Acute and subacute hemodynamic effects of enalaprilat, milrinone and combination therapy in rats with chronic left ventricular dysfunction.

A model of congestive heart failure (CHF) was produced in rats approximately 76 days following surgical occlusion of the left coronary artery. In rats with healed myocardial infarction (MI size = 45% LV), hemodynamic variables were predictably elevated (LVEDP greater than 20 mm Hg) or depressed LV dP/dtmax (5200 mm Hg/sec). The hemodynamic response (MAP, HR, LVEDP, and dP/dtmax) to intravenous infusion of Mil (54 to 347 micrograms/kg) was measured on two occasions, separated by a 7-12 day period of oral treatment (2 mg/kg/day). Enalaprilat was tested in a similar design with the infusion phase (70 micrograms/kg, total dose) separated by oral enalapril (Enal), 1 mg/kg/day. The hemodynamic response to Mil was also examined in rats treated with the ACE inhibitor. At low doses, Mil modestly elevated HR (+17 beats/min) and dose-dependently increased (P less than 0.05) LV contractility by approximately 25%. Higher doses of Mil reduced preload (LVEDP) and afterload (MAP). Oral Mil produced little hemodynamic improvement except modest elevation (+9%) in LV contractility. There was no evidence of tachyphylaxis to i.v. Mil. In contrast, enalaprilat reduced MAP and preload without altering HR or contractility, effects observed after oral treatment. In the presence of the ACE inhibitor, Mil's hemodynamic actions were not enhanced. These experiments demonstrate that ACE inhibition improves ventricular performance by reducing preload and afterload. In this model, Mil improves performance by a direct inotropic mechanism as well as a reduction in afterload.