[Significance of non-invasive parameter (PSP/ESVI) in assessing left ventricular contractility (author's transl)]

Since myocardial pump function is affected by preload or afterload, it is difficult to assess left ventricular (LV) contractility independently from these in clinical cardiology. In this study, we performed inotropic intervention by isoproterenol or propranolol, and changed afterload by angiotensin or nitroprusside, to estimate the usefulness of peak systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index (PSP/ESVI) as a parameter of LV contractility. The data were obtained by cuff method or catheter-tip manometer and echocardiography. We calculated PSP/ESVI in various heart diseases, and results were analyzed for a significant change using the t test. Ejection fraction, mean VCF (mVCF) were calculated simultaneously, and compared with PSP/ESVI. The results were as follows: 1) PSP/ESVI ratio significantly reflected inotropic intervention with isoproterenol and propranolol. 2) PSP/ESVI ratio was less affected by the change of peak systolic pressure than EF or mVCF. 3) There was a significant difference in PSP/ESVI among congestive cardiomyopathy, valvular heart diseases and normal controls. 4) There was also a significant difference in PSP/ESVI between patients of NYHA I and those of NYHA II--IV. 5) PSP/ESVI ratio, measured by non-invasive method, was thought to be a useful parameter to assess LV contractility.