Age-related left ventricular function in the mouse: analysis based on in vivo pressure-volume relationships

Our study compared left ventricular (LV) function between senescent and young adult mice through in situ pressure-volume loop analysis. Two groups of mice (n = 9 each), 6-mo-old and 16-mo-old (senescent) mice, were anesthetized with urethan and alpha-chloralose, and their LV were instrumented with a Millar 1.4-Fr conductance micromanometer catheter for the acquisition of the pressure-volume loops. The senescent mice had a significantly decreased contractile function related to load-dependent parameters, including stroke volume index, ejection fraction, cardiac output index, stroke work index, and maximum derivative of change in systolic pressure over time. The load-independent parameters, preload recruitable stroke work and the slope (end-systolic volume elastance) of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, were significantly decreased in the senescent mice. Heart rate and arterial elastance were not different between the two groups; however, the ventricular-to-vascular coupling ratio (ratio of elastance of artery to end-systolic volume elastance) was increased by threefold in the senescent mice (P < 0. 001). Thus there were significant decreases in contractile function in the senescent mouse heart that appeared to be related to reduced mechanical efficiency but not related to arterial elastance.