Transient force responses in blood-perfused papillary muscle after step changes in load

In in situ canine papillary muscles, we studied transient responses in peak isometric force at control length, after contraction was suddenly switched from isotonic contractions at various forces and isometric contractions at different lengths. Peak isometric force rapidly decreased after isotonic contractions at relatively low forces and isometric contractions at shorter lengths. In contrast, peak isometric force rapidly increased after isotonic contractions at relatively high forces and isometric contractions at longer lengths. There was no transient response when the preceding isotonic force was about half of the present peak isometric force. Magnitude and direction of the transient force response depended on magnitude and direction of the change in the mean muscle force level produced by the sudden switch of loading conditions. Transient force responses were accompanied by simultaneous changes in time to peak isometric force in the same direction. We proposed that, in the blood-perfused papillary muscle, a sudden change in the mean muscle force causes an abrupt change in coronary flow supply-demand relation which in turn causes a transient change in contractile force.