The effects of β-adrenergic stimulation on the length-dependent regulation of myocardial function in coronary surgery patients

Increasing cardiac load by leg elevation identifies patients with load-dependent impairment of left ventricular (LV) function. This impairment is related to a deficient length-dependent regulation of LV function. We investigated the effects of dobutamine on length-dependent regulation of LV function in coronary surgery patients (n = 25). High-fidelity LV pressure tracings were obtained at end-expiration, while hearts were paced at a fixed rate of 90 bpm. Effects of leg elevation on contraction and relaxation were compared before and during dobutamine 5 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1). Effects on contraction were evaluated by analysis of changes in dP/dtmax. Effects on relaxation were assessed by analysis of R (slope of the relation between the time constant of isovolumic relaxation and end-systolic pressure). Correlations were calculated with linear regression analysis using Pearson's coefficient r. The effects of leg elevation on variables of contraction and relaxation were coupled. We found a close relationship between changes in dP/dtmax and individual values of R (r = 0.84; P < 0.001). Dobutamine improved myocardial function and accelerated LV pressure decrease. Under dobutamine, the increase in dP/dtmax with leg elevation was larger (P < 0.001) and load dependence of LV relaxation was reduced (P = 0.001). Dobutamine improved the effects of leg elevation on LV function, reflecting improved length-dependent regulation of LV function. This study demonstrated that beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation with dobutamine improved length-dependent regulation of myocardial function assessed during leg elevation in cardiac surgical patients.