Effect of dobutamine of ventriculoarterial coupling in acute regional myocardial ischemia in dogs

We assessed the effect of dobutamine on left ventricoarterial coupling during acute regional ischemia. Using a conductance catheter, we analyzed the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) in anesthetized dogs. We calculated the slope of ESPVR (Ees), the slope of the end-systolic pressure-stroke volume relation (Ea), (Ea/Ees) and the ratio (work efficiency) of external work to pressure-volume area at base-line during ischemia induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and during low-dose (1-3 micrograms.min-1.kg-1) and high-dose (4-10 micrograms.min-1.kg-1)dobutamine infusions with ischemia. ESPVR shifted to the right without a change in Ees during ischemia. Dobutamine caused dose-dependent increases in Ees but did not affect the intercept of ESPVR. During ischemia, Ea/Ees increased and work efficiency decreased. Low-dose dobutamine was associated with a return in control for Ea/Ees and work efficiency. High-dose dobutamine increased Ees and Ea but produced no further increase in Ea/Ees or work efficiency. Low-dose dobutamine would appear to be the preferable regimen to achieve the optimal ventriculoarterial coupling in acute regional ischemia associated with mismatched ventriculoarterial coupling and depressed left ventricular work efficiency.