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Biomedical subjects

D E Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to D E Hansen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Alterations in left ventricular diastolic twist mechanics during acute human cardiac allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Contraction of obliquely oriented left ventricular (LV) fibers results in a twisting motion of the left ventricle. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acute human cardiac allograft rejection on LV twist pattern and the twist-volume relation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tantalum markers were implanted into the LV midwall in 15 transplant recipients to measure time-varying, three-dimensional chamber twist using computer-assisted analysis of biplane cinefluoroscopic images. Twist was defined as the mean longitudinal gradient of circumferential rotation about the LV long axis. When plotted against normalized percent ejection fraction (%EF), the resulting twist-normalized %EF relation could be divided into three phases. In systole, LV twist was linearly related to ejection of blood. In contrast, diastolic untwist was characterized by early rapid recoil with little change in LV volume, followed by more gradual untwisting when the bulk of diastolic filling occurred. During 10 acute rejection episodes in 10 patients, maximum twist, peak systolic twist rate, and the slope of the systolic twist-normalized %EF relation did not change. In contrast, the slope of the early (first 15% of filling) diastolic twist-normalized %EF relation (M(early-dia)) decreased significantly (-0.194 +/- 0.062 [prerejection] versus -0.103 +/- 0.054 rad/cm [rejection], p = 0.0003), resulting in a prolonged tau 1/2 (time required to untwist by 50% [20 +/- 5% versus 28 +/- 5% of diastole], p = 0.0003) and decrease in percent untwisting at 15% diastolic LV filling (62 +/- 11% versus 36 +/- 13%, p = 0.0003). Therefore, a greater proportion of LV untwisting occurred later in diastole during rejection, as reflected by an increase in the slope (M(mid-dia)) of the middle to late (from 15 to 90% filling) diastolic twist-normalized %EF relation (-0.018 +/- 0.009 versus -0.030 +/- 0.010 rad/cm, p = 0.0015). Peak rate of untwist was not affected. With resolution of rejection, M(early-dia) and percent untwist during early diastole returned to baseline levels (p = NS versus baseline). There was also a trend for M(mid-dia) to return toward prerejection values (p = NS versus baseline), but this change did not reach statistical significance compared with rejection values. CONCLUSION: Acute cardiac allograft rejection is associated with altered diastolic twist mechanics in the absence of any demonstratable systolic abnormalities. During rejection, myocardial edema and other factors may result in intrinsic changes of the elastic properties of the myocardium, thereby leading to modification of recoil forces responsible for the early, rapid unwinding of the deformed ventricle.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Effect of volume loading, pressure loading, and inotropic stimulation on left ventricular torsion in humans.

BACKGROUND: The transmural distribution of fiber angles and the extent of shortening among obliquely oriented fibers are likely to be major determinants of the twisting motion that accompanies left ventricular (LV) ejection. As such, measurements of torsion may provide useful information about LV contractile function, but other factors, such as ventricular loading conditions, may also regulate this motion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Torsion angles (theta i) of midventricular and apical regions were measured relative to a reference minor axis near the base in seven human cardiac allografts from biplane radiographic images of metallic midwall markers. Pressure loading with methoxamine (5-10 muk/kg/min) increased LV end-systolic pressure by 41 +/- 14 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). Volume loading with normal saline raised LV end-diastolic pressure from 9.9 +/- 5.2 to 19.6 +/- 4.9 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). These alterations in LV loading conditions were associated with no change in theta i (difference not significant) for any marker site. Inotropic stimulation with dobutamine (5 micrograms/kg/min) increased values of theta i by as much as twofold (p less than 0.05); this response varied considerably depending on marker location, with the middle and apical inferior wall and the apical lateral wall being the most sensitive. When the marker site associated with the largest torsion angle (theta max) was considered in each patient, dobutamine increased theta max in all cases (25.2 +/- 10.5 degrees versus 15.8 +/- 7.7 degrees, p less than 0.001), whereas pressure and volume loading had negligible effects. This 59% increase in theta max was greater than that of conventional load-dependent indexes of LV systolic performance such as stroke volume (16%), ejection fraction (22%), and maximum rate of LV pressure rise (52%). CONCLUSIONS: This component of LV motion is relatively insensitive to alterations in preload and afterload, while changes in contractile state influence LV torsion in a regionally heterogeneous manner. Quantification of LV torsion may, therefore, provide a sensitive and relatively load-independent measure of contractile performance that may prove to be useful in the serial assessment of LV function.

