Left ventricular volumes and hemodynamic responses to postexercise ischemia in healthy humans

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiac mechanisms involved in cardiovascular adjustments during postexercise circulatory occlusion (OCCL). Method: Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral vascular resistance (total peripheral resistance (TPR)) were assessed in nine healthy volunteers during rest and static exercise at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction followed by either OCCL for 3 min or non-OCCL in a randomized crossover protocol. Results: During handgrip, HR (+ 20%; P < 0.001), CO (+ 11%; P = 0.003). MAP (+ 18%; P = 0.001), and TPR (+ 6%; P = 0.004) increased, SV (- 8%; P = 0.001) and EDV (-5%; P < 0.001) decreased, while ESV did not change (P > 0.05). These responses were similar between conditions (P > 0.05). During OCCL, HR, SV, and CO returned to baseline, whereas MAP (+ 19%; P < 0.001) and TPR (+9%; P = 0.004) remained elevated. EDV (+ 12%; P < 0.001) and ESV (+ 23%: P < 0.001) increased in parallel above resting values. Conclusion: Activation of muscle metaboreceptors during OCCL increased MAP by elevating TPR. Despite the higher afterload and increased ESV, CO and SV were kept similar to resting values because EDV also increased, implying me involvement of the Frank-Starling mechanism.