Verapamil and dantrolene restrained ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) changes induced by severe sepsis in mice.

<p>(The left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in untreated mice (Sham) or in mice treated with either verapamil (SH+VP) or dantrolene (SH+DT) at 12 and 24 hours after sham operation were absolutely identical regarding each procedure and computed and represented as a single column). <b>A and B.</b> The left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in mice submitted to CLP-induced sepsis were similar to the values in mice submitted to sham operation at 12 hours after surgical procedure. But the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in SSI mice was markedly reduced in comparison with the mean values observed in sham controls at 24 hours after surgery. In contrast, the treatment with either verapamil or dantrolene abrogated the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in SSI mice that presented mean values similar to those observed sham-operated mice treated with either verapamil or dantrolene and sham-operated untreated mice. (n = 7 to 10 in each group; *, P<0.01).