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Time course of systolic loading is an important determinant of ventricular relaxation.

We studied the dependency of left ventricular relaxation on the timing of an abrupt increase in systolic load. In 10 canine isolated heart-lung preparations, a load step of 15 mmHg was imposed at specific intervals throughout systole, and the time of loading was defined as the interval from the R wave to the completion of the load step (R-load interval). Preload was held constant. The right atrium was paced at a cycle length of 450 ms. The decay of left ventricular pressure during isovolumic relaxation was described by a single exponential time constant (Texp). Load effects on isovolumic relaxation were expressed as a percent change in Texp as compared with Texp of the beat preceding the load intervention. Loads imposed early in systole consistently prolonged Texp [mean delta Texp = +17.01 +/- 1.64% (SE) for R-load intervals less than or equal to 120 ms]. Load changes late in systole consistently abbreviated Texp [mean delta Texp = -9.49 +/- 0.86% (SE) for R-load intervals greater than or equal to 130 ms]. The transition from augmentation to diminution of Texp always occurred when the R-load interval was 120-130 ms. The mean time interval of electromechanical systole for the test beats was not significantly different (P greater than or equal to 0.05) from that of the control beats [R-load intervals less than or equal to 120: test = 247.0 +/- 27.8 (SD) ms; control = 246.6 +/- 26.8 (SD) ms] [R-load intervals greater than or equal to 130: test = 243.3 +/- 29.1 (SD) ms; control = 243.8 +/- 28.4 (SD) ms].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of afterload resistance on end-systolic pressure-thickness relationship.

The influence of afterload resistance on the end-systolic pressure-thickness relationship (ESPTR) was assessed in six isolated canine left ventricles made to eject into a simulated arterial system. An increase of simulated peripheral resistance from 1.5 to 6.0 mmHg.s.ml-1 resulted in a modest but significant shift of the ESPTR upward and to the right, indicating augmented contractile performance. A relationship between the extent of systolic wall thickening and end-systolic performance was also observed: increased wall thickening impairing and decreased wall thickening enhancing end-systolic performance. The dependence of end-systolic performance on wall thickening history in this setting is consistent with shortening deactivation. This phenomenon appears to account at least in part for the observed shift in the ESPTR with altered afterload resistance.

Animals↗

Evaluation of systolic effectiveness and its determinants: pressure/midwall-volume relations.

It is generally agreed that systolic performance of a heart chamber is the fractional inward displacement of its wall during contraction and that this depends on preload, afterload, and characteristics of the relation between afterload and end-ejection dimensions. However, there is no consensus on the details of this statement. How can one define and identify the wall element, the displacement of which best expresses performance? What is preload? What parameters best characterize the relation between afterload and end-ejection dimensions? Dividing a thick-wall compliance equation by a thick-wall pressure equation reveals the midwall element, the normalized displacements of which depend consistently on normalized pressure changes according to wall properties regardless of wall-to-cavity ratio. This midwall element's reference dimensions best express chamber size, its reference-normalized dimensions best express wall stretch or distension, and its fractional displacements best express systolic performance. The hydraulically unloaded state is a poor reference for expressing size, normalizing dimensions, and defining chamber characteristics; it is inaccessible, immeasurable, acutely variable, and not a mechanically unloaded state. Therefore stiffness is neither a characteristic nor an expression of systolic vigor. A better reference state is the "average basal end-diastolic distension to which the chamber is accustomed"; it is accessible, measurable, and a state where stretches throughout the wall are near a characteristic value. End-diastolic midwall dimension relative to its average basal value is a valid expression of preload. There are two main hydrodynamic characteristics expressing systolic vigor: 1) peak isovolumic pressure at reference distension and 2) displacement from reference distension if afterload were zero. An additional characteristic is shape of the pressure-volume relation. It appears possible to account for systolic performance in terms of preload, afterload, and these hydrodynamic characteristics.

Animals↗

Does systolic subepicardial perfusion come from retrograde subendocardial flow?

