INFLUENCE OF ALTERATIONS IN CARDIAC LOADING CONDITIONS ON INDEXES OF MYOCARDIAL-CONTRACTILITY IN ANESTHETIZED DOG

Abstract

1. An online analogue computer was used to measure myocardial contractility as the ratio dP/dt/IIT where dP/dt is maximum rate of change of left ventricular pressure and IIT is integrated isometric tension. 2. In the open thorax anaesthetized dog, max (dP/dt) and dP/dt/IIT were compared during alterations in preload, by partial vena caval occlusion, and changes in after‐load obtained by acetylcholine injections and by partial occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta. 3. A fall in preload lowered max (dP/dt) but did not alter dP/dt/IIT A rise and fall in afterload produced respectively an increase and decrease in max (dP/dt) but dp/dt/IIT was unaltered. 4. From expanded time base recordings..