Effect of cardiac denervation on the maximal capacity for exercise in the racing greyhound

Ten consecutive time trials were run at 2-day intervals by six racing greyhounds over a 5/16-mile track. Cardiac denervation was then performed on four dogs, and a sham operation that included removal of the pericardium was performed on two dogs. After cardiac denervation, one dog died and another was rejected from the study because of a massive intrathoracic hemorrhage. The time trials were repeated with the addition of telemetry of the heart rate in the four survivors. There was no significant difference between mean preoperative and postoperative race times in the control group. The mean postoperative running speeds of 33.6 and 33.3 mph in the denervated group, although representing a significant slowing of 1.1 and of 2.1 mph, respectively, from preoperative values, indicate the adequate manner in which the denervated heart meets the circulatory demands of maximal running effort. cardiac output; heart rate and exercise Submitted on March 11, 1964