To examine the influence of cardiac contraction on systolic coronary flow and transmural blood flow distribution, we measured phasic blood flow velocity in distal extramural coronary arteries by Doppler velocimeter and regional myocardial blood flow by radiolabeled microspheres while the heart was beating and during prolonged diastoles in 12 dogs. A servo-controlled coronary perfusion circuit allowed mean coronary pressure to be selected and maintained during beating and diastolic conditions. In epicardial arteries just proximal to their entrance into the myocardium, blood flow was either negligible or reverse in direction during systole. When the heart was beating, subepicardial blood flow was 24.2 +/- 12.3% higher than during asystole (5.05 +/- 0.91 and 4.11 +/- 0.79 ml.min-1.g-1 for beating and prolonged diastoles, respectively; P less than 0.01). In the subendocardium, flow was 49.8 +/- 14.7% lower in the beating condition than during prolonged diastoles (4.23 +/- 1.46 and 8.26 +/- 1.71 ml.min-1.g-1 for beating and asystole, respectively; P less than 0.01). When heart rate was increased stepwise from 60 to 150 beats/min, subendocardial flow fell approximately linearly; flow to the superficial layer was relatively unaffected. In beating hearts, lowering mean left main coronary artery (LMCA) pressure from 80 to 50 mmHg resulted in more systolic reverse flow and a fall in inner-to-outer flow ratio from 0.82 +/- 0.18 to 0.66 +/- 0.34 (P less than 0.05). Because mean LMCA pressure was held constant when the heart was stopped, differences in regional blood flow between beating and diastolic conditions were primarily due to cardiac contraction. Because little or no blood entered the myocardium from the extramural arteries during systole, we conclude that the decrease in subendocardial flow and the increase in subepicardial flow were caused by retrograde pumping of blood from the deep layer to the superficial layer of the left ventricle. Systolic retrograde flow to the subepicardium may help explain this layer's relative protection from ischemia.

Animals↗

Temporal sequence of endotoxin-induced systolic and diastolic myocardial depression in rabbits.

Twelve anesthetized rabbits received endotoxin (175 +/- 38 micrograms/kg i.v., mean +/- SD) to evaluate the temporal sequence of alterations in left ventricular (LV) function. LV volume was calculated from LV minor- and long-axis diameters, and wall thickness was measured with sonomicrometers. Hypotension, acidosis, and hypoxia were immediately corrected to eliminate these causes of myocardial depression. LV dilation developed early (1.2 +/- 0.5 h) with a significant (21 +/- 23%) increase in end-diastolic volume measured at a LV end-diastolic pressure of 5 +/- 6 mmHg. The LV stiffness did not change, and the LV dilation did not progressively worsen. Significant systolic depression developed later (2.8 +/- 1.0 h) with a 32 +/- 22% increase in end-systolic volume measured at a LV end-systolic pressure of 69 +/- 9 mmHg. The late preterminal phase (4.1 +/- 0.8 h) was characterized by a progressive increase in end-systolic volume (73 +/- 41% above control) and a significant (53 +/- 34%) increase in tau, the time constant of LV pressure fall. Diastolic abnormalities (LV dilation and increased tau) were not attributable to depressed contractility or altered hemodynamics. We conclude that endotoxin impairs systolic and diastolic LV function with distinct differences in time course. This suggests that contractility, relaxation, and passive LV properties are impaired by different endotoxin-mediated pathways and/or have different sensitivities to endotoxin.

Animals↗

Changes in contractility and afterload have only slight effects on subendocardial systolic flow impediment.

To test the hypothesis that contractility did not greatly influence systolic impediment to subendocardial flow we perfused the coronary artery at 70 mmHg and altered aortic pressure in 7 dogs and contractility in another 7. We measured myocardial systolic flow impediment (SFI) by comparing regional flows while beating and during asystole. Cardiac contraction impeded 29% of subendocardial asystolic flow, which was not affected by either intervention. In subepicardium, contraction increased flow by 25%, but dobutamine impeded systolic flow. Subepicardial SFI was only 16% of subendocardial SFI. Dobutamine slightly decreased estimated percent systolic myocardial blood flow (%SMBF) in subendocardium (+/- 12%) but decreased subepicardial %SMBF (45.5 to 17.4%). Phasic coronary flow pulsatility increased more with dobutamine than increased afterload, and pulsatility and SFI correlated only in subepicardium. Systolic-to-total coronary flow ratio and %SMBF did not correlate closely in subendocardium. SFI was most prominent in the subendocardium, whereas subepicardial SFI mainly determined epicardial coronary flow pulsatility. We conclude that the effects of contractility changes differ when evaluating regional SFI vs. phasic flow pulsatility.

Animals↗

Modeling pressure-flow relations in cardiac muscle in diastole and systole.

