Contractility of the Hypertrophied Canine Heart in Chronic Volume Overload

Abstract

Left ventricular contractility was assessed in dogs before and after the development of myocardial hypertrophy due to a total atrioventricular block. Evaluation in idioventricular rhythm and during electrical stimulation showed no significant differences between the non-hypertrophied and hypertrophied hearts. Maximal level of contractility during paired stimulation remained also unchanged.