Cineradiography↗
PubMed1991

Dose-dependent inhibition of stretch-induced arrhythmias by gadolinium in isolated canine ventricles. Evidence for a unique mode of antiarrhythmic action.

Transient diastolic dilatation of the isolated canine left ventricle predictably elicits arrhythmias. To test the hypothesis that such arrhythmias may be mediated by sarcolemmal stretch-activated channels, we attempted to inhibit stretch-induced arrhythmias with gadolinium (Gd3+), a potent stretch-activated channel blocker. In experiments with six isolated canine hearts, left ventricular volume was increased for 50 msec during early diastole and then returned to initial volume by a computerized servopump. The stretch volume was adjusted to yield a probability of eliciting a stretch-induced arrhythmia of 95 +/- 2% before treatment with Gd3+. When Gd3+ (1-10 microM) was administered, dose-dependent suppression of stretch-induced arrhythmias was observed. The probability of a stretch-induced arrhythmia was reduced to 13 +/- 10% (p less than 0.05) with 10 microM Gd3+. Washout of Gd3+ completely reversed this effect. Since Gd3+ is known to be a calcium channel antagonist, we compared the effect of Gd3+ on stretch-induced arrhythmias with that of verapamil and nifedipine. These calcium channel blockers produced no demonstrable inhibition of stretch-induced arrhythmias when administered at concentrations (1 microM) that substantially depressed left ventricular pressure development. Thus, our results indirectly implicate stretch-activated channels in the genesis of stretch-induced arrhythmias and provide preliminary evidence for a potential new mode of antiarrhythmic drug action--blockade of stretch-activated channels.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Long-term effects of excision of the mitral apparatus on global and regional ventricular function in humans.

To evaluate the long-term sequelae of mitral valve excision on global and regional wall motion, contrast left ventriculograms from 21 patients with suspected prosthetic mitral valve dysfunction performed 10.4 +/- 2.1 years after mitral valve replacement were analyzed by a computerized radial shortening method. Patients with significant coronary artery disease (greater than 30% stenosis in any vessel) were excluded. In 8 of the 21 patients in whom preoperative ventriculograms were available, regional wall motion was normal before valve replacement. Although average radial shortening (35.6 +/- 4.8% versus 35.3 +/- 3.8%, p = NS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (62.8 +/- 4.2% versus 57.9 +/- 2.8%, p = NS) were unchanged in the preoperative and postoperative studies of these eight patients, radial shortening in the vicinity of insertion of the posteromedial papillary muscle declined significantly (38.4 +/- 6.4% to 20.8 +/- 4.4%, p less than 0.04). Postoperative radial shortening for all 21 patients at the site of insertion of the papillary muscle was also reduced to a significant degree compared with the average radial shortening (32.9 +/- 10.3% versus 17.5 +/- 2.0%, p less than 0.001). The findings demonstrate significant long-term and possibly permanent regional ventricular dysfunction after severing the chordae tendineae during mitral valve replacement.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Efficacy of a vaccine to prevent Chlamydia- or Campylobacter-induced abortions in ewes.

