An Analysis of the Depressant Effect of Indomethacin on Contractions of Isolated and Perfused Rat Hearts

Abstract

The depressant effect of indomethacin on contractions of isolated rat hearts was investigated under a constant heart rate. Ca²⁺ produced dose-dependent increases in myocardial contractile force and coronary perfusion pressure. Indomethacin-infusion significantly decreased myocardial contractile force and depressed increases in myocardial contractile force by Ca²⁺, but never affected both coronary perfusion pressure and increases in coronary perfusion pressure by Ca²⁺. Results suggest that indomethacin will depress myocardial contractile force with no involvement of any calcium antagonism.