Lusitropic

Lusitropy refers to the rate at which the heart muscle relaxes after a contraction. It is a term used in cardiology to describe the relaxation phase of the heart's pumping cycle, or diastole. Lusitropy is an important aspect of heart function because it determines how quickly the heart can fill with blood and prepare for the next contraction.

Physiology

During the relaxation phase of the heart's pumping cycle, the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers of the heart fill with blood. This is known as diastole. The rate at which this relaxation occurs is referred to as lusitropy.

Lusitropy is influenced by several factors, including the heart's intrinsic properties, the balance of certain chemicals in the body, and the activity of the autonomic nervous system. For example, increased levels of calcium in the heart muscle can slow down the rate of relaxation, while certain hormones and neurotransmitters can speed it up.

Clinical significance

Abnormal lusitropy can lead to a variety of heart conditions. For example, if the heart muscle relaxes too slowly, it may not fill with enough blood before the next contraction. This can lead to heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Conversely, if the heart muscle relaxes too quickly, it may not have enough time to fill with blood before the next contraction. This can also lead to heart failure, as well as other conditions such as atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat.

See also

• Inotropy
• Chronotropy
• Dromotropy
• Bathmotropy
• Stent

References

Lusitropic Resources
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