Serial Echocardiographic-Doppler Assessment of Left Ventricular Geometry and Function in Rats With Pressure-Overload Hypertrophy

Abstract

This model of pressure overload is characterized initially by concentric LV hypertrophy with compensated LV chamber performance; however, markedly abnormal diastolic filling is present. The transition from compensated hypertrophy to early failure is heralded by LV dilation, impairment of systolic function, and progression of the abnormalities in LV filling. Chronic ACE inhibition in rats with supravalvular aortic banding (1) does not change in vivo LV systolic pressure but prevents increased LV cavity size and increased LV wall stress and (2) attenuates impairment of (or improves) both systolic and diastolic functions. The effects of fosinopril could be explained in part by inhibition of an intracardiac renin-angiotensin system.