 +/- 4 vs 11 +/- 5 mm Hg; p less than .001) and a lower cardiac index (2.0 +/- 0.5 vs 2.6 +/- 0.7 liters/min/m2; p less than .05). An evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion index by radionuclide angiography showed that group I had a lower ejection fraction (44 +/- 11% vs 53 +/- 10%; p less than .05) and higher wall motion index (1.7 +/- 0.4 vs 1.4 +/- 0.3; p less than .05) compared with group II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Accuracy of biplane axial oblique and oblique cineangiographic left ventricular cast volume determinations using a modification of Simpson's rule algorithm.

In order to compare biplane left ventricular cast volume determinations from orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique and standard orthogonal oblique cineangiograms to those that were obtained by water (H2O) displacement, we evaluated 14 human heart specimens in the following projections: 30-degree right anterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique/20-degree cranial (LVa), 45-degree left posterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique/30-degree cranial (LVb), and 30-degree right anterior oblique and 60-degree left anterior oblique (LVc). The correlation coefficients and standard errors of the estimate (SEEs) for the biplane orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique (LVa and LVb, respectively) and standard orthogonal oblique (LVc) cineangiographic left ventricular volume determinations compared with the left ventricular cast volumes obtained by H2O displacement were similar (each r = 0.99 with SEEs = 5 to 7 milliliters (ml)). However, the mean biplane cineangiographic cast volume of 69 +/- 43 ml (SD) by LVa exceeded the average left ventricular cast volume of 60 +/- 35 ml by H2O displacement (p less than 0.01), while the average left ventricular cast volumes obtained with LVb and LVc (63 +/- 35, and 60 +/- 34 ml, respectively) did not differ significantly from the mean left ventricular cast volume obtained by H2O displacement. We concluded that the biplane orthogonal and nonorthogonal axial oblique cineangiographic views of the left ventricle, which have been reported to improve the delineation of cardiac anatomy, left ventricular regional wall motion, and the assessment of mitral regurgitation, also provide accurate determinations of left ventricular volume that are similar to those calculated from standard biplane orthogonal oblique cineangiograms.

Cineangiography↗

Segmental coronary artery disease: detection by rotating slant-hole collimator tomography and planar thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy.

Normal quantitative circumferential profile limits were established for a 30 degrees bilateral rotating slant-hole (RSH) collimator tomographic system. This system's value in detecting segmental coronary artery disease was assessed in a study evaluating 196 patients by thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy and coronary arteriography. Profile curves were calculated from images of 20 healthy patients and used to identify significant coronary artery disease (greater than or equal to 70% diameter narrowing) in the left anterior descending (LAD), the right, and the left circumflex (LCx) coronary arteries. In a group of 86 patients, an abnormality on the apical or middle plane optimally identified segmental coronary artery disease. When such abnormalities were prospectively evaluated in a test group of 110 patients, the sensitivity and specificity were 79% and 93% for LAD, 90% and 90% for right, and 83% and 83% for LCx coronary artery disease. Compared with qualitative interpretation of the planar and tomographic images, quantitative tomography significantly improved the sensitivity of T1-201 imaging in detecting LAD, right, and LCx coronary artery disease (P less than .001) in patients with or without previous myocardial infarction.

Adult↗

Validation of attenuation-corrected equilibrium radionuclide angiographic determinations of right ventricular volume: comparison with cast-validated biplane cineventriculography.

To determine the accuracy of attenuation-corrected equilibrium radionuclide angiographic determinations of right ventricular volumes, we initially studied 14 postmortem human right ventricular casts by water displacement and biplane cineventriculography. Biplane cineventriculographic right ventricular cast volumes, calculated by a modification of Simpson's rule algorithm, correlated well with right ventricular cast volumes measured by water displacement (r = .97, y = 8 + 0.88x, SEE = 6 ml). Moreover, the mean volumes obtained by both methods were no different (73 +/- 28 vs 73 +/- 25 ml). Subsequently, we studied 16 patients by both biplane cineventriculography and equilibrium radionuclide angiography. The uncorrected radionuclide right ventricular volumes were calculated by normalizing background corrected end-diastolic and end-systolic counts from hand-drawn regions of interest obtained by phase analysis for cardiac cycles processed, frame rate, and blood sample counts. Attenuation correction was performed by a simple geometric method. The attenuation-corrected radionuclide right ventricular end-diastolic volumes correlated with the cineventriculographic end-diastolic volumes (r = .91, y = 3 + 0.92x, SEE = 27 ml). Similarly, the attenuation-corrected radionuclide right ventricular end-systolic volumes correlated with the cineventriculographic end-systolic volumes (r = .93, y = - 1 + 0.91x, SEE = 16 ml). Also, the mean attenuation-corrected radionuclide end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were no different than the average cineventriculographic end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (160 +/- 61 and 83 +/- 44 vs 170 +/- 61 and 86 +/- 43 ml, respectively). Comparison of the uncorrected and attenuation-corrected radionuclide right ventricular volumes demonstrated narrower 95% confidence intervals for the attentuation-corrected right ventricular volume determinations over a wide range of cineventriculographic volumes. Thus we conclude that: (1) attenuation-corrected radionuclide right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes compare closely with those obtained by a cast-validated biplane cineventriculographic method and (2) attenuation-corrected radionuclide right ventricular volumes correspond more closely to determinations of biplane cineventriculographic right ventricular volumes and are thus likely to be more accurate than uncorrected radionuclide right ventricular volumes.

