The diastolic mechanical properties of the intact left ventricle

J. S. Rankin, C. E. Arentzen, W. S. Ring, C. H. Edwards IInd, P. A. McHale, R. W. Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies have improved our understanding of the diastolic mechanical properties of intact myocardium. In order to obtain meaningful data, pressures external to the heart should be measured, forces and dimensions should be properly normalized, and measurements should be obtained over a wide range of ventricular volumes. Diastolic filling appears to be a passive phenomenon and is not affected significantly by systolic relaxation or mural inertia. Thus, the relationship between diastolic myocardial force and length is determined primarily by the elastic properties of the muscle and by viscous properties during dynamic filling. In the absence of ischemia, the diastolic mechanics of intact myocardium are not altered significantly by acute physiological interventions. Chronic changes in diastolic properties do occur, however, and are fundamentally important to the regulation of cardiac function. Myocardial creep induced by chronically elevated diastolic pressure produces ventricular dilatation, thereby altering chamber geometry, systolic loading, and overall global function. Thus, a detailed analysis of diastolic mechanical properties is essential to the assessment of the performance characteristics of the intact heart.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)141-147
Number of pages7
JournalFederation Proceedings
Volume39
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1980

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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