Biochemical and hemodynamic changes in the hypertrophied dog heart subjected to chronic protein-calorie malnutrition.

Biochemical and hemodynamic changes were assessed in 13 dogs subjected to sub-coronary valvular aortic stenosis and chronic protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). Red blood cell, hemoglobin, serum albumin, free fatty acids, blood glucose, cholinesterase and blood amino acid levels were measured. The dynamic geometry of the left ventricle (LV) was assessed with chronically implanted sonomicrometric piezoelectric crystals. Cardiac function was evaluated by mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (mean VcF) and the relationship between LV end-systolic pressure (LVESP) or LV wall stress (LVWst) and LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD). The following results were obtained: A decrease in body weight and increases in free fatty acids and 3-Methylhistidine were observed following long-term PCM. Mean VcF was not depressed in dogs subjected to PCM. The relationship between LVESP or LVWst and LVESD shifted downward and to the right after PCM, indicating reduced myocardial contractility. These findings suggest that the left ventricle in hypertrophied dog hearts subjected to PCM retains normal pump function, despite a low state in the myocardium.