Adolescent↗

Comparative effects of volume loading, dobutamine, and nitroprusside in patients with predominant right ventricular infarction.

To assess the value of volume loading and to determine the relative efficacy of dobutamine compared with nitroprusside therapy in acute right ventricular infarction (RVMI), 13 patients with clinical, hemodynamic, and radionuclide angiographic evidence of RVMI were evaluated. In 10 patients who had an initial pulmonary arterial wedge pressure less than 18 mm Hg, volume loading did not improve cardiac index (1.9 +/- 0.5 [SD] to 2.1 +/- 0.4 liters/min/m2), despite significant increases in mean right atrial pressure (11 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 2 mm Hg, p less than .001) and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (10 +/- 4 to 15 +/- 2 mm Hg, p less than .001). Nine patients received dobutamine or nitroprusside in random order, while hemodynamic measurements and radionuclide angiograms were obtained simultaneously. Compared with nitroprusside, dobutamine produced a statistically significant increase in cardiac index (2.0 +/- 0.4 to 2.7 +/- 0.5 vs 2.1 +/- 0.4 to 2.3 +/- 0.5 liters/min/m2, p less than .001), stroke volume index (29 +/- 6 to 36 +/- 8 vs 29 +/- 6 to 30 +/- 6 ml/m2, p = .02), and right ventricular ejection fraction (30 +/- 8% to 42 +/- 7% vs 34 +/- 8% to 37 +/- 4%, p less than .01) by two-way analysis of variance. We conclude that volume loading does not improve cardiac index in patients with acute RVMI despite a rise in cardiac filling pressures and that infusion of dobutamine, after appropriate volume loading, produces a significant improvement in cardiac index and right ventricular ejection fraction over those after infusion of nitroprusside.

Adult↗

Effect of errors in reangulation on planar and tomographic thallium-201 washout profile curves.

Cardiac phantom studies were performed with and without a defect present to test the hypothesis that myocardial 201TI quantitative circumferential washout profile curves calculated from planar and rotating slant hole (RSH) collimator tomographic images are equally affected by errors in axial repositioning. Simulated stress images were acquired with the long axis of the phantom perpendicular to the camera surface and redistribution images were acquired to represent 50% 201TI washout with axial repositioning errors relative to the stress position ranging from 0 to 20 degrees in 5 degrees increments. There was a decrease in the 201TI washout profile curves compared to that expected (50%) in the wall tilted away from the camera surface, and a reciprocal increase in the 201TI washout profile curves in the wall tilted towards the camera surface for both imaging techniques whether a lesion was present or not. This effect became more pronounced as the error in axial repositioning was increased for both the planar (p less than 0.001) and the RSH tomographic (p less than 0.001) techniques. However, the deviation of the 201TI washout profile curves from that expected (50%) was greater for the planar imaging technique with or without a lesion (p less than 0.05 to 0.001). Thus, we conclude that 201TI quantitative circumferential washout profile curves calculated using this tomographic imaging technique are less affected by errors in axial repositioning than those calculated using an equivalent projection by standard planar imaging methods. These data emphasize the importance which must be placed on the repositioning of patients to obtain valid 201TI washout profile curves for the detection and localization of coronary artery disease.

Coronary Disease↗

Repeat treadmill exercise testing: variability of results in patients with angina pectoris.

To assess the reproducibility and individual variability of ECG treadmill exercise test results, we evaluated 23 patients with coronary artery disease and stable exertional angina by means of two control exercise tests performed on different days within a 1 week period. In addition, each control test was followed on the same day by a single dose of placebo or active agent determined in a randomized double-blind manner and the exercise test was repeated. When the mean exercise test results from the control tests on days 1 and 2 were compared, there was a significant increase in exercise duration to angina (7.4 +/- 3.2 to 9.0 +/- 3.3 minutes, p less than 0.05), ST segment depression (7.8 +/- 3.9 to 9.6 +/- 3.6 minutes, p less than 0.01), and maximal exercise (9.7 +/- 3.7 to 11.0 +/- 4.1 minutes, p less than 0.01). In addition, when the mean exercise results on the control test were compared to those on the postplacebo test on the same day, similar increases in exercise duration were observed at each end point (p less than 0.01). Individual differences of more than 2 minutes in exercise duration between the two control tests and between the control and postplacebo tests in time to angina, ST segment depression, and maximal exercise were frequent (26% to 33% of patients). However, the mean rate-pressure products on the two control tests performed on days 1 and 2 and on the control and postplacebo tests performed on the same day did not differ at angina, ST segment depression, and maximal exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

First transit and equilibrium radionuclide angiography in patients with inferior transmural myocardial infarction: criteria for the diagnosis of associated hemodynamically significant right ventricular infarction.

