Complete unloading alone may not adequately protect the left ventricle.
BACKGROUND
The benefit of left ventricular (LV) unloading for preserving LV function is commonly accepted, but its efficacy remains incompletely defined.


METHODS
We studied the influence of complete LV unloading on LV systolic and diastolic mechanics using an in situ isovolumic preparation with two different coronary perfusion pressures (CPPs) in 12 dogs during prolonged normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis of covariance with time as a covariate revealed that a high CPP (143 +/- 36 mm Hg; n = 6) was associated with better preservation of systolic LV function over time as assessed by LV end-systolic elastance (p < 0.001) and the end-systolic pressure-volume relation physiologic intercept (p < 0.001) compared with a moderate CPP (107 +/- 18 mm Hg; p < 0.005 versus a high CPP by t-test; n = 6). Dobutamine (2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) improved LV end-systolic elastance (p < 0.005) and LV physiologic intercept (p < 0.01) only in the high-CPP group. Conversely, impaired LV diastolic function (as measured by LV stiffness) was observed (p < 0.001) with a high CPP, but did not change with a moderate CPP.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations in canine hearts suggest that complete LV unloading may not preserve LV systolic function adequately over time when CPP is maintained in the accepted clinical range. A higher CPP is required to prevent deterioration over prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass times, but diastolic dysfunction still occurs.
Komeda
M
M
Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5247, USA.
DeAnda
A
A
Glasson
J R
JR
Bolger
A F
AF
Daughters
G T
GT
Ingels
N B
NB
Miller
D C
DC
D000818:Animals; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004285:Dogs; D004548:Elasticity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D011312:Pressure; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects; D017725:Ventricular Pressure
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004280:Dobutamine