Chronic cardiac reactions. I. Assessment of ventricular and myocardial work capacity in the hypertrophied and dilated ventricle.

The end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure-volume or stress-length curves define the margins of the various conceivable courses of pressure-volume or stress-length loops. Although the end-systolic pressure-volume and stress-length relations of isovolumetric and afterloaded contractions are not entirely identical, the area between isovolumetric maxima- and end-diastolic minima curves in the pressure-volume or stress-length diagram can be taken as a measure of potential ventricular and myocardial work under different yet defined mechanical conditions. The normalized stress-length area, as derived from the left ventricular pressure-volume diagram and myocardial mass, renders a rational basis for global quantitative evaluation of myocardial work capacity. The area obtained is independent of ventricular mass and size and as such is invaluable for assessing hypertrophied and/or dilated hearts, and thus interindividual comparison of myocardial contractile capability based on physical principles. However, this measure should be supplemented by considering time dependent parameters (e.g. maximum rate of stress development as a function of end-diastolic stress). The principle set here for evaluating ventricular and myocardial performance should always be borne in mind, especially when referring to more empirical parameters.