contractility

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Complications of barbiturate administration include decreased systemic vascular resistance and myocardial contractility, arrhythmia, and predisposition to infection [90].

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Definitions (3)

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  1. The inherent property or force by which bodies shrink or contract; more specifically, in physiology, the property which belongs to muscles of contracting under appropriate stimuli. The stimulus normally comes through the nerves, and may be accompanied by volition or not; but it may also be applied artificially, either indirectly through the nerves or directly to the muscle itself, as by electricity, mechanical violence, or chemical action. It is not pure thought which moves a muscle; neither is it the abstraction contractility, but the muscle, which moves a limb. G. H. Lewes, Probs. of Life and Mind, I. ii. § 3. The central cord, to whose contractility this action is due, has been described as muscular. W. B. Carpenter, Micros., § 439.

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Examples (35)

  • Cardiac contractility is driven by the cardiac sarcomere, a highly ordered cytoskeletal structure composed of cardiac myosin, actin and a set of regulatory proteins, and is the fundamental unit of muscle contraction in the heart. —  Medlogs - Recent stories
  • Cytokinetics announced the selection of a potential drug candidate directed towards skeletal muscle contractility which may be developed as a potential treatment for skeletal muscle weakness associated with neuromuscular diseases or other conditions. —  Medlogs - Recent stories
  • Inotropic Therapy When adequately fluid resuscitated, most septic patients are hyperdynamic, but myocardial contractility, as assessed by ejection fraction, is impaired. 4 Some patients, especially those with preexisting cardiac dysfunction, may have decreased cardiac output and may require inotropic agents such as dobutamine, dopamine, and epinephrine. —  Recently Uploaded Slideshows
  • Studies suggest that PLC supports healthy myocardial contractility, heart muscle metabolism, heart cell membrane stability, skeletal muscle metabolism, Krebs cycle activity and lactate modulation. —  NutraIngredients-USA RSS
  • Renin activates angiotemsinogen into angiotensin which is then converted into angiotension II in the liver By the angiotensin converting enzyme  Potential vasoconstrictor  Increases cardiac contractility, increases heart rate increases vascular permeability —  Recently Uploaded Slideshows
 

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Etymologies (1)

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  1. = French contractilité; as contractile + -ity.
 

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