To define radionuclide criteria for identifying hemodynamically significant right ventricular infarction, 33 consecutive men with inferior transmural infarction were evaluated prospectively by right heart catheterization and first transit and equilibrium radionuclide angiography within 36 hours of the onset of symptoms. Hemodynamically significant right ventricular infarction was present in 6 of the 33 patients (Group I); the remaining 27 patients did not demonstrate the hemodynamics characteristic of right ventricular infarction (Group II). A right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40% separated Group I and Group II patients by equilibrium (p = 0.003) but not by first transit (p = NS) radionuclide angiography. However, a right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 35% separated Group I and II patients by both techniques (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, respectively). The presence of a right ventricular regional wall motion abnormality on either first transit or equilibrium radionuclide angiograms separated Group I and II patients (p less than 0.001). The combination of both a right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40% and a regional wall motion abnormality separated Group I and II patients using either equilibrium (p less than 0.001) or first transit (p = 0.02) radionuclide angiography. It is concluded that in patients with acute inferior transmural myocardial infarction, a right ventricular regional wall motion abnormality alone or in combination with a right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40% by either first transit or equilibrium radionuclide angiography is a useful criterion for establishing the presence of hemodynamically significant right ventricular infarction, while its absence argues against the diagnosis of right ventricular infarction.

Aged↗

Right ventricular infarction: identification by hemodynamic measurements before and after volume loading and correlation with noninvasive techniques.

To evaluate the potential occurrence of right ventricular infarction, 53 patients with acute inferior transmural myocardial infarction were studied within 36 hours of symptoms by right heart catheterization, equilibrium radionuclide angiography and two-dimensional echocardiography. Technetium-99m pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy was performed 3 days after the onset of symptoms. The hemodynamic standard for right ventricular infarction was defined as both a right atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg or more and a right atrial/pulmonary artery wedge pressure ratio of 0.8 or more. Eight (15%) of the 53 patients had hemodynamic measurements at rest characteristic of right ventricular infarction, and 6 (11%) additional patients met these criteria after volume loading (p less than 0.05). Nineteen (37%) of the 51 patients who had radionuclide angiography had right ventricular dysfunction manifested by both a reduced right ventricular ejection fraction (less than 40%) and right ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities (akinesia or dyskinesia). An abnormal radionuclide angiogram was observed in 12 of 13 patients with hemodynamic measurements indicating right ventricular infarction. In 12 patients with an abnormal radionuclide angiographic study, right ventricular ejection fraction improved 6 to 12 weeks after infarction (27 +/- 7 to 36 +/- 9%, p less than 0.01). Twenty-two (49%) of the 45 patients with adequate two-dimensional echocardiograms had a right ventricular regional wall motion abnormality. An abnormal two-dimensional echocardiogram was seen in 9 of 11 patients with hemodynamic measurements characteristic of right ventricular infarction. Technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy was positive for right ventricular infarction in 3 of 12 patients who had hemodynamic measurements indicating right ventricular infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Accurate estimates of absolute left ventricular volumes from equilibrium radionuclide angiographic count data using a simple geometric attenuation correction.

To simplify and clarify the methods of obtaining attenuation-corrected equilibrium radionuclide angiographic estimates of absolute left ventricular volumes, 27 patients who also had biplane contrast cineangiography were evaluated. Background-corrected left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic counts were obtained by semiautomated variable and hand-drawn regions of interest and were normalized to cardiac cycles processed, frame rate and blood sample counts. Blood sample counts were acquired on (d degree) and at a distance (d') from the collimator. A simple geometric attenuation correction was performed to obtain absolute left ventricular volume estimates. Using blood sample counts obtained at d degree or d', the attentuation-corrected radionuclide left ventricular end-diastolic volume estimates using both region of interest selection methods correlated with the cineangiographic end-diastolic volumes (r = 0.95 to 0.96). However, both mean radionuclide semiautomated variable left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (179 +/- 100 [+/- 1 standard deviation] and 185 +/- 102 ml, p less than 0.001) were smaller than the average cineangiographic end-diastolic volume (217 +/- 102 ml), and both mean hand-drawn left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (212 +/- 104 and 220 +/- 106 ml) did not differ from the average cineangiographic end-diastolic volume. Using the blood sample counts obtained at d degree or d', the attenuation-corrected radionuclide left ventricular end-systolic volume estimates using both region of interest selection methods correlated with the cineangiographic end-systolic volumes (r = 0.96 to 0.98). Also, using blood sample counts at d degree, the mean radionuclide semiautomated variable left ventricular end-systolic volume (116 +/- 98 ml, p less than 0.05) was less than the average cineangiographic end-systolic volume (128 +/- 98 ml), and the other radionuclide end-systolic volumes did not differ from the average cineangiographic end-systolic volume. Therefore, it is concluded that: 1) a simple geometric attenuation-correction of radionuclide left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic count data provides accurate estimates of biplane cineangiographic end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes; and 2) the hand-drawn region of interest selection method, unlike the semiautomated variable method that underestimates end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, provides more accurate estimates of biplane cineangiographic left ventricular volumes irrespective of the distance blood sample counts are acquired from the collimator.

