Correlation between the linearized Frank-Starling relationship and myocardial energetics in the ejecting heart: afterload independence and sensitivity to inotropic state

Previous studies suggest that the relationship between end-diastolic volume and stroke work calculated as the area of the pressure-volume work loop is linear, afterload independent, and sensitive to the inotropic state. The correlation of myocardial oxygen consumption with this stroke work could provide an integrated measure of cardiac performance and metabolism to assess perturbations induced by ischemia or pathologic loading conditions. Fourteen canine hearts instrumented for computerized acquisition of instantaneous pressure-volume data and quantitation of myocardial oxygen consumption were studied during progressive volume infusion on right heart bypass (1.5 to 3.5 L/min in 250 ml/min increments). Data acquisition both in the control state and during continuous infusion of calcium chloride (0.03 mEq/kg/min, n = 7) to increase contractility or phenylephrine (2 μg/kg/min, n = 7) to alter afterload facilitated the construction of stroke work versus end-diastolic volume and myocardial oxygen consumption versus stroke work relationships by least-squares regression analysis. The cardiac mechanics assessment for this group of dogs confirmed a highly linear (mean r = 0.984) work versus preload relationship that was unaffected by changes in afterload but sensitive to increased contractility (71% increase in slope). The myocardial energetics correlation was also linear (mean r = 0.939) and demonstrated an increased oxygen utilization characteristic of the higher inotropic state produced by calcium chloride infusion (0.047 ± 0.003 versus 0.070 ± 0.008 ml oxygen/beat/100 gm left ventricular weight, p = 0.008). Although phenylephrine administration produced variable perturbations of myocardial oxygen consumption, the energetics relationship for this subgroup was not statistically altered by changes in afterload. The features of this cardiac energetics assessment suggest its value as a biological marker to evaluate the postischemic, hypertrophied, or failing heart.