Effect of tachycardia on cardiac output during normal and increased venous return

Abstract

The effect of heart rate change on cardiac output was studied at various levels of right and left atrial pressure. At each atrial pressure, there was a different range of heart rate at which the cardiac output was maximal. As the atrial pressure increased, the heart rate range for maximal cardiac output shifted to a higher level. This tendency was enhanced during norepinephrine infusion.