Acute volume alterations were produced in eight anesthetized dogs to determine if the contractility of the left ventricle is partially volume-dependent. Pressures were measured in the left ventricle with a micromanometer and regional ventricular function was measured with sonomicrometers implanted in the midwall of the anterior, lateral, and posterior left ventricle. Regional end-systolic pressure-length relations (ESPLR) were determined with transient venae cavae occlusions. The ESPLR data were fitted to a quadratic equation, then end-systolic lengths were compared at matched end-systolic pressures at multiple time periods after the acute load alterations. Bilateral vagotomy, carotid sinus denervation, and stellate ganglion denervation were performed to prevent reflex alterations in contractility. The heart was paced at a constant rate. In seven animals, dextran was infused intravenously over 77 +/- 23 seconds (+/- SD) to increase left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 5 +/- 2 to 13 +/- 3 mm Hg and peak pressures from 113 +/- 11 to 147 +/- 18 mm Hg. The end-diastolic lengths increased 14 +/- 6% in the anterior, 9 +/- 2% in the lateral, and 12 +/- 4% in the posterior segments. The ESPLR was measured immediately (77 +/- 23 seconds), early (3 +/- 1 minutes), and late (10 +/- 2 minutes) after initiation of the volume load. In all three regions, there was a significant time-dependent leftward shift in the ESPLR. From 1 to 10 minutes after the volume load, the regional end-systolic lengths decreased by a mean of 4-6% when compared at a matched end-systolic pressure of 96 +/- 10 mm Hg, and decreased by 7-9% when compared at a matched pressure of 139 +/- 20 mm Hg. The end-systolic lengths immediately after the volume load were not significantly different from the control value (compared at a matched end-systolic pressure) but were significantly shorter 10 minutes after the volume load. The leftward shift of the ESPLR represented a true increase in contractility and not merely a recovery from a transient myocardial depression. A similar leftward shift in the ESPLR occurred in four animals after release of a partial venae cavae occlusion, producing an acute volume load without acute hemodilution. Acute volume loads in four animals treated with propranolol also produced a leftward shift in the ESPLR, ruling out the possibility that a time-dependent increase in circulating catecholamines was responsible for the alterations in contractility. In five animals, the ESPLR shifted to the right after a transient (1-2 minutes) decrease in venous return.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)