BackgroundPrevious work showed a twofold increase in stiffness of nonischemic myocardium at the base during ischemia of the left anterior wall. Whether the diastolic response of nonischemic myocardium to remote ischemia depends on the localization of the ischemic or the nonischemic area is unknown.MethodsIn dogs with open chests, regional function in ischemic and nonischemic myocardium was assessed (sonomicrometry) before and 5 min after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD; n = 7) or the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX; n = 7).ResultsIn nonischemic myocardium at the base, left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary artery occlusion both resulted in a twofold increase in chamber stiffness, whereas contractility and peak lengthening rate remained unchanged. In nonischemic myocardium of the posterior wall, left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion resulted in a significant (P< 0.05vs. control,P< 0.05vs.base) increase (mean ± SD) in chamber stiffness (25 ± 6%), contractility (17 ± 5%), and peak lengthening rate (28 ± 6%). In nonischemic myocardium at the apex, left circumflex coronary artery occlusion resulted in a significant (P< 0.05vs.control,P< 0.05vs.base) increase in chamber stiffness (15 ± 5%), contractility (16 ± 4%), and peak lengthening rate (19 ± 6%).ConclusionsStiffening of remote nonischemic myocardium occurs regardless of the localization of the ischemic and nonischemic area. The systolic and diastolic responses of nonischemic myocardium are not necessarily homogenous but may vary among different regions.