Assessment of myocardial contractility from ventricular pressure recordings

Abstract

Authors' synopsis: Peak values of the normalized first and second derivatives of left ventricular pressure, which are measured during the isovolumic contraction period, have been shown to be useful measures for assessing myocardial contractility. These indices were readily obtained from high speed pressure tracings by means of a fiberoptic pressure catheter which has an unusually high frequency response and low noise level.