[Effect of heterogeneity of the myocardium on its mechanical function]

The influence of the mechanical heterogeneity on the myocardium contractility was evaluated. The heterogeneity was imitated by parallel connection of two papillar muscles with different mechanical properties. The rate of muscle shortening was controlled by a feed-back from tension of each of the muscles or both muscles simultaneously in the precision ergometer. The "force-velocity" and "length-force" relations were registered for each muscle independently, and in case of parallel connection of two muscles. It was shown that connection of two muscles in parallel influenced significantly the distribution of load in the muscles, maximal and mean velocity of their shortening. It is stated that the key phenomenon controlling the value and the heterogeneity influence sign is mechano-chemical uncoupling (inactivation).