Effects of dextran infusion on left ventricular volume and pressure in man.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitate the changes in left ventricular volume and end-diastolic pressure that occur with rapid infusion of 500 ml of low molecular weight dextran, and thus to study left ventricular pressure-volume relationships. Left ventricular pressure and echocardiographic dimensions were recorded before, during, and following dextran infusion in eight patients with normal left ventricular function. With the infusion of dextran, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure rose progressively from 10 +/- 3 mmHg (mean +/- SD) to 24 +/- 5 mmHg, whereas end-diastolic volume increased from 95 +/- 23 ml to 118 +/- 26 ml (24%). These results serve to emphasize the steepness of the left ventricular pressure-volume relationship at end-diastole in subjects with normal ventricular function when in the supine position.