In a sheep flock, Chlamydia psittaci, Campylobacter fetus, Ca jejuni, and Salmonella dublin caused abortions. A vaccine that contained C psittaci type I from 2 sources: a cow with pneumonia and an aborted ovine fetus, Ca fetus, Ca jejuni, and 4 strains of K99 Escherichia coli was given to 240 ewes before they were bred. All fetuses, placentas, and lambs, that died within 36 hours of birth were examined for infectious agents. Of 55 abortions, 30 (55%) were caused by Chlamydia or Campylobacter spp; 25 of the 30 (83%) abortions took place in the nonvaccinated group (n = 240). Forty-five more lambs survived in the vaccinated group than in the nonvaccinated group. Abortion rates for Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp (2.1 vs 10.4% in vaccinated and nonvaccinated groups, respectively) were significantly different (P = 0.003). Abortion rates for S dublin were not significantly different between groups. The Salmonella epizootic was controlled quickly by sanitation and treatment procedures. The vaccine was at least 80% efficacious against Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp and appeared to be protective.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1990

Stretch-induced arrhythmias in the isolated canine ventricle. Evidence for the importance of mechanoelectrical feedback.

Alterations in loading conditions and muscle length influence the electrophysiology of ventricular myocardium and may play a role in arrhythmogenesis in globally dilated or dyskinetic ventricles. To test the hypothesis that stretch can initiate arrhythmias in normal myocardium, the response to graded mechanical stretch was studied in seven isolated blood-perfused canine ventricles. After eight conditioning contractions produced by His bundle pacing (2 Hz), global stretch of the ventricle was produced by a servocontrolled pump that abruptly increased ventricular volume by a precise amount (delta V) during early diastole and then returned ventricular volume to the initial holding volume (Vi). Ventricular premature contractions were readily produced; ventricular couplets and short runs of ventricular tachycardia were occasionally elicited. The probability of a stretch-induced arrhythmia was determined from multiple alternating sequences in which a stretch of known amplitude (delta V) or no stretch was delivered. As delta V was increased, the probability of a stretch-induced arrhythmia was low initially, increased sharply after a threshold was exceeded, and approaching 100% with physiological volumes. With Vi set to a standard value of 20 ml, corresponding to end-diastolic pressure of 5.3 +/- 5.2 mm Hg (mean +/- SD), the delta V resulting in a 50% chance of a stretch-induced arrhythmia (delta V50) was 15.0 +/- 1.6 ml. A decline in delta V50 was consistently observed when Vi was increased. While delta V50 values were remarkably similar (10.7% coefficient of variation), the pressure at the time the ventricular premature depolarization was triggered was highly variable for different ventricles; this finding suggests that myocardial strain is more important than absolute level of wall stress in the initiation of these arrhythmias. These results demonstrate that myocardial stretch predictably initiates arrhythmias and that the susceptibility to stretch-induced arrhythmias is enhanced by ventricular dilatation. Thus, ventricular ectopy in patients with regionally or globally dilated hearts may arise, in part, by a mechanism of myocardial stretch.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The relationship between anaerobic threshold and heart rate linearity during cycle ergometry.

Recent studies have demonstrated there is a definitive deflection in the heart rate response to incremental velocity work that coincides with the anaerobic threshold. These studies were conducted with elite athletes who performed the specific activities in which they were trained. The purpose of this study was to determine if the same relationship in heart rate and ventilatory response to increasing velocity was evident in nine untrained healthy subjects aged 22 to 36 years performing leg ergometry under controlled laboratory conditions. All subjects began pedaling at 50 rpm with an initial power output of 100 W. Pedaling rates were increased by 5 rpm every 30 s. This increment was equivalent to a power increase of 11.1 W. The subjects cycled to the point of exhaustion or until they could no longer maintain the pedaling speed at the higher velocities. Heart rate and expiration gases were collected at 30-s intervals. The results indicated that the heart rate and ventilatory response to increasing velocity as previously reported under field conditions does not exist under laboratory conditions. While there was a definitive and statistically significant inflection in the ventilatory response to increasing velocity, heart rate remained linear. Therefore, caution should be used when determining the anaerobic threshold from the single measure of heart rate response.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Early treatment with intravenous metoprolol for suspected acute myocardial infarction: a phase IV United States trial. Phase IV Metoprolol in Myocardial Infarction Study Group.

