Mechanisms of the Frank-Starling phenomena studied in intact hearts
D Burkhoff1, R A Stennett, K Ogino
1Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
The impact of ventricular volume on the relationship between intracellular calcium and ventricular pressure under steady-state conditions was determined in intact ferret hearts. The results reveal major quantitative differences and minor qualitative differences between these relations and those previously measured in isolated intact and skinned cardiac muscle. The importance of these differences is discussed within the context of developing a comprehensive mechanistic theory to describe load-dependence of the intact ventricle.
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