Pressure-flow relations were calculated for a symmetrical, maximally dilated, crystalloid-perfused coronary vascular network embedded in cardiac muscle in (static) diastole and (static) systole at two muscle lengths: slack length and 90% of maximal muscle length (Lmax). The calculations are based on the "time-varying elastance concept." That is, the calculations include the mechanical properties of the vascular wall and the (varying) mechanical properties of the myocardial tissue (in cross-fiber direction). We found that, at any given perfusion pressure, coronary flow is smaller in systole than in diastole. Relative reduction in vascular cross-sectional area, which forms the basis of flow impediment, was largest for the smallest arterioles. At a constant perfusion pressure of 62.5 mmHg, the transition from (static) diastole to (static) systole at constant muscle length ("isometric contraction") was calculated to reduce flow by 74% (from 18.9 to 5.0 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)) and by 64% (from 12.6 to 4.6 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)) for the muscle fixed at slack length and 90% of Lmax, respectively. At this perfusion pressure, contraction with 14% shortening (from 90% of Lmax in diastole to slack length in systole) was calculated to reduce flow by 61% (from 12.6 to 5.0 ml x min(-1) x g(-1)). Increasing muscle length from slack length to 90% of Lmax decreases coronary flow by 34% in diastole and by 8% in systole. We conclude that modeling cardiac contraction on the basis of the time-varying elastic properties of the myocardial tissue can explain coronary flow impediment and that contractions, with or without shortening, have a larger effect on coronary flow than changes in muscle length.

Animals↗

LV systolic performance improves with development of hypertrophy after transverse aortic constriction in mice.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is an effective technique for inducing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in mice. With the use of transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler measurements, we studied the effects of an acute increase in pressure overload on LV contractile performance and peak systolic wall stress index (WSI) at early time points after TAC and the time course of the development of LV hypertrophy in mice. The LV mass index was similar between TAC and sham-operated mice at postoperative day 1 but progressively increased in TAC mice by day 10. There was no further increase in the LV mass index between postoperative days 10 and 20. On day 1, whereas peak systolic WSI increased significantly, the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and percent fractional shortening (%FS) decreased in TAC mice compared with sham-operated mice. By day 10, peak systolic WSI, LVEF, and %FS had recovered to baseline levels and were not significantly different between postoperative days 10 and 20. Thus LV systolic performance in mice declines immediately after TAC, associated with increased peak systolic WSI, but recovers to baseline levels with the development of compensatory LV hypertrophy over 10-20 days.

Animals↗

Quantification of left ventricular systolic function by tissue Doppler echocardiography: added value of measuring pre- and postejection velocities in ischemic myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a potentially powerful method for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This study was designed to investigate how velocity patterns in ischemic myocardium relates to regional function, and to determine whether timing of velocity measurements relative to ejection and isovolumic phases may increase the diagnostic power of TDI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 17 open-chest anesthetized dogs we measured pressures by micromanometers, myocardial longitudinal segment lengths by sonomicrometry, and velocities by TDI. Myocardial longitudinal strain rate was calculated as velocity divided by distance to the left ventricle apex. Moderate ischemia (left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis) caused parallel reductions in regional systolic shortening by sonomicrometry (P<0.05) and in peak systolic velocities by TDI (P<0.05). Severe ischemia (left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion), however, induced systolic lengthening by sonomicrometry (P<0.001), whereas peak TDI velocity during ejection remained positive (P<0.05). When velocities during isovolumic contraction (IVC) and isovolumic relaxation (IVR) were included, TDI correlated well with sonomicrometry; ie, systolic lengthening occurred predominantly during IVC and was evident as negative velocities (r=0.70, P<0.001), and postsystolic shortening during IVR (r=0.72, P<0.001) as positive velocities. In nonischemic myocardium peak systolic strain rates were more uniform than velocities. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that peak ejection velocity is an inappropriate measure of function in severely ischemic myocardium. Dyskinetic myocardium deforms predominantly during the isovolumic phases, and therefore IVC and IVR velocities are better markers of function. When isovolumic as well as ejection velocities are measured, TDI has excellent ability to quantify regional myocardial dysfunction. Longitudinal strain rates are more uniform than velocities and may further improve the diagnostic power of TDI.

Animals↗

Determinants of elevated pulse pressure in middle-aged and older subjects with uncomplicated systolic hypertension: the role of proximal aortic diameter and the aortic pressure-flow relationship.

