Hemodynamic determinants of the maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure.

WALLACE, ANDREW G., N. SHELDON SKINNER, JR., AND JERE H. MITCHELL. Hemodynamic determinants of the maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure. Am, J. Physiol. 205 (I) : 30-36. 1963. -The maximal rate of left ventricular pressure development (max. dp/dt) was measured in an arenexic preparation which permitted independent control of stroke volume, heart rate, and aortic pressure. Max. dp/dt increased as a result of elevating ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Elevating mean aortic pressure and increasing heart rate each resulted in a higher max. dp/dt without a change in ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Aortic diastolic pressure was shown to influence max. dp/dt in the absence of changes in ventricular end-diastolic pressure or contractility. Increasing contractility increased max. dp/dt while changing the manner of ventricular activation decreased max. dp/dt. These findings demonstrate that changes in max. dp/dt can and frequently do reflect changes in myocardial contractility. These data also indicate that max. dp/dt is a complex function, subject not only to extrinsically induced changes in contractility, but also to ventricular end-diastolic pressure, aortic diastolic pressure, the manner of ventricular activation, and intrinsic adjustments of contractility.