Effect of diaphragm contraction on canine heart and pericardium

Pericardiophrenic attachments transmit diaphragm contraction to the pericardium. We investigated this in two ways. 1) We replaced the hearts of externally perfused dogs with a balloon from which we measured pressure changes. Diaphragm contraction increased pressure from 4.6 to 5.5 Torr, equivalent to an isobaric volume decrease of 1.5%, and decreased volumetric compliance by 3%. 2) We selectively servo controlled right atrial pressure, left atrial pressure, or cardiac output in open-chest dogs and monitored the effect of diaphragm contraction on cardiovascular and abdominal pressures, cardiac output, and the volume of blood added to or withdrawn from the circulation to achieve servo control. Diaphragm contraction decreased left atrial pressure 0.4 Torr when right atrial pressure was controlled and right atrial pressure increased 0.2 Torr while controlling left atrial pressure, but there were no significant changes in cardiac output. Atrial pressure did not change significantly when output was controlled. Servo control required removal of approximately 50 ml of blood, presumably reflecting a decreased splanchnic vascular capacity at the higher abdominal pressure. We conclude that the diaphragm may slightly tense the pericardium, but this has no important primary effect on the heart.