Evidence for a negative inotropic effect of obesity in human myocardium?

Objective: The present study was performed as an attempt to analyze the relationship between body weight and human myocardial performance. As overweight is frequently associated with hypertension, stenosis of epimyocardial coronary arteries and other factors that influence myocardial performance, the experimental model of isolated human atrial myocardium was selected. Atrial contractile performance does neither depend on the extent of stenosis of epicardial coronary arteries nor on the degree of hypertension and its secondary pathology. Methods:Rightatrialmusclepreparations(0.5 6 mm)of183patientsundergoingcoronaryarterybypasssurgerywereelectricallystimulatedat optimal length. Active tension…