[Function of the left ventricle in pacing-induced angina pectoris]

In 48 patients with angiographically ascertained coronary arteriosclerosis and 15 patients with unconspicuous cardiac findings a complete pressure-flow-volume-analysis of the left ventricle in rest and under artificial atrial tachycardia (atrial pacing) was carried out. In 26 patients with coronary arteriosclerosis a typical angina pectoris could be induced, however, in this group a specific constellation of the findings of the initial values was not present. Under influence of angina pectoris an increase of the disturbances of the regional contraction, connected with a significant decrease of the ejection fraction and of the isovolumetric contractibility parameter Vpm. Apart from this a significant increase of the enddiastolic ventricular pressure and of the quotient deltaP/deltaV in the diastole as a sequel of a decreased distensibility of the ventricle was found. In one part of the patients as an expression of the efficacy of the Frank-Starling-mechanism also the enddiastolic volume increased. Altogether a broad spectre of the functional changes was the result, the direction and degree of severity of which could not be foreseen according to the adequate findings in rest.