Hemodynamic Effects of Strontium Chloride in Acute Experimental Myocardial Infarction
The hemodynamic effects of strontium chloride infused intravenously were compared with the effects of calcium chloride in dogs with infarction produced by coronary artery ligation. Strontium improved the circulatory depression resulting from the experimental myocardial infarction. These effects were manifested by a 49% peak increase in the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), 74% in cardiac output, a significant although transient decrease in left atrial pressure of 13%, and a marked drop of 40% in systemic vascular resistance. Mean aortic pressure increased by 18% during the first half of the infusion, and thereafter returned toward the control value. The 31% decrease in heart rate is probably secondary to the overall improvement in cardiac function. Calcium in approximately one-half the amount of strontium was infused during the same length of time to a different group of animals with depression of venticular function by coronary artery ligation. Similar hemodynamic responses occurred during calcium infusion, but were of greater magnitude in left ventricular dp/dt and left atrial pressure, these changes being respectively +117 and −32%. However, the effects on heart rate and systemic vascular resistances were similar, −22% and −42%, respectively. Mean aortic pressure increased less in the calcium group. Strontium has beneficial circulatory effects in depressed ventricular function produced by infarction in dogs.