Reflex sympathetic augmentation of left-ventricular inotropic state in the conscious dog.

Cardiac reflex responses to a series of partial inferior vena caval occlusions were studied in conscious previously instrumented dogs. Heart rate responses during the fall of systemic arterial pressure were mediated both by increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of parasympathetic tone. Responses of the left-ventricular inotropic state, estimated from changes in left ventricular pressure rise (LV dP/dt), were studied early after release of a series of partial vena caval occlusions, and a positive linear relation between the prior fall in the systemic arterial pressure and the increase in LV dP/dt was demonstrated. Serial studies showed this effect of persist for at least 12 s beyond the reflex slowing of heart rate early after release of vena caval occlusion. The positive inotropic response was markedly attenuated by beta-adrenergic blockade and also occurred at a constant heart rate. It was present after adrenalectomy. These studies suggest that the integrated baroreceptor responses that are activated by a simultaneous decrease in the venous return and systemic arterial pressure play an important role in the regulation of left-ventricular inotropic state in the conscious dog.