BACKGROUND: Elevated pulse pressure (PP) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and is thought to be secondary to elastin fragmentation with secondary collagen deposition and stiffening of the aortic wall, leading to a dilated, noncompliant vasculature. METHODS AND RESULTS: By use of calibrated tonometry and pulsed Doppler, arterial stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics were assessed in 128 subjects with uncomplicated systolic hypertension (supine systolic pressure > or =140 mm Hg off medication) and 30 normotensive control subjects of comparable age and gender. Pulse-wave velocity was assessed from tonometry and body surface measurements. Characteristic impedance (Zc) was calculated from the ratio of change in carotid pressure and aortic flow in early systole. Effective aortic diameter was assessed by use of the water hammer equation. Hypertensives were heavier (P<0.001) and had higher PP (P<0.001), which was attributable primarily to higher Zc (P<0.001), especially in women. Pulse-wave velocity was higher in hypertensives (P=0.001); however, this difference was not significant after adjustment for differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P>0.153), whereas increased Zc remained highly significant (P<0.001). Increased Zc in women and in hypertensive men was attributable to decreased effective aortic diameter, with no difference in wall stiffness at comparable MAP and body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated PP in systolic hypertension was independent of MAP and was attributable primarily to elevated Zc and reduced effective diameter of the proximal aorta. These findings are not consistent with the hypothesis of secondary aortic degeneration, dilation, and wall stiffening but rather suggest that aortic function may play an active role in the pathophysiology of systolic hypertension.

Adult↗

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide to detect preclinical ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical systolic or diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We postulated that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) might serve as a biomarker for preclinical ventricular dysfunction (PCVD) but that the discriminatory values for BNP may vary with age and sex. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured BNP, systolic and diastolic ventricular function, and clinical parameters in 2042 randomly selected residents of Olmsted County, Minn, aged 45 years or older. For preclinical systolic dysfunction, the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve were higher for those with more severe (0.82 to 0.92) than any (0.51 to 0.74) systolic dysfunction and were similar in men and women and in younger and older persons. For preclinical diastolic dysfunction, the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve were higher for those with moderate-to-severe (0.74 to 0.79) than any (0.52 to 0.68) diastolic dysfunction and were similar regardless of age or sex. Optimal discriminatory values of BNP varied with age and sex. Considering the prevalence of preclinical systolic or diastolic dysfunction and the predictive characteristics observed, using BNP to screen for PCVD would necessitate echo in 10% to 40% of those screened, with most confirmatory echocardiograms being negative, and would miss 10% to 60% of those affected. CONCLUSIONS: BNP is a suboptimal screening test for PCVD in the population.

Age Factors↗

Transmural distribution of three-dimensional systolic strains in stunned myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Regional function in stunned myocardium is usually thought to be more depressed in the endocardium than the epicardium. This has been attributed to the greater loss of blood flow at the endocardium during ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured transmural distributions of 3D systolic strains relative to local myofiber axes in open-chest anesthetized dogs before 15 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and during 2 hours of reperfusion. During ischemia, regional myocardial blood flow was reduced 84% at the endocardium and 32% at the epicardium (P<0.005, n=7), but changes in end-systolic fiber length from baseline were transmurally uniform. Relative to baseline, radial segments in stunned tissue were significantly thinner at the endocardium than the epicardium at end systole (24+/-5% versus 16+/-3%; P<0.05, n=8), consistent with previous reports. Unlike radial and cross-fiber segments, however, the increase of end-systolic fiber lengths in stunned myocardium had no significant transmural gradient (23+/-8% epicardium versus 21+/-4% endocardium). We also observed significant 3D diastolic dysfunction in the ischemic-reperfused region transmurally. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in the dog results in a significant transmural gradient of dysfunction between epicardial and endocardial layers in radial and cross-fiber segments, but not for fiber segments, despite a gradient in blood flow reduction during ischemia. Perhaps systolic fiber dysfunction rather than the degree of perfusion deficit during the preceding ischemic period may be the main determinant of myocardial dysfunction during reperfusion.

Animals↗

A comparison of simultaneous measurements of systolic function in the baboon by electromagnetic flowmeter and high frame rate ECG-gated blood pool scintigraphy.

