Abstract
Summary
The degree of pressure produced by isovolumetric contraction in the left ventricle of rat hearts hypertrophied either by exercise or hypoxia was measured. The rats were anesthetized and artificial respiration administered. Following thoracotomy an 18 gauge needle, attached to a transducer, was placed into the left ventricle. The aorta was occluded and the maximum pressure between the control and experimental animals was not significant, except in the male hypoxic group, which group showed a signncantly lower value. The data suggest that hearts hypertrophied by exercise or by hypoxia have a decreased isometric pressure development on a per gram of heart muscle basis when compared to control animals.
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