Recent randomized clinical trials have shown that total mortality and cardiovascular mortality are reduced by the early intravenous administration of beta-blockers to patients suspected of suffering from acute myocardial infarction. These trials were conducted on patients meeting strict entry criteria. In order to assess this therapy when applied to a broader range of myocardial infarction patients, we performed a Phase IV study of metoprolol in acute myocardial infarction. The study was designed to test whether early (less than 8 hours from onset of chest pain) intervention by practicing physicians with open label intravenous metoprolol for cases of suspected acute myocardial infarction achieved mortality results similar to those obtained in large randomized clinical trials. We studied 3824 patients treated by 741 physicians representing a broad spectrum of clinical practice in the United States. Seventy-two percent of the patients entered into the study had confirmed myocardial infarction (39% anterior, 39% inferior, 22% other locations) and 85% of all individuals treated tolerated the full intravenous dose of 15 mg of metoprolol. The 15 day total mortality and cardiovascular mortality rates were 4.9% and 4.5%; 90 day mortality rates were 6.9 and 5.9%. Patients with anterior infarctions had a significantly greater cumulative mortality rate than patients with other types of infarctions. Marked bradycardia (heart rate less than 45 beats per minute) in the first 8 hours post treatment occurred in 4.7% cases and hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg) occurred in 9.8% of cases. When compared with the results of the Göteborg and MIAMI trials of metoprolol, it appears that there is no appreciable increase in mortality or morbidity when metoprolol is used in the community practice of acute coronary care.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Relation between longitudinal, circumferential, and oblique shortening and torsional deformation in the left ventricle of the transplanted human heart.

The present study was designed to investigate the anisotropy of systolic chord shortening in the lateral, inferior, septal, and anterior regions of the human left ventricle. At the time of surgery, 12 miniature radiopaque markers were implanted into the left ventricular midwall of the donor heart in 15 cardiac transplant recipients. Postoperative biplane cineradiograms were computer-analyzed to yield the three-dimensional coordinates of these markers at 16.7-msec intervals. In each of the four left ventricular regions, chords were constructed from a central marker to outlying markers, and the percent systolic shortening of each chord was calculated. In each region, chord angles were measured with respect to the circumferential direction (positive angles counterclockwise) and each chord was assigned to one of four angular groups: I. oblique, -45 +/- 22.5 degrees or 135 +/- 22.5 degrees; II. circumferential, 0 +/- 22.5 degrees or 180 +/- 22.5 degrees; III. oblique, 45 +/- 22.5 degrees or -135 +/- 22.5 degrees; or IV. longitudinal, 90 +/- 22.5 degrees. In the lateral, inferior, and septal regions, respectively, systolic shortening (mean +/- SD%) was significantly greater in Group I chords (19 +/- 5%, 17 +/- 5%, and 15 +/- 4%) than those in Group II (15 +/- 5%, 12 +/- 4%, and 11 +/- 4%), Group III (12 +/- 4%, 12 +/- 5%, and 11 +/- 4%), or Group IV (13 +/- 5%, 13 +/- 6%, and 12 +/- 5%). The anterior region was unique in exhibiting equal shortening in both Group I and Group II chords (16 +/- 5%), although the shortening of these chords was significantly greater than that of Group III and Group IV (12 +/- 5%) in this region. A cylindrical mathematical model was developed to relate longitudinal, circumferential, and oblique systolic shortening to torsional deformation about the long axis of the left ventricle. Torsional deformations measured in these 15 hearts were of sufficient magnitude and correct sense to agree with model predictions. These data suggest that torsional deformations of the left ventricle are of fundamental importance in linking the one-dimensional contraction of the helically wound myocytes to the three-dimensional anisotropic systolic shortening encountered in the transplanted human heart.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1989

An esophageal duplication cyst presenting as an abdominal mass.

Esophageal duplication cysts are uncommon, benign lesions of the esophagus that have previously been described as occurring only in the thoracic cavity. Herein we report a case of an esophageal cyst located entirely within the abdomen, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the first such case reported. Surgery is generally the treatment of choice for esophageal cysts, and was indicated in this case for the diagnosis and management of symptoms attributable to the cyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Physiologic role of the mitral apparatus in left ventricular regional mechanics, contraction synergy, and global systolic performance.

