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Eldon R Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Eldon R Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Opening the pericardium during pulmonary artery constriction improves cardiac function.

During acute pulmonary hypertension, both the pericardium and the right ventricle (RV) constrain left ventricular (LV) filling; therefore, pericardiotomy should improve LV function. LV, RV, and pericardial pressures and RV and LV dimensions and LV stroke volume (SV) were measured in six anesthetized dogs. The pericardium was closed, the chest was left open, and the lungs were held away from the heart. Data were collected at baseline, during pulmonary artery constriction (PAC), and after pericardiotomy with PAC maintained. PAC decreased SV by one-half. RV diameter increased, and septum-to-LV free wall diameter and LV area (our index of LV end-diastolic volume) decreased. Compared with during PAC, pericardiotomy increased LV area and SV increased 35%. LV and RV compliance (pressure-dimension relations) and LV contractility (stroke work-LV area relations) were unchanged. Although series interaction accounts for much of the decreased cardiac output during acute pulmonary hypertension, pericardial constraint and leftward septal shift are also important. Pericardiotomy can improve LV function in the absence of other sources of external constraint to LV filling.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The cost of illness.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biomedical Technology↗
PubMed2002

Academic health sciences centres: a view from the academy.

Academic Health Sciences Centres have provided and continue to provide valuable service to society. However, the lack of a clear mandate, structure, governance and administration results in their full potential not being met. As the Canadian healthcare system undergoes the reform that must occur to make the publicly funded system sustainable into the future, it is essential that AHSCs have clarification of their roles, develop a distinct governance structure and be provided a distinct budget for a set of deliverables within an agreed-upon accountability framework.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2002

Effects of acute volume loading and hemorrhage on intestinal vascular capacitance: a mechanism whereby capacitance modulates cardiac output.

BACKGROUND: Changes in intestinal vascular capacitance during acute volume loading and hemorrhage have not been described. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of volume loading and hemorrhage on the intestinal vascular pressure-volume relationship and cardiac output. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 11 alpha-chloralose-anesthetized dogs, a pneumatic portal venous constrictor and catheter were positioned to increase and measure portal venous pressure (Ppv), respectively. Relative changes in intestinal blood volume (IBV) were determined by blood-pool scintigraphy and expressed as the percentage change from control values (taken as 100%). Ppv-IBV relationships were constructed by graded portal vein constriction. RESULTS: IBV and cardiac output increased by 60 6% and 178 48%, respectively, and Ppv increased from 5.8 0.9 mmHg to 13.2 1.8 mmHg after initial volume loading (40 mL/kg of an isotonic glucose-saline solution over 7 min). IBV gradually decreased and reached near-control values after 75 min. In seven dogs, hemorrhage (sufficient to decrease mean aortic pressure by 56 4%) decreased IBV and cardiac output to 88 4% and 52 3% of control values, respectively, and Ppv decreased to 3.2 0.8 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: A sigmoid function curve defined the relationship between cardiac output and IBV. Cardiac output remained constant over a wide range (between approximately 95% and 135% of control IBV). Outside this range, insufficient dilation or constriction resulted in a marked increase or decrease in venous pressures and cardiac output. These data indicate that vasculature capacitance modulates cardiac output during acute volume loading and hemorrhage, thereby maintaining cardiac output relatively constant over a wide range of total vascular blood volume.

Animals↗