Influence of acute alcohol intoxication on the left ventricular pressure-volume relations of the rat heart.

In 17 Wistar rats isovolumetric pressure-volume diagrams, the rate of pressure rise, and the resting tension curve were recorded prior to and during acute alcohol intoxication. Ethyl alcohol was infused intravenously; parameters were recorded at blood alcohol levels between 0.6% and 0.2%. The following results were obtained. 1. In agreement with other authors, even slight amounts of alcohol induced significant cardiodepression. 2. At high blood alcohol levels the isovolumetric pressure-volume relation is shifted to higher enddiastolic volumes and pressures. 3. The alcohol-induced cardiodepression is dose-dependent. There is a linear correlation between the maximum rate of pressure rise and the blood alcohol level.