In animal models, severing the chordae tendineae of the mitral valve reduces the maximum global left ventricular elastance (Emax,g), a load-independent measure of left ventricular systolic performance; moreover, chamber geometry is altered with systolic bulging in the region of the papillary muscle insertions. This suggests that forces transmitted by the mitral apparatus increase the regional volume elastance (Emax,r) of segments subtending the insertions of the papillary muscles, and these regions contribute substantially to overall left ventricular systolic function (Emax,g). To test this hypothesis, we developed a method to evaluate changes in the magnitude and uniformity of Emax,r as quantitated by the slopes (E'max,i) of regional left ventricular isovolumetric pressure-dimension relations. Such measurements were obtained before and after all chordal attachments of the mitral valve were surgically divided in seven open-chest swine preparations. Significant declines in E'max,i were limited to the region of the posteromedial papillary muscle insertion. Although the mean E'max,i of all ventricular regions (E'max,ave) was unchanged, regional left ventricular elastances were less uniform after the mitral chordae tendineae were severed, which indicated a less synergistic contraction, and Emax,g fell by 21% from 7.1 +/- 2.0 to 5.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg/ml (p less than 0.05). These data demonstrate that the mitral apparatus contributes importantly to the magnitude and uniformity of regional left ventricular elastances and suggest that such alterations in regional mechanics underlie the deterioration in global left ventricular systolic performance (Emax,g) after excision of the mitral apparatus.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Torsional deformation of the left ventricular midwall in human hearts with intramyocardial markers: regional heterogeneity and sensitivity to the inotropic effects of abrupt rate changes.

The spiral orientation of left ventricular (LV) fibers suggests that twisting about the ventricular long axis of the apex with respect to the base, i.e., torsional deformation, may be characteristic of LV contraction. To demonstrate this twisting motion, 10 orthotopic human cardiac allograft recipients were studied with biplane cineradiography of tantalum helices implanted within the LV midwall at 12 specific sites. Counterclockwise twisting about the LV long axis (as reviewed from apex to base) accompanied ventricular ejection in all patients. Torsional deformation angles, measured relative to a reference minor axis at the base, were substantially smaller in the anteroapical wall, as compared with counterparts in the apical third of the inferior and lateral walls (anterior = 13.3 +/- 6.0 degrees, inferior = 18.7 +/- 6.3 degrees, and lateral = 23.4 +/- 10.7 degrees). Torsional angles at the midventricular level were roughly half as much and exhibited similar regional variabilities (anterior = 7.6 +/- 3.3 degrees, inferior = 9.0 +/- 3.3 degrees, lateral = 10.7 +/- 5.2 degrees, and septal = 8.8 +/- 3.8 degrees). Comparison of control beats and the initial beat after abrupt cessation of rapid atrial pacing (126 +/- 10 beats/min) with return to the control heart rate (96 +/- 9 beats/min) permitted the mild positive inotropic effect of tachycardia to be assessed at similar levels of ventricular load. Torsional deformation of the anteroapical and inferoapical sites increased significantly (p less than 0.05) over control values to 15.6 +/- 7.5 degrees and 21.2 +/- 5.5 degrees, respectively. In contrast, torsional deformation of the lateral wall was essentially unchanged. These data provide direct evidence for torsional deformation of the left ventricle in humans, demonstrate that torsion of the LV chamber is nonuniform, and suggest a dependence of LV torsion upon contractile strength that is attenuated in the lateral wall.

Heart↗
PubMed1988

Restoration of left ventricular systolic performance after reattachment of the mitral chordae tendineae. The importance of valvular-ventricular interaction.

