[The effect of contrast medium injection into the left ventricle on systolic and diastolic ventricle function]

The influence of contrast medium on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function was studied in eight patients with coronary heart disease and in five dogs during and five minutes after ventriculography. Two biplane ventriculograms were performed in 5-minute intervals, in the dogs an additional one after 10 minutes. 0.66 cc/kg BW of sodium methyl-glucamin-iothalamate were injected during diastole into the left ventricel. 1. During ventriculography there are only slight changes of left ventricular volumes, pressures and diastolic compliance. The first four opacified heart cycles can be evaluated for the analysis of left ventricular function. 2. In patients with coronary heart disease there are much more pronounced alterations of systolic ventricular function 5 minutes after Ventriculography than in the normal dog. The ischemic ventricle has a reduced tolerance for volume load and negative inotropic effect of contrast media. In patients and dogs diastolic compliance is significantly increased 5 minutes after the injection of contrast medium. After 10 minutes however in the dogs compliance is significantly decreased. Analysing left ventricular function by repeated ventriculographies one has to take into account that the function is altered by the first angiogram. The degree of the changes depends on the initial hemodynamic conditions and on the time interval between the ventriculograms.