The Left Ventricle Responds to Acute Graded Elevation of Right Ventricular Afterload by Augmentation of Twist Magnitude and Untwist Rate

Background The right and left ventricles share the interventricular septum, which mechanically transmits pressure gradients. The aim of this study was to investigate how acute mild or moderate right ventricular (RV) afterload affects left ventricular (LV) function. Methods In 14 open-chest pigs (mean weight, 43 ± 4 kg) with preserved pericardium, acute mild (>35 and ≤50 mm Hg) and moderate (>50 and ≤60 mm Hg) RV pressure loading conditions were induced by constriction of the pulmonary artery. Hemodynamic parameters and LV twist and untwist were evaluated under each condition. Results From baseline to mild and moderate RV afterload, the mean RV systolic pressure increased from 31.0 ± 4.3 to 41.1 ± 2.7 and 52.7 ± 3.4 mm Hg ( P P  = .004), respectively. Absolute values of LV untwist rate increased from −116.9 ± 64.9°/sec to −160.0 ± 53.3°/sec and −169.1 ± 47.0°/sec, respectively ( P  = .001). After adjusting for all variables, only the ratio of the early and atrial components of mitral inflow and RV outflow tract acceleration time was significantly associated with the LV twist magnitude and LV untwist rate. Conclusions In an acute setting, the left ventricle responds to suddenly elevated RV afterload and decreased RV stroke volume by promptly increasing its twist magnitude and untwist rate.