Clinical studies suggest that chorda-sparing mitral valve replacement techniques are associated with superior postoperative outcome, and several animal experiments have shown that disruption of the mitral subvalvular apparatus is followed by deterioration of left ventricular systolic function. One essential element, however, underlying the importance of chordal integrity for left ventricular function remains unproved: All investigators heretofore have been unable to demonstrate that left ventricular systolic performance can be restored by chordal reattachment after disruption of annular-papillary continuity. Therefore, we studied the effects of chordal detachment and subsequent chordal reattachment on left ventricular systolic performance using an in situ, isovolumic heart preparation in 10 halothane-anesthetized swine. The slope and left ventricular volume intercept of the isovolumic peak pressure-volume relationship were measured to assess global left ventricular systolic performance independent of load. Coronary perfusion pressure was maintained constant (95 +/- 6 mm Hg [+/- standard deviation]), and heart rates were in the physiologic range (133 +/- 26 min-1). Slope changed significantly (repeated measures analysis of variance, p = 0.0002), decreasing by 29% (from 4.74 +/- 0.94 to 3.37 +/- 0.87 mm Hg/ml, p less than 0.001) after chordal detachment and then returning to baseline (6.05 +/- 2.38 mm Hg/ml, p = 0.001) after chordal reattachment. Slope after chordal reattachment was not significantly different from the baseline value (p = 0.074). Volume intercept did not change significantly (p = 0.44) at any time. We conclude that the acute decrease in left ventricular contractility associated with surgical interruption of annular-ventricular continuity can, in fact, be reversed by chordal reattachment in this experimental model (isovolumically contracting normal porcine hearts). These data provide concrete confirmation of the concept of valvular-ventricular interaction; if these findings can be corroborated in the dilated, human left ventricle, such would strongly support efforts to preserve the mitral chordae tendineae during clinical mitral valve replacement to optimize postoperative left ventricular function.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The effect of nitroprusside on pulmonary edema, oxygen exchange, and blood flow in hydrochloric acid aspiration.

In canine pulmonary capillary leak induced by intravenous oleic acid, reducing pulmonary wedge pressure (Ppw) reduces pulmonary edema, venous admixture (Qva/Qt), and cardiac output (Qt). The authors tested the possibility that in another canine model of pulmonary capillary leak, that induced by endobronchial instillation of hydrochloric acid, nitroprusside would reduce Ppw and edema without reducing Qt or oxygen delivery (QO2). In 18 dogs, the authors measured extravascular lung water (EVLW) by thermal-dye dilution and the hemodynamic and gas exchange variables before and at intervals (1, 1.5, 3, and 5 h) after .1 N HCl bronchial infusion. By 1 h, HCl increased EVLW from 175 to 250 ml and Qva/Qt from 11 to 21%. Immediately after the 1-h measurements, the dogs were divided into three equal groups: six controls (C) were maintained with a Ppw of 12 mmHg, while plasmapheresis (P) or nitroprusside (NP) reduced Ppw to 5 mmHg for the next 4 h. EVLW continued to increase to 548 ml in C, but did not increase further in P and NP. Weights of lungs excised at 5 h confirmed that P and NP reduced edema by 50% in 4 h. In C, Qva/Qt increased, but there was no reduction in Qt or QO2. In contrast, plasmapheresis reduced Qva/Qt, Qt, and QO2. With nitroprusside, Qt and QO2 were maintained despite reduced Ppw at 1.5 and 3 h, and Qva/Qt did not decrease as in Group P. We conclude that plasmapheresis-induced reduction in Ppw reduces the pulmonary capillary leak and venous admixture following acid aspiration, but this has the potentially adverse effect of reducing cardiac output and oxygen delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effect of acute human cardiac allograft rejection on left ventricular systolic torsion and diastolic recoil measured by intramyocardial markers.

