Figure 1

PV loops under preload reduction. Representative left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume (PV) loops during vena cava occlusion in a control dog and in a dog 2 months after recovery from a myocardial infarction. Recovery from myocardial infarction was associated with a decreased end-systolic elastance (decreased contractility, altered systolic function) but unchanged/slightly decreased diastolic elastance (unchanged diastolic function). Ees: end-systolic pressure volume relationship; Ea: effective arterial elastance; MI:myocardial infarction; ESP: end-systolic pressure; EDV: end-diastolic volume.