Summary and ConclusionsAn experimental attempt was made to simulate acutely the cardinal circulatory changes of congestive heart failure for the purpose of creating a preparation in which the incipient effects on renal function could later be studied.Optically recorded pressure pulses from the aorta, pulmonary artery, and right atrium are presented, and show that judicious compression of the pulmonary artery can reduce the output of the left ventricle significantly without incurring a drastic fall of arterial pressure. These dynamic studies also revealed that such graded pulmonary artery constriction results in (a) a reduction of pulmonary systolic and diastolic pressures distal to the constriction, and the development of a systolic murmur, (b) a rise in maximal and initial tensions in the right ventricle, and (c) an elevation of right atrial pressures. In some instances, relative tricuspid insufficiency developed.The elevation of central venous pressure is obviously associated with translocation of a lar...