[Effects of hypertrophy on the behavior of potentials in isolated ventricular strips of the rat].

Potentiation of right-ventricular strips obtained from normal rats (NT-group) and from rats showing hypertrophic hearts as a result of long-time swimming (HT-group) has been investigated. Strength-interval relationships, poststimulation potentiation and the potentiation by paired stimulation has been tested. The behavior of the action potential in both groups showed no significant differences. Standardized strength-interval relationships of HT-group were steeper than those of the NT-group. Maximal potentiation in the HT-group occurred at shorter delay-intervals. Potentiation after long-time pauses was greater in the HT-group. The results are discussed on the basis of model considerations of electro-mechanical coupling.