Abstract
Summary
The changes in myocardial contractile force and heart rate which accompanied acute bleeding were studied in normal dogs. Increases in contractile force and heart rate were noted in response to hemorrhage until mean arterial pressure fell to less than 90 mm Hg. Below this level of pressure depression of both modalities began and continued as pressure was further lowered. These findings indicate that myocardial depression occurs at an early stage in acute bleeding and probably results from a critical diminution in coronary perfusion pressure.
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