Summary
The development of left ventricular contracture and myocardial perfusion defect was studied in isolated rat hearts during global ischaemia of 90 min duration. The left ventricular pressure was measured by a balloon catheter inserted into the ventricle and filled with water. The pressure reached the maximum at 16 min of ischaemia. The left ventricular volume and compliance (passive distensibility) were measured by the same balloon, the former by connecting the balloon to an open catheter and the latter by applying a constant additional volume (0.020 ml) into the balloon. The left ventricular volume and compliance both decreased progressively for 20 min of ischaemia after which they remained low for the rest of the observation period (90 min). The myocardial perfusability was tested by infusing 0.1 per cent sodium fluorescein in isotonic saline into the cannulated aortic root of the isolated heart preparation. The percentage perfused with the fluorescent tracer in horizontal frozen myocardial sections was estimated by point counting from colour photographs taken under ultraviolet light. The proportion of the perfused area decreased gradually from 100% at 0 min of ischaemia to 93, 67, 43 and 37% at 15, 30, 60 and 90 min of ischaemia, respectively. It was concluded that ischaemic contracture of the left ventricle is followed by the development of a myocardial perfusion defect in isolated ischaemic rat heart.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Apstein, C.S., Mueller, M., Hood, W.B., Jr.; Ventricular contracture and compliance changes with global ischemia and reperfusion, and their effect on coronary resistance in the rat. Circ. Res. 41, 206–217 (1977)
Baghirzade, M.F., Kirsch, U., Hauschild. U.: Capillareinengung bei anoxisch und ischämisch bedingtem Anstieg des Coronarwiderstandes im Meerschweinchenherzen. Virchows Arch. Abt. A Path. Anat. 351, 193–204 (1970)
Bendall, J.R.: Postmortem changes in muscle. In: The structure function of muscle, G.F. Bourne, (ed.), vol. 2, pp. 243–309. New York and London: Academic Press 1973
Camilleri, D., Joseph, D., Fabiani, J.N., Deloche, A., Schlumberger, M., Relland, J., Carpentier, A.: Microcircularoty changes following early reperfusion in experimental myocardial infarction. Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 369, 315–333 (1976)
Chalkley, H.W.: Method for the quantitative morphologic analysis of tissues. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 4, 47–53 (1943)
Fabiani, J.N.: The no-reflow phenomenon following early reperfusion of myocardial infarction and its prevention by various drugs. Heart Bull. 7, 134–142 (1976)
Gavin, J.B., Nevalainen, T.J., Seelye, R.N., Webster, V., Thomson, R.W.: An association between the onset of rigor and loss of vascular competence in early myocardial infarcts. Pathology 10, 219–225 (1978a)
Gavin, J.B., Seelye, R.N., Nevalainen, T.J., Armiger, L.C.: The effect of ischaemia on the function and the fine structure of the microvasculature of myocardium. Pathology 10, 103–111 (1978b)
Hauschild, U., Baghirzade, M.F., Kirsch, U.: Elektronenoptische Untersuchungen an Papillarmuskeln des Menschen und des Meerschweinchens. Virchows Arch. Abt. A Path. Anat. 351, 205–224 (1970)
Hearse, D.J., Garlick, P.B., Humphrey, S.M.: Ischemic contracture of the myocardium: Mechanisms and prevention. Am. J. Cardiol. 39, 986–993 (1977)
Katz, A.M., Tada, M.: The “stone heart”: A challenge to the biochemist. Am. J. Cardiol. 29, 578–580 (1972)
Katz, A.M., Tada, M.: The “stone heart” and other challenges to the biochemist. Am. J. Cardiol. 39, 1073–1077 (1977)
Kloner, R.A., Ganote, C.E., Jennings, R.B.: The “no-reflow” phenomenon after temporary coronary occlusion in the dog. J. Clin. Invest. 54, 1496–1508 (1974)
Langendorff, O.: Untersuchungen am überlebenden Saugethierherzen. Pflügers Arch. 61, 291–332 (1895)
Nevalainen, T.J., Gavin, J.B., Seelye, R.N., Whitehouse, S., Donnell, M.: The effect of rigor mortis on the passage of erythrocytes and fluid through the myocardium of isolated dog hearts. Pathology 10, 227–233 (1978)
Willerson, J.T., Watson, J.T., Hutton, I., Templeton, G.H., Fixler, D.E.: Reduced myocardial reflow and increased coronary vascular resistance following prolonged myocardial ischemia in the dog. Circ. Res. 36, 771–781 (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alanen, K., Nevalainen, T.J. & Lipasti, J. Ischaemic contracture and myocardial perfusion in isolated rat heart. Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 385, 143–149 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427400
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427400