[R-wave amplitude during left ventricular volume changes in healthy hearts].

The relationship between R-wave amplitude and left ventricular volume was studied in four tests, each including six normal adults. The means of 10 heart cycles of the R-wave amplitude in surface ECG lead V5 (RV5) and the echocardiographically determined left ventricular enddiastolic dimension (LVEDD) were compared before and during different interventions. After inhalation of 0.3 ml isoamylnitrit, LVEDD was reduced to 7.7%, RV5 to 15.0% below control. During a maneuver of Valsalva, LVEDD decreased to 8.6%, RV5 to 12.9% below control. In both tests heart rates increased markedly. After oral application of propranolol (0.7 to 1.0 mg/kg) LVEDD did not change, whereas RV5 decreased to 8.2% below control. During rapid intravenous infusion of 1 l NaCl 0.9% in 10 to 15 minutes, LVEDD increased to 15.7% above control. R-wave amplitude remained constant. Thus the results of these last two tests let us doubt whether the Brody-effect can be translated without limitation on the in-vivo situation in man.