[Influence of left atrial pressure on left ventricular function after extracorporeal circulation (author's transl)].

In 10 patients with coronary heart disease, in 9 with advanced mitral and in 11 with aortic valve disease left ventricular function curves were constructed by volume loading immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. After aortocoronary bypass surgery an approximately linear correlation between both cardiac index and stroke volume index and left ventricular filling pressure was demonstrated. After aortic and mitral valve replacement increase in left ventricular filling pressure above 15 mm Hg failed to result in significant increase in CI and SVI. Apparently, volume loading has limited effects in regulating left ventricular function in advanced aortic and mitral valve disease.