Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6 Pt 2
pubmed:dateCreated
1993-2-5
pubmed:abstractText
We tested the hypothesis that the pericardium, by restricting heart size, limits maximal cardiac output and oxygen consumption. We studied 15 pigs. Five underwent maximal treadmill running before and 14-21 days after thoracotomy and pericardiectomy; these pigs also received sequential volume infusions to determine end-diastolic pressure-dimension relationships. Five underwent maximal treadmill running before and 14-21 days after thoracotomy (pericardium undisturbed) to determine the effect of thoracotomy on exercise performance. Finally, five underwent thoracotomy, instrumentation, loose closure of the pericardium, and sequential volume infusions to determine the effect of thoracotomy without pericardiectomy on end-diastolic pressure-dimension relationships. Pericardiectomy caused similar increases in maximal cardiac output (29% increase; P = 0.007) and maximal oxygen consumption (31% increase; P = 0.02). These results were associated with increased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (10% increase; P = 0.01) and an estimated 33% increase in end-diastolic volume. In addition, left ventricular mass was increased by pericardiectomy (18% increase; P < 0.04). Thus the pericardium, by limiting utilization of the Starling mechanism, limits maximal cardiac output, and the limit to cardiorespiratory performance lies not in oxygen utilization, but in oxygen delivery. Furthermore, removal of pericardium is associated with myocardial hypertrophy.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0002-9513
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
263
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
H1675-81
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1992
pubmed:articleTitle
Heart size and maximal cardiac output are limited by the pericardium.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, California.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.