Main description:

The past years have witnessed considerable progress in the field of fundamental research in cardiology. Nevertheless, numerous problems and controversial concepts remain. Some of these controversies concern relatively simple issues, e. g. the question of the extent to which a common length-tension or pressure-volume relationship exists independent of type of contraction and preload. The present volume is a compendium of an Erwin Riesch sympo- sium held July 12-13,1985, with the aim of critically analysing generally accepted concepts and theories as well as current trends in cardiology. In common with previous Erwin Riesch symposia, priority was given to issues concerning chronic reactions of the heart, although basic principles of normal myocardial contraction and ventricular dynamics as well as clinical aspects were also discussed. We are greatly indebted to the Erwin Riesch-Stiftung for the invaluable generosity which enabled us to hold the symposium. R.Jacob VII Contents Foreword ...V I. Contractile elementary processes: Cross-bridge theory and excitation-contraction coupling The cross-bridge cycle in muscle.
Mechanical, biochemical, and structural studies on single skinned rabbit psoas fibers to characterize cross-bridge kinetics in muscle for correlation with the actomyosin-ATPase in solution Brenner, B ...Calcium sensitivity of myofilaments in cardiac muscle - effect of myosin phosphorylation Morano, I. and J. C. Ruegg...17 Ca-pools involved in the regulation of cardiac contraction under positive inotropy. X-ray microanalysis on rapidly-frozen ventricular muscles of guinea-pig Wendt -Gallitelli, Maria F...25 The contribution of Na channel block to the negative inotropic effect of antiarrhythmic drugs Honerjiiger, P...

Contents:

The cross-bridge cycle in muscle. Mechanical, biochemical, and structural studies on single skinned rabbit psoas fibers to characterize cross-bridge kinetics in muscle for correlation with the actomyosin-ATPase in solution.- Calcium sensitivity of myofilaments in cardiac muscle - effect of myosin phosphorylation.- Ca-pools involved in the regulation of cardiac contraction under positive inotropy. X-ray microanalysis on rapidly-frozen ventricular muscles of guinea-pig.- The contribution of Na channel block to the negative inotropic effect of antiarrhythmic drugs.- Cardiac oxygen consumption and systolic pressure volume area.- The concept of "end-systolic" pressure-volume and length-tension relations of the heart from a muscle physiologist's point of view.- Local myocardial and global ventricular function compared during positive inotropic medication.- On the role of optimization in the cardiovascular system.- Some problems of cardiac energetics.- Myothermal economy of rat myocardium, chronic adaptation versus acute inotropism.- The influence of myosin isoenzyme pattern on increase in myocardial oxygen consumption induced by catecholamines.- Function and energy-rich phosphate content of the hypertrophied ventricle after global ischemia and reperfusion.- Metabolic aspects of the development of experimental cardiac hypertrophy.- Intracellular turnover and cardiac hypertrophy.- Correlation between total catecholamine content and redistribution of myosin isoenzymes in pressure loaded ventricular myocardium of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.- Significance of physical exercise in hypertension. Influence of water temperature and beta-blockade on blood pressure, degree of cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function in swimming training of spontaneously hypertensive rats.- Basis and clinical significance of regression of hypertensive hypertrophy.- Histochemically determinable changes in cardiac insufficiency and their functional significance.- Morphological reaction patterns in experimental cardiac hypertrophy - a quantitative stereological study.- Pathophysiological mechanisms in cardiac insufficiency induced by chronic pressure overload - an attempt to analyze specific factors in animal experiment.- Immunologic regulator and effector functions in perimyocarditis, postmyocarditic heart muscle disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.- Alterations of ?-adrenoceptors subsequent to myocardial infarction.