Adult↗

Beneficial hemodynamic effects of intravenous and oral diltiazem in severe congestive heart failure.

Concern persists about the potential negative inotropic effects of calcium channel blockers in patients with severely depressed myocardial function. Therefore, intravenous diltiazem (100 to 200 micrograms/kg per min infusion) was administered for 40 minutes followed by oral diltiazem (90 to 120 mg/8 hours) for 24 hours to patients with advanced congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III to IV, mean ejection fraction 26 +/- 4 [SD]). Intravenous diltiazem (eight patients) increased cardiac index 20% (2.05 +/- 0.8 to 2.47 +/- 0.8 liters/min per m2, p less than 0.01), stroke volume index 50% (22 +/- 9 to 33 +/- 12 ml/m2, p less than 0.001) and stroke work index 27% (19 +/- 10 to 24 +/- 10 g-m/m2, p less than 0.05); while reducing heart rate 23% (97 +/- 18 to 75 +/- 11 beats/min, p less than 0.01), mean arterial pressure 18% (95 +/- 13 to 78 +/- 7 mm Hg) and pulmonary wedge pressure 34% (29 +/- 9 to 19 +/- 7 mm Hg), without altering maximal first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dtmax). Oral diltiazem (seven patients) produced equivalent hemodynamic effects. Transient junctional arrhythmias were observed in three of eight patients with intravenous diltiazem and one of seven patients with oral diltiazem. It is concluded that intravenous and short-term oral diltiazem improve left ventricular performance and reduce myocardial oxygen demand by heart rate and afterload reduction without significantly depressing contractile function in severe congestive heart failure. Caution should be exercised to avoid potential adverse, drug-induced electrophysiologic effects in such patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Evaluation of left ventricular contractile performance utilizing end-systolic pressure-volume relationships in conscious dogs.

The relationship between left ventricular end-systolic pressure and volume has been proposed as a model of left ventricular contraction which may be useful for quantifying inotropic state independent of preload and afterload. Although the model has been well-validated in isolated hearts, systematic evaluation in conscious animals with an intact peripheral circulation has been limited. Accordingly, we derived end-systolic pressure-volume relationships in twelve conscious dogs, chronically instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure and dimensions from endocardial ultrasonic crystals in three orthogonal axes. We examined the linearity of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, its response to alterations of inotropic state and the peripheral circulation, and the influence of beta-adrenergic reflexes. End-systolic pressure-volume relationships were constructed by linear regression of end-systolic pressure-volume coordinates produced by transient inferior vena caval occlusions during atrial pacing. The relations were highly linear; of 127 inferior vena caval occlusions, the correlation coefficient was 0.96 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- SD). The slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship was not significantly altered either by a moderate resistive afterload induced by angiotensin II infusion, or by a moderate increase in preload produced by dextran, but was increased from 4.7 +/- 2.3 to 6.5 +/- 2.2 mm Hg/ml (P less than 0.05) in response to the positive inotropic stimulus of dobutamine. The volume intercept at zero end-systolic pressure was unaffected by dextran or dobutamine, but was decreased from 12 +/- 8 to 5 +/- 11 ml (P less than 0.01) by angiotensin II infusion, indicating a leftward shift of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Comparative predictive value of ST-segment depression or angina during early and repeat postinfarction exercise tests.

To determine the relative value of electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-segment depression alone compared to angina alone for predicting multivessel coronary artery disease during early and repeat postinfarction exercise tests, we evaluated 93 postmyocardial infarction patients with modified treadmill exercise tests prior to hospital discharge (mean 14 +/- 2 days), and 36 of these 93 patients with repeat exercise tests at six weeks following infarction. It was concluded that angina alone or angina irrespective of the presence of ST-segment depression are better predictors of multivessel coronary artery disease than ECG ST-segment depression alone, and the persistence of ischemic abnormalities during repeat treadmill exercise tests following infarction is useful for confirming the presence of multivessel coronary artery disease.

Adult↗