Experimental hyperthyroidism II. Mechanics of contraction and relaxation of isolated ventricular myocardium

The effect of experimental hyperthyroidism on myocardial mechanics was examined on isolated ventricular myocardium (right ventricular papillary muscle) of cats. 1. Isotonic muscle contraction and isometric tension development were largely unchanged compared with euthyroidism. 2. Isotonic contraction velocity and maximal isometric tension rise velocity showed considerable rises of between 41 and 78%. 3. Force-velocity relations of contraction showed changes with increases of contraction velocity with every degree of load. 4. Force-velocity relations of isotonic relaxation showed increases of isotonic relaxation maxima with comparable loads without any alteration of the typical course of the relaxation curves compared with euthyroidism. 5. Lowering the temperature (from 34 to 24 degrees C) produced a considerable fall of the raised contraction and relaxation velocity in hyperthyroidism whereas the values of muscle contraction and tension development important for the pump function were largely unchanged. It is concluded that the myocardium in experimental hyperthyroidism is characterised by a primarily velocity-related increase of inotropy. Lowering the temperature produces an effective fall of the raised velocity values. The mechanisms of the increase of inotropy and significance of the findings are discussed.