Reduction of left ventricular epicardial segment length by 100% oxygen breathing in open-chest dogs

We conducted this study in order to learn whether or nt oxygen inhalation reduces left ventricular size, one of the major determinants of myocardial oxygen demand. In 11 open-chest dogs, a Mercury-in-Silastic gauge was applied to measure left ventricular circumferential length while the dogs were being ventilated with either room air or 100% oxygen. Four characteristic notches were identified on the resulting length curve: L1, length at the beginning of ejection; L2, length at the end of ejection; L3, length in early diastole; and L4, length at end diastole, L1 was shortened from 24.9 +/- 10.5 to 24.4 +/- 9.9 mm (a decrease of 1.4 +/- 2.1%) by oxygen breathing, L2 was also shortened from 26.8 +/- 11.5 to 26.2 +/- 10.7 mm (a decrease of 1.5 +/- 2.9%), L3 from 17.5 +/- 4.4 to 17.4 +/- 4.3 mm (a decrease of 0.7 +/- 2.7%) and L4 from 17.7 +/- 4.8 to 17.5 +/- 4.7 mm (a decrease o 1.3 +/- 2.4%). These changes all disappeared when the inspiratory gas was changed from oxygen back to air. Heart rate and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure showed no significant changes but were accompanied by a slight reduction in aortic pressure and myocardial contractile force. This study demonstrated a small but consistent reduction in left ventricular circumferential length by oxygen breathing. This reduction in left ventricular size will reduce left ventricular tension and thus result in reduction of left ventricular myocardial oxygen demand when oxygen inhalation is applied to patients with ischemic heart disease.