Left ventricular (LV) systolic timing and relative volume variations were simultaneously measured by electromagnetic flowmeter (EMF) and high frame rate ECG-gated blood pool scintigraphy in five baboons. No significant differences (p greater than 0.1, paired t test) were observed in the time (from R wave) to peak aortic flow (maximum LV ejection rate), time to cessation of aortic flow (end-systole) or in the duration of aortic flow (LV ejection time). A small (approximately 15 msec) but significant systematic difference (p less than 0.02) was noted in the time to onset of aortic flow. The shape of each scintigraphic time-activity curve during systole was compared to an equivalent curve synthesized from 10 EMF flow profiles obtained in the same baboon. Comparison of these paired curves over systolic ejection yielded an average correlation or r = 0.95 (range 0.90--0.99). The ratio of peak flow to stroke volume determined from these data did not differ significantly (p greater than 0.05). In the baboon, quantitative high temporal resolution ECG-gated scintigraphy appears to reflect closely the detailed timing and relative magnitude variation of LV volume during the entire period of systolic ejection. We conclude that the assumptions underlying the scintigraphic method are valid in the baboon during the ejection interval.

Animals↗

Two-dimensional echocardiography in experimental coronary stenosis. II. Relationship between systolic wall thinning and regional myocardial perfusion in severe coronary stenosis.

To determine if there is a quantitative relationship between systolic contraction abnormalities (demonstrated by two-dimensional echocardiography) and reduced myocardial perfusion in a setting of moderate and severe coronary stenosis, we created 70% or 90% reduction in circumflex coronary artery diameter in open-chest dogs. Transient ischemia was induced by superimposing increased myocardial oxygen requirements (i.v. isoproterenol, aortic constriction) in the presence of the stenosis or by decreased coronary perfusion (lowering arterial pressure with i.v. nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or hemorrhage). Acute systolic wall thinning show by two-dimensional echocardiography or by implanted myocardial sonomicrometers was taken as functional evidence of myocardial ischemia. Myocardial perfusion was determined by radiolabeled microspheres when wall thinning was apparent. Systolic wall thinning could not be induced by these interventions when the degree of coronary stenosis was only 70%. Systolic wall thinning occurred only when increased myocardial oxygen requirements or decreased aortic pressure were superimposed on 90% coronary stenosis. Under these conditions, myocardial perfusion was reduced to 28 +/- 27 ml/100 g/min (mean +/- SD), 15--25% of control. Aortic diastolic pressure was a major determinant of ischemia in that contraction abnormalities produced by a 90% stenosis and vasodilators or hemorrhage could be acutely reversed by superimposing acute aortic constriction, which elevated arterial pressure; myocardial perfusion increased correspondingly. Thus, the demonstration of transient systolic wall thinning by two-dimensional echocardiography during a stressful intervention indicated that severe coronary stenosis was present, and that the perfusion of the acutely dyskinetic myocardial area was 25% of control or less.

Animals↗

Altered left ventricular mechanics in patients with valvular aortic stenosis and coarction of the aorta: effects on systolic performance and late outcome.

Despite similar degrees of left ventricular systolic hypertension shortening characteristics are usually greater in patients with congenital valvular aortic stenosis (VAS) than in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA). We hypothesized that these dissimilarities were caused by differences in myocardial mechanics rather than by alterations in contractile state. Eleven patients with VAS (ages 6 to 41 years) and 11 with CoA were matched for age, body surface area, and peak systolic ejection gradient. Results were compared with data from 22 normal subjects matched for age and body surface area. Echocardiographic tracings of the left ventricle were recorded in conjunction with left ventricular pressure measurements (VAS) or calibrated carotid pulse tracings (CoA and normal subjects). Peak and end-systolic wall stresses as well as left ventricular shortening fraction (% delta D) and rate-corrected velocity of fiber shortening (Vcfc) were calculated. No differences for left ventricular dimensions, heart rate or peak wall stress were present. Ventricular peak systolic pressures and wall mass were higher for the patients with VAS or CoA than for the normal subjects (p less than .001). These parameters did not differ between the VAS and CoA groups. The patients with VAS had higher % delta D and Vcfc than either the CoA or normal groups (p less than .01). Afterload, as quantified by end-systolic stress, was 41% lower than normal for the patients with VAS (p less than .001) and 13% higher than normal for those with CoA (p less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Change in aortic end-systolic pressure by alterations in loading sequence and its relation to left ventricular isovolumic relaxation.

