He. Cingolani et al., An autocrine/paracrine mechanism triggered by myocardial stretch induces changes in contractility, NEWS PHYSL, 16, 2001, pp. 88-91
An autocrine/paracrine mechanism is triggered by stretching the myocardium.
This mechanism involves release of angiotensin II, release/increased forma
tion of endothelin, activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger, increase in intrace
llular Na+ and the increase in the Ca2+ transient that underlies the slow f
orce response to stretch. The autocrine/paracrine mechanism could explain h
ow changes in afterload alter cardiac contractility.