Ryanodine and the left ventricular force-interval and relaxation-interval relations in closed-chest dogs: insights on...

Although the myocardial force-interval and relaxation-interval relations are considered to be mechanical expressions of myocardial Ca2+ handling, correlation of these phenomena with altered Ca2+ kinetics in the intact state is limited. Thus, I sought to determine the impact of selective impairment of physiologic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, achieved by the use of the drug ryanodine, on these relations in the intact animal.

Twelve dogs instrumented with left ventricular manometers and piezoelectric dimension crystals were studied before and after ryanodine (4 micrograms/kg intravenously). End-systolic elastance was measured at paced heart rates of 120-180 bpm to determine the force-frequency response. Mechanical restitution and relaxation restitution were determined by measuring contractile (single beat elastance) and relaxation (peak negative dP/dt) responses for beats delivered at graded extrasystolic intervals, with normalized responses expressed as a function of extrasystolic interval.

Ryanodine accelerated mechanical restitution (time constant 60.3 +/- 3.9 versus 81.7 +/- 10.1 ms, p < 0.05) and reduced maximal contractile response (107.5 +/- 2.1 versus 122.1 +/- 5.7%, p < 0.05), slowed early relaxation restitution (time constant 65.5 +/- 13.8 versus 36.8 +/- 3.8 ms, p < 0.05) without changing late relaxation restitution kinetics, and amplified the force-frequency response (end-systolic elastance, 180 bpm, 19.4 +/- 4.3 versus 11.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg/ml, p < 0.05).

These findings suggest that in the intact animal, Ca2+ handling by the sarcoplasmic reticulum is a primary determinant of mechanical restitution and early relaxation restitution, but not late relaxation restitution. Conversely, ryanodine induced augmentation of the force-frequency response indicates a central role for sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx in producing frequency potentiation.