[Function and reserve of the hypertrophic left ventricle in aortic valve disease].

Left ventricular function was analyzed by angiography in 31 patients with aortic valve disease and in 12 patients without heart disease (control group). Ejection fraction, percentage shortening of minor equator, mean velocity of fiber shortening and men left atrial pressure were considered as parameters of left ventricular function. Contractile reserve was tested by a single postextrasystolic beat. Patients with pure aortic stenosis and an increase of left ventricular muscle mass to 220% of the normal value showed no impairment of left ventricular function. Patients with pure aortic regurgitation and a left ventricular muscle mass of 260% of normal showed no significantly impaired function. Both groups increased ejection fraction and percentage shortening of the minor equator after premature beat comparable to the control group. Patients with combined lesions of the aortic valve had a left ventricular muscle mass of 360% of normal. This group showed decreased ejection fraction, percentage shortening of minor equator and mean velocity of fiber shortening as compared to the control group while mean left atrial pressure was significantly elevated. After premature beat all parameters remained depressed as compared to control group. We conclude that the degree of hypertrophy determinates cardiac function in aortic valve disease. Moderate hypertrophy shows normal function at rest, while severe hypertrophy shows impaired function.