Effect of early changes in functional geometry of left ventricular contraction on the development of ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial ischaemia. An experimental study

ObjectiveThe early appearance of ventricular fibrillation (VF) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with adrenergic effects and electrical interactions although some early “mechanical” changes may also occur. The aim of the present experimental study was to examine whether early changes in the functional geometry of left ventricular (LV) contraction may be associated with ventricular arrhythmias occurring during the first 120 min of MI.MethodsIn 11 swine left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation was performed. Aortic flow, LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV long and short axis lengths were measured and their fractional shortening (FS) was calculated before and during the initial 120 min period of MI.ResultsLV long axis FS and aortic flow decreased (p < 0.001) whereas LVEDP increased (p < 0.01) in all 11 animals within 30 min following LAD ligation. LV long and short axis lengths and LV short axis FS did not change significantly. VF occurred in 5 of the 11 animals within this 30 min period. LV short axis FS decreased (p < 0.05) in all 5 animals prior to VF and increased (p < 0.05) in all 6 animals without VF. In 3 of the 6 animals that had no VF during the initial 30 min VF occurred later. Similarly, LV short axis FS decreased prior to VF in all those 3 animals. LV short axis FS did not decrease in any of the remaining 3 swine without VF during the same period of time.ConclusionEarly changes in the functional geometry of LV contraction, in the form of a reduction of LV short axis FS, are associated with a greater incidence of VF in experimental acute MI.