title: Problems with use of the end systolic pressure-volume slope as an indicator of left ventricular contractility: an alternate method.
abstract: The use of end-systolic elastance as a parameter of left ventricular contractility is based on a theory put forward by Sagawa and is limited by an assumed linearity of the model for a time varying compliance. A major problem is the contractility-dependent curvilinearity of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ESPVR), which may result in intercept volumes that are below a passive unstretched volume. Based on the experimental data of Burkhoff et al., we demonstrate the reasons for the lack of correlation of the slope (k) of the end-systolic pressure (P(es))-volume (V(es)) relationship with ventricular contractility. A parabolic relation, P(es) = a x V(es)2 + b x V(es) + c, was used for approximation of the ESPVRs, as proposed by Burkhoff et al., and the slope (k = 2 x a x V(es) + b), together with the volume axis intercepts (V0), calculated for the tangents for all P(es)/V(es) points of the ESPVRs. The results demonstrate the volume range dependence of the slope and V0 of linear regression lines. However, intercepts of the ESPVRs tangents with a midrange constant pressure line (e.g., 80 mmHg or 100 mmHg) justify the use of the shift of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship as a parameter of left ventricular contractility. This method appears to be valid over a much wider range of end-systolic volumes than is the use of the slope alone.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krösl
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Abel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000503:physiopathology; D013599:Systole; D016276:Ventricular Function