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Biomedical subjects

G F Karliczek

Publications and source records attributed to G F Karliczek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The dynamic air bubble trap reduces cerebral microembolism during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychologic disorders are common after coronary artery bypass operations. Air microbubbles are identified as a contributing factor. A dynamic bubble trap might reduce the number of gaseous microemboli. METHODS: A total of 50 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation were recruited for this study. In 26 patients a dynamic bubble trap was placed between the arterial filter and the aortic cannula (group 1), and in 24 patients a placebo dynamic bubble trap was used (group 2). The number of high-intensity transient signals within the proximal middle cerebral artery was continuously measured on both sides during bypass, which was separated into 4 periods: phase 1, start of bypass until aortic clamping; phase 2, aortic clamping until rewarming; phase 3, rewarming until clamp removal; and phase 4, clamp removal until end of bypass. S100 beta values were measured before, immediately after, and 6 and 48 hours after the operation and before hospital discharge. RESULTS: The bubble elimination rate during bypass was 77% in group 1 and 28% in group 2 (P <.0001). The number of high-intensity signals was lower in group 1 during phase 1 (5.8 +/- 7.3 vs 16 +/- 15.4, P <.05 vs group 2) and phase 2 (6.9 +/- 7.3 vs 24.2 +/- 27.3, P <.05 vs group 2) but not during phases 3 and 4. Serum S100 beta values were equally increased in both groups immediately after the operation. Group 2 patients had higher S100 beta values 6 hours after the operation and significantly higher S100 beta values 48 hours after the operation (0.06 +/- 0.14 vs 0.18 +/- 0.24, P =.0133 vs group 2). Age and S100 beta values were correlated in group 2 but not in group 1. CONCLUSION: Gaseous microemboli can be removed with a dynamic bubble trap. Subclinical cerebral injury detectable by increases of S100 beta disappears earlier after surgical intervention.

Aged↗

In vitro effects of dexamethasone on hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Clinically, dexamethasone is known to reduce cerebral edema. To further investigate the mechanism of this neuroprotection, an in vitro model of brain-derived microvessel endothelial cells (BME cells) was used to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability. Furthermore, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is known to be the mediator of hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability, was evaluated. Dexamethasone (40 microg/ml=100 microM) decreased hypoxia-induced permeability and VEGF expression significantly during time periods of more than 3 h. The time dependence of the dexamethasone effect correlated with a changed mechanism by which hypoxia induced VEGF expression. This was deduced because hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability and VEGF mRNA level were decreased in the presence of an antisense oligonucleotide coding for a region which binds a mRNA stabilizing protein, but only up to 3 h of hypoxia. Furthermore, during this time period the half-life of VEGF mRNA was increased. Results suggest that dexamethasone only decreases transcriptional-induced VEGF expression and that this may be related to the efficacy of dexamethasone to treat brain edema.

Animals↗

Hypothermia abolishes hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability in brain microvessel endothelial cells.

The effect of mild (32 degrees C) and deep (22 degrees C) hypothermia on hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability was examined using an in vitro model of brain derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). It was shown that hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability to inulin across the BMEC monolayer was completely abolished at 32 degrees C and 22 degrees C for up to 24 h of hypoxia. During normoxia, no influence of hypothermia on BMEC monolayer permeability was observed. The hypoxia-induced decrease of the cyclic AMP level after 6 h was abolished at 32 degrees C as well as at 22 degrees C of hypoxia. But after 24 h of hypoxia, hypothermia did no longer prevent the hypoxia-induced decrease of the cAMP level, which suggests that the effect of hypothermia on hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability is not caused by maintenance of the cAMP level. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be the mediator of hypoxia-induced permeability changes of BMEC via the release of nitric oxide (NO), the effect of hypothermia on the VEGF expression was evaluated. During normoxia, hypothermia did not change the VEGF expression significantly but the hypoxia-induced increase in VEGF mRNA and protein expression was completely abolished at 32 degrees C and 22 degrees C respectively. Accordingly, the hypoxia-induced increase of the cGMP level was depressed by hypothermia, which demonstrates that also the amount of NO released during hypoxia is decreased at lower temperatures. Results suggest that deep as well as mild hypothermia decreased hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability by lowering the expression of the permeability-increasing protein VEGF and with it the release of NO.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Hypoxia induces permeability in brain microvessel endothelial cells via VEGF and NO.

In this study, an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier, consisting of porcine brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC), was used to evaluate the mechanism of hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability. We show that hypoxia-induced permeability in BMEC was completely abolished by a neutralizing antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, under normoxic conditions, addition of VEGF up to 100 ng/ml did not alter monolayer barrier function. Treatment with either hypoxia or VEGF under normoxic conditions induced a twofold increase in VEGF binding sites and VEGF receptor 1 (Flt-1) mRNA expression in BMEC. Hypoxia-induced permeability also was prevented by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, suggesting that NO is involved in hypoxia-induced permeability changes, which was confirmed by measurements of the cGMP level. During normoxia, treatment with VