Inotropic response of the rat heart during development and regression of triiodothyronine-induced hypertrophy.

The inotropic response of rat hearts in vivo was tested by infusion of 2 mmol/kg/h calcium chloride after 14 days of daily 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) treatment and 14 days following discontinuation of T3 treatment. The hyperthyroid state was characterized by marked cardiac hypertrophy (57% increase in the heart weight/body weight ratio) which was more pronounced in the right ventricle (63% increase). Heart rate and cardiac output index were elevated by 56 and 63%, respectively, and total peripheral resistance was reduced by 40%. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) was elevated by 15%, the maximal rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (LV dp/dtmax) by 106%, and LV pressure-volume performance by 192%. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was elevated by 71%, RV dp/dtmax by 126%, and RV pressure-volume performance by 371%. Intravenous infusion of calcium induced an elevation in heart rate and LV dp/dtmax, the increase of the latter was less pronounced than in the control heart. After 14 days subsequent to discontinuation of T3 treatment, there was a regression of cardiac hypertrophy. However, the LV was still hypertrophied by 12% and the RV by 24%. Heart rate and contractility were normal. The pressure-volume performance of both LV and RV was still enhanced by 24 and 18%, respectively. The inotropic response of the LV to calcium infusion was similar to that of the normal heart. Thus, 14 days after discontinuation of T3 treatment, the regression of cardiac hypertrophy was not complete, although heart rate and contractility as well as the inotropic response to calcium, were normal. The remaining cardiac hypertrophy correlated with the still existing elevation in the pressure-volume performance.