Flow velocity of cardiac lymph and contractility of the heart: an experimental study

The flow velocity of cardiac lymph in various abnormal conditions of the heart and in control situations was studied experimentally in dogs. The time needed for the cardiac lymph node to become stained after injection of contrast medium into the muscle layer of the left ventricular apex was measured as an indicator in determining flow velocity of cardiac lymph. Left ventricular contractility was studied simultaneously. The hypoxic dogs had a short staining time with a vigorous cardiac beat. (Short staining time means accelerated lymph flow through the heart). The hearts in which the coronary sinus was ligated revealed the shortest staining time with an insignificant contractile change. The exsanguinating dogs had a long staining time with reduced contractility. The dogs with ventricular fibrillation had the longest staining time. When the heart rate was fixed by pacing, the staining time reflected contractile change. The contractile force of the heart plays an important role in the flow velocity of cardiac lymph.