Myocardial edema: comparison of effects on filling volume and stiffness of the left ventricle in rats and pigs.
BACKGROUND
This study compared the adverse effects of crystalloid-induced myocardial edema on left ventricular (LV) compliance in small and large hearts.


METHODS
Plegisol (289 mOsm/L) was perfused into the coronary arteries of pigs (n = 8) and 1:1 dilute Plegisol (145 mOsm/L) into the coronary arteries of rats (n = 6). Pressure-volume relations, heart weight, and water content were then determined. The pressure-volume relations were compared using an LV volume at a pressure of 10 mm Hg.


RESULTS
Edema in rats was associated with significant (p < 0.05) increases in heart weight (1.1 +/- 0.0 g versus 1.4 +/- 0.1 g [average +/- standard error of the mean]) and water content (76.8% +/- 0.4% versus 81.3% +/- 0.8%), but an increase in LV stiffness (7.91 +/- 0.52 versus 9.27 +/- 1.42) and a decrease in the LV volume at 10 mm Hg (0.25 +/- 0.02 mL versus 0.14 +/- 0.05 mL) were not statistically significant. Edema in pigs was associated with statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases in LV stiffness beta (0.050 +/- 0.004 versus 0.072 +/- 0.008), heart weight (207 +/- 8 g versus 274 +/- 9 g), and water content (79.8% +/- 0.6% versus 85.3% +/- 0.6%) and a significant decrease in the LV volume at 10 mm Hg (88.4 +/- 5.8 mL versus 60.4 +/- 6.8 mL).


CONCLUSIONS
Myocardial edema is associated with an increase in water content and LV stiffness and a decrease in the LV volume at 10 mm Hg in both species. In rats, however, the water content is smaller in the control state and a more hypotonic perfusate is needed to induce a given degree of edema.
Amirhamzeh
M M
MM
Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Hsu
D T
DT
Cabreriza
S E
SE
Jia
C X
CX
Spotnitz
H M
HM
D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates; D001834:Body Water; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions; D004489:Edema, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D008274:Magnesium; D009929:Organ Size; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013552:Swine; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions; C041711:St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride