Left ventricular dynamics during handgrip.

The effect of isometric exercise by handgrip on the ejection dynamics of the left ventricle, especially the relation between left ventricular stroke work index and end-diastolic pressure, was studied in 25 patients. In the patients with normal or nearly normal left hearts (group i), the response to handgrip was characterized by a significant increase of left ventricular stroke work index at an essentially unchanged end-diastolic pressure. In the patients with definitely increased LV enddiastolic pressure at rest (group 3), handgrip led to a significant increase of LV end-diastolic pressure associated with only a small and insignificant increase of stroke work index. This response is indicative of depressed left ventricular function. Patients with volume or pressure loaded