Ventricular coupling via the pericardium: normal versus tamponade.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to examine how regional variations in pericardial pressure affect the mechanical coupling between the ventricles.

METHODS

Canine hearts from 14 dogs (14.5-18 kg) were removed and placed in cold cardioplegia solution. Balloons were inserted into the left and right ventricles and the atria. Pericardial pressure over the left ventricle (Pclv) and the right ventricle (Pcrv) was measured with thin balloon catheters. Ventricular and pericardial pressures were measured, and ventricular and pericardial coupling was calculated, under control conditions and with increases in pericardial tension and fluid.

RESULTS

At baseline, regional differences in pericardial pressure occurred [Pclv > Pcrv, 4.0(SD 0.9) v 2.9(0.6) mm Hg, p < 0.05]. Ventricular coupling via the pericardium was defined as delta Pclv/delta Pcrv for right ventricular volume increases and delta Pcrv/delta Pclv for left ventricular volume increases. This ratio increased more after increasing right ventricular volume than after increasing left ventricular volume [delta Pclv/delta Pcrv > delta Pcrv/delta Pclv, 1.14(0.33) v 0.51(0.15), p < 0.05]. Increasing the pericardial tension by clamping the pericardium increased pericardial pressures, yet did not alter the regional variations in pressure [Pclv > Pcrv, 8.4(2.2) v 6.4(2.5) mm Hg, p < 0.05] or pericardial coupling [delta Pclv/delta Pcrv > delta Pclv/delta Pcrv, 1.18(0.46) v 0.54(0.16), p < 0.05]. In contrast, creating a mild tamponade increased pericardial pressures, eliminated regional differences in pressure, and altered the coupling between ventricles [delta Pclv/delta Pcrv approximately delta Pclv/delta Pcrv, 0.95(0.11) v 1.05(0.08), p = NS]. These regional differences in pericardial pressure might have a geometrical basis. In four in vivo canine experiments using cine magnetic resonance, the short axis radius of curvature for the right ventricle was greater than for the left ventricle [38.3(4.4) mm v 29.2(3.8) mm, p < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

The pericardium partially protects right ventricular filling: regional differences in pericardial pressure normally occurred with lower pericardial pressure over the right ventricle, and left to right ventricular coupling was less. This protection of right ventricular filling was lost with even a small pericardial effusion.