Contractility of isolated hearts from myxedematous rats

Abstract

HYPOTHYROIDISM is often complicated by coronary sclerosis and cardiac failure. It is generally believed that the coronary sclerosis is mainly caused by the disturbed lipoid metabolism. The cardiac failure, however, is less well understood. Our findings demonstrate that current concepts about cardiac insufficiency in myxedematous patients are not likely to be true. Thyroid hormone is a specific factor which has a direct (or viaunknown intermediates) important influence on rate and contractility of heart-muscle.