[Effects of calcium blockers on the performance of left and right ventricles during acute hypoxia].

In anesthetized and thoracotomized 20 adult dogs under artificial respiration, the effects of calcium blockers (nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil) on the mechanics of the left and right cardiac pumps under acute hypoxia were observed. The left and right ventricular pressure (LVP and RVP) and their dp/dt (+/- dp/dtmax), aortic flow (Fa), pulmonary pressure (Ppa) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. After treatment with calcium blockers, LVP and L +/- dp/dtmax decreased, and Fa increased, while RVP, R +/- dp/dtmax and Ppa all tended to increase. These results showed that the effects of calcium blockers on the performance of the left and right ventricles were different, suggesting that the dependence of left and right myocardium on calcium was different in degree. The mechanics of the left and right ventricles responded differently to calcium blockers under acute hypoxia. After treatment with calcium blockers, pressor responses on LVP by acute hypoxia disappeared. There was a great increase in Fa. Decrease in pressor response of RVP and Ppa was also observed in acute hypoxic dogs receiving verapamil and diltiazem. Comparing the effects of nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil on the mechanics of the left and right cardiac pumps under acute hypoxia, it appears that diltiazem exerts beneficial effect on the performance of cardiac pump under acute hypoxia.