Ventricular function. II. Quantitative relationship between coronary flow and ventricular function with observations on unilateral failure.

Left main coronary artery blood flow, cardiac output and pressures in the pulmonary artery, the aorta and both atria were continuously recorded in the dog. Restriction of left coronary flow increased left atrial pressure substantially, but right atrial pressure only slightly; left ventricular work, cardiac output and arterial pressui'e fell markedly. During restriction of left coronary flow, the left ventricular function curve (modified Starling curve), which does not normally show a descending limb even at high filling pressures, developed a pronounced descending limb. Unilateral ventricular failure was demonstrated.