The effect of the pericardium on the end-systolic pressure-segment length relationship in the left ventricle was examined with an ultrasonic miniature gauge in open-chest dogs. In 12 dogs, blood was infused until left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure reached about 20 mm Hg, and then the pericardium was opened widely. In the other 12 dogs a pericardiectomy was performed without blood infu...

background: cardiac rehabilitation has been recognized as one of the most effective strategies for managing cardiovascular indices as well as controlling the cardiovascular risk profile, in particular after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (cabg). however, the effect of this program on right ventricular function following cabg is unclear. the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ...

In this study we introduce a new concept of systolic myocardial stiffness that extends the Suga-Sagawa maximum ventricular elastance concept to the myocardium. End-systole is defined as the time of maximum systolic myocardial stiffness (max Eav), which we examined for its load independence and sensitivity to changes in the inotropic state and to heart rate. Seven adult mongrel dogs were instrum...

The effects of an acute increase in left ventricular systolic pressure and the effects of an intravenous isoproterenoi infusion on myocardial (segment) lengthening rate and chamber (minor axis dimension) filling rate were examined hi 12 anesthetized dogs. Measurements of left ventricular systolic pressure (by micromanometer) and of segment length and chamber dimension transients (by ultrasonic ...