• J Gorcsan, J A Romand, W A Mandarino, L G Deneault, and M R Pinsky.
• Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania.
• J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1994 Jan 1; 23 (1): 242-52.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate left ventricular performance by on-line pressure-area relations using echocardiographic automated border detection in the in situ canine heart in a manner similar to pressure-volume analyses.BackgroundEchocardiographic automated border detection can measure ventricular cavity area as an index of volume and may be interfaced with pressure to construct pressure-area loops on-line.MethodsEight anesthetized open chest dogs had simultaneous measurement of ventricular pressure, aortic flow and midventricular short-axis area. Pressure-area loops were constructed by a computer workstation interfaced with the ultrasound system. Stroke area (Maximal area--Minimal area) and stroke force (integral of P dA [P = pressure; A = area]) values during inferior vena cava (n = 8) and aortic (n = 4) occlusions were compared with stroke volume and estimates of stroke work, respectively. Inotropic modulation was induced with dobutamine infusion (2 to 5 micrograms/kg body weight per min), followed by propranolol infusion (2 to 5 mg). End-systolic and maximal elastance and preload recruitable stroke force (stroke force versus end-diastolic area) were derived for each period.ResultsChanges in stroke area and stroke force were significantly correlated with changes in stroke volume and estimates of stroke work during caval occlusion (n = 8) (r = 0.87 +/- 0.02, SEE = 8 +/- 1% and r = 0.90 +/- 0.03, SEE = 8 +/- 2%, respectively). In dogs with aortic occlusion (n = 4), changes in stroke area significantly correlated with changes in stroke volume for pooled data (r = 0.84, SEE = 8%, y = 1.0x + 3). Ventricular performance increased with dobutamine infusion (n = 7): end-systolic elastance 30 +/- 11 to 67 +/- 24 mm Hg/cm2 (p < 0.02 vs. control values); maximal elastance 37 +/- 11 to 82 +/- 26 mm Hg/cm2 (p < 0.02 vs. control values); preload recruitable stroke force 81 +/- 24 to 197 +/- 92 mm Hg (p < 0.02 vs. control values). Decreases occurred with propranolol infusion (n = 5) end-systolic elastance 20 +/- 4 to 13 +/- 4 mm Hg/cm2 (p < 0.002 vs. control values); maximal elastance 29 +/- 8 to 15 +/- 5 mm Hg/cm2 (p < 0.002 vs. control values); preload recruitable stroke force 66 +/- 14 to 40 +/- 9 mm Hg (p < 0.002 vs. control values).ConclusionsOn-line pressure-area relations are a potentially useful means to assess left ventricular performance in a manner that is quantitatively similar to the predicted responses of pressure-volume relations.

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