Cardiac function under myocardial ischemia.

The hemodynamic and metabolic changes, during coronary occlusion and during coronary perfusion with non-oxygenated solution, were studied in anesthetized dogs. Coronary perfusion with non-oxygenated Tyrode's solution was performed through a cannula inserted into the left circumflex coronary artery. Left ventricular peak systolic and end-diastolic pressure (LVSP and LVEDP) were measured, and peak LV-dp/dt/IIP calculated. Stroke volume was measured, and the changed of the local myocardial segment length were recorded by a strain gauge arch sutured on that portion of the myocardium perfused through the left circumflex coronary artery. The efflux of lactic acid into the venous blood from the myocardium perfused through the left circumflex coronary artery was calculated. After 10 sec of coronary occlusion, LVSP, SV, and peak LV-dp/dt/IIP declined; LVEDP elevated and a systolic bulge appeared on the local myocardial segment length curve. There was almost no change in these parameters during 3 min of perfusion with non-oxygenated solution. The efflux of lactic acid was more marked during the perfusion with non-oxygenated solution than during coronary occlusion. The delay of the depression of cardiac function during perfusion with the non-oxygenated solution could be related partly to the "wash-out" of metabolites, such as lactic acid, accumulated in the anoxic myocardium.