Left ventricular systolic torsion and diastolic recoil were quantified in 12 human cardiac transplant recipients with surgically implanted intramyocardial markers with the use of computer-aided analysis of biplane cineradiographic images. Measurements were performed between 6 and 16 weeks after surgery and related to the presence or absence of rejection as determined by cardiac biopsy. Torsional deformation, defined as twisting about the left ventricular long axis of the apical region with respect to the base, was characterized in terms of the rate and amplitude of systolic torsion and the rate of diastolic recoil by means of an internal reference system. Comparison of measurements before, during, and after recovery from 14 rejection episodes allowed assessment of the effects of acute reversible cardiomyopathy on left ventricular torsion and recoil. Compared with prerejection values, the amplitude of torsional deformation in the maximally deforming segment (theta max) decreased by 25% from 21.1 +/- 15.2 to 16.0 +/- 5.7 degrees (p less than .005) during acute rejection with myocyte necrosis; this was associated with significant (p less than .05) decreases in the peak systolic torsion rate (+d theta/dtmax), whereas the peak diastolic recoil rate (-d theta/dtmax) was unchanged. This suggests that the stiffness of elastic components of the myocardium may have increased, maintaining the rate of diastolic recoil when these elements are stretched less. With successful treatment of rejection episodes, the torsional deformation characteristics normalized. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and peak left ventricular filling rate were unchanged with rejection episodes, whereas left ventricular end-systolic volume increased (p less than .05) during acute rejection and returned to normal with resolution of the rejection process. These data suggest that left ventricular torsional deformation amplitude and rate are sensitive to episodes of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and that such intramyocardial marker techniques may provide new insights regarding the elastic properties of the ventricular myocardium and their impact on left ventricular mechanics.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Relative contributions of the anterior and posterior mitral chordae tendineae to canine global left ventricular systolic function.

The relative importance of the anterior and posterior mitral chordae tendineae to global left ventricular performance, independent of load, was determined by sequentially measuring the slope of the left ventricular peak isovolumetric pressure-volume relation in a canine model with the chordae of both, either, and neither mitral leaflet(s) intact. The order in which the chordae were severed was randomly assigned. Compared to baseline values (both chordae intact), severing the chordae of the anterior leaflet (posterior leaflet chordae intact) reduced the slope of the pressure-volume relation by 27% (p = 0.005) in 10 dogs; the slope decreased by an additional 16% (p = 0.017) when the posterior chordae were subsequently severed in this group. In 10 dogs randomized to the reverse order, the slope of the pressure-volume relation decreased by 17% (p = 0.021) after the posterior chordae were severed (anterior leaflet chordae intact); an additional 24% decrease in the slope (p = 0.001) occurred when the chordae of the anterior leaflet were subsequently severed in this group. The chordae of the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets have an additive, but statistically indistinguishable (p = 0.140), influence upon global left ventricular systolic performance; however, the contribution of the anterior chordae tends to be more important. Thus preservation of the anterior mitral leaflet and its chordal attachments to the papillary muscles during mitral valve replacement may have an equal or greater impact upon postoperative left ventricular function than mitral valve replacement with preservation of the posterior chordae; however, severing either the anterior or posterior chordae appears to be detrimental.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Myoventriculoplasty and neoventricle myograft cardiac augmentation to establish pulmonary blood flow. Preliminary observations and feasibility studies.

In 10 dogs, a latissimus dorsi muscle (myograft) was neuroelectrically stimulated at 120 cycles/min for as long as 80 days. The higher thresholds and multiple lead penetrations required of direct muscle stimulation for muscle conditioning were avoided. Vascular delay and protective wrapping of the myograft in four dogs resulted in rapid seroma and fibrous sheath formation, which precluded further study. Of the six other myografts that were stimulated, two were used as functional right ventricular myoventriculoplasties and four were employed as neoventricle myografts with inflow and outflow valved conduits that were used to provide total pulmonary blood flow. Myoventriculoplasty produced functional enlargement of the right ventricle with synchronously contractile muscle. Neoventricles provided hemodynamically stable total pulmonary blood flow for as long as 20 hours, until internal chamber thrombus formed. Transpulmonary blood pressure generation by the neoventricle was found to be programmable up to physiologic systemic pressures by modulation of chamber preload and burst stimulation frequency at 50 msec intervals, delivered 120 times per minute. Synchronization capabilities for implantable burst pulse generators would further improve the efficacy of these myograft techniques designed to augment or supplant ventricular function, particularly to provide transpulmonary blood flow at programmable pressures.

Animals↗