We evaluated the effect of longterm inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) on card
iac contractility after endotoxemia by using the end-systolic elastance of
the left ventricle (LV) as a load-independent contractility index. Chronic
instrumentation in 12 pigs included implantation of two pairs of endocardia
l dimension transducers to measure LV volume and a micromanometer to measur
e LV pressure. One week later, the animals were divided into a control grou
p (n = 6) or a NO group (n = 6). All animals received intravenous Escherich
ia coli endotoxin (10 mu g.kg(-1).h(-1)) and equivalent lactated Ringer sol
ution. NO inhalation (20 parts/million) was begun 30 min after the initiati
on of endotoxemia and was continued for 24 h. In both groups, tachycardia,
pulmonary hypertension, and systemic hyperdynamic changes were noted. The e
nd-systolic elastance in the control group was significantly decreased beyo
nd 7 h. NO inhalation maintained the end-systolic elastance at baseline lev
els and prevented its impairment. These findings indicate that NO exerts a
protective effect on LV contractility in this model of endotoxemia.