Changes in electrocardiographic morphology reflect instantaneous changes in left ventricular volume and output in cardiac surgery patients

Michael R. Pinsky, John Gorcsan, Thomas A. Gasior, William A. Mandarino, Lee G. Deneault, Brack G. Hattler, Horst Kunig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the relation between changes in R-to-T wave amplitude ratios (R:T) and left ventricular (LV) performance as cardiac output was rapidly varied by inferior vena caval occlusion in 6 subjects prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. To assess the influence of contractility, paired studies before and after bypass were performed in 4 subjects. Stroke volume and cardiac output were assessed by aortic flow probe, and transesophageal echocardiographic LV area measures using the automated border-detection method were used to give LV stroke area, stroke force, maximal LV area, fractional area change, end-systolic elastance, and preload recruitable stroke force. Data were collected on computer and analyzed by linear regression. Significant changes in R:T and measured LV variables during the inferior vena caval occlusion were stroke volume (r = 0.81), LV stroke area (r = 0.77), LV stroke force (r = 0.81), maximal LV area (r = 0.78), and cardiac output (r = 0.80). However, R:T varied inconsistently in relation to fractional area change. After cardiopulmonary bypass, the linear relation between R:T with LV stroke force, LV stroke volume, and maximal LV area persisted, but at a lesser slope. Although absolute pre-inferior vena caval occlusion R:T did not correlate with end-systolic elastance or preload recruitable stroke force, the change in the slope of these linear relations correlated well with the change in end-systolic elastance after surgery (r = 0.92). Instantaneous changes in electrocardiographic morphology reflect changes in LV preload-dependent variables, whereas long-term changes in electrocardiographic morphology may also reflect changes in contractile state.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)667-674
Number of pages8
JournalThe American journal of cardiology
Volume76
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 1995

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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