Abstract
The acute effects of acetaldehyde upon the performance of isolated rat papillary muscle were studied. At high concentrations (50 and 100 mg/100 ml), acetaldehyde demonstrated a negative inotropic effect and abbreviated relaxation time. Pretreatment with either propranolol or reserpine unmasked a direct negative inotropic effect of acetaldehyde at concentrations as low as 5 mg/100 ml. The shortening of relaxation was also blocked by propranolol and reserpine. These findings are compatible with both a direct myocardial depressant effect and an indirect beta-stimulatory effect of acetaldehyde. In the range of concentrations encountered clinically, however, acetaldehyde is not likely to have a significant acute effect upon cardiac muscle performance.
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