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Although the circulatory changes in various thyroid states are well known, the alterations of myocardial contractility of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have remained controversial. The changes in the length of the ejection time (ET) and isovolumic contraction time (ICT) are used as indicative of alterations in inotropic state of the myocardium. Isovolumic contraction time, ejection time, and pre-ejection period were measured externally in 10 normal, 13 hyperthyroid, and five hypothyroid subjects. Cardiac outputs, mean rate of left ventricular ejection index, and predicted ejection times were calculated. More shortening of ICT and ET in hyperthyroid and more prolongation of these intervals in hypothyroid subjects than could be attributed to other factors were interpreted as indicative of increased and decreased myocardial contractility, respectively. Catecholamine depletion in hyperthyroid subjects with adequate administration of intramuscular reserpine induced no changes in cardiac output and oxygen consumption and caused no alteration in different phases of ventricular systole; consequently it had no effect on enhancement of hyperthyroid myocardial contractility.

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