BACKGROUND: A brief, sustained constriction of the descending and the ascending aortas produces systolic loads at different times during ejection, and descending intervention prolongs left ventricular (LV) relaxation more than ascending intervention. Although alterations in the sequence of loading the ventricle have been suggested as a cause of such load-induced relaxation abnormalities, the relation of the loading system to relaxation has been unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: LV peak systolic pressure was elevated by approximately 40 mm Hg by constricting the descending and ascending aortas in seven anesthetized dogs. The descending intervention increased aortic end-systolic pressure (AoESP, 110.4 +/- 9.3 to 150.8 +/- 11.5 mm Hg; P < .05), reduced aortic flow (P < .05), and prolonged LV relaxation (time constant [T], 31.9 +/- 4.4 to 69.8 +/- 12.8 ms; P < .05). LV ejection time was reduced, but the systolic time interval was unchanged. In contrast, ascending intervention decreased AoESP (111.9 +/- 11.4 to 101.5 +/- 10.3 mm Hg; P < .05), reduced aortic flow (P < .05), and prolonged T (31.2 +/- 5.4 to 42.2 +/- 8.3 ms; P < .05), whereas ejection time and systolic time interval increased (both P < .01). Prolongation of T was significantly greater during descending intervention (P < .05) and was associated with an increase in AoESP during descending intervention but a decrease in AoESP during ascending intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Descending intervention induced greater prolongation of T than ascending intervention. Prolongation of T was closely related to an increase in AoESP in the descending intervention but a decrease in AoESP in the ascending intervention. These data suggest that not only the loading sequence but also the pressure level at the onset of isovolumic relaxation determines LV relaxation.

Animals↗

Effects of the intracoronary infusion of cocaine on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in humans.

BACKGROUND: In dogs, a large amount of intravenous cocaine causes a profound deterioration of left ventricular (LV) systolic function and an increase in LV end-diastolic pressure. This study was done to assess the influence of a high intracoronary cocaine concentration on LV systolic and diastolic function in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 20 patients (14 men and 6 women aged 39 to 72 years) referred for cardiac catheterization for the evaluation of chest pain, we measured heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, LV pressure and its first derivative (dP/dt), and LV volumes and ejection fraction before and during the final 2 to 3 minutes of a 15-minute intracoronary infusion of saline (n=10, control subjects) or cocaine hydrochloride 1 mg/min (n=10). No variable changed with saline. With cocaine, the drug concentration in blood obtained from the coronary sinus was 3.0+/-0.4 (mean+/-SD) mg/L, similar in magnitude to the blood cocaine concentration reported in abusers dying of cocaine intoxication. Cocaine induced no significant change in heart rate, LV dP/dt (positive or negative), or LV end-diastolic volume, but it caused an increase in systolic and mean arterial pressures, LV end-diastolic pressure, and LV end-systolic volume, as well as a decrease in LV ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: In humans, the intracoronary infusion of cocaine sufficient in amount to achieve a high drug concentration in coronary sinus blood causes a deterioration of LV systolic and diastolic performance.

Adult↗

A quantitative trait loci-specific gene-by-sex interaction on systolic blood pressure among American Indians: the Strong Heart Family Study.

Age-adjusted systolic blood pressure is higher in males than females. Genetic factors may account for this sex-specific variation. To localize sex-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing blood pressure, we conducted a genome scan of systolic blood pressure, in males and females, separately and combined, and tested for aggregate and QTL-specific genotype-by-sex interaction in American Indian participants of the Strong Heart Family Study. Blood pressure was measured 3 times and the average of the last 2 measures was used for analyses. Systolic blood pressure was adjusted for age and antihypertensive treatment within study center. We performed variance component linkage analysis in the full sample and stratified by sex among 1168 females and 726 males. Marker allele frequencies were derived using maximum likelihood estimates based on all individuals, and multipoint identity-by-descent sharing was estimated using Loki. We detected suggestive evidence of a QTL influencing systolic blood pressure on chromosome 17 at 129 cM between markers D17S784 and D17S928 (logarithm of odds [LOD] = 2.4). This signal substantially improved when accounting for QTL-specific genotype-by-sex interaction (P = 0.04), because we observed an LOD score of 3.3 for systolic blood pressure in women on chromosome 17 at 136 cM. The magnitude of the linkage signal on chromosome 17q25.3 was slightly attenuated when participants taking antihypertensive medications were excluded, although suggestive evidence for linkage was still identified (LOD = 2.8 in women). Accounting for interaction with sex improved our ability to detect QTLs and demonstrated the importance of considering genotype-by-sex interaction in our search for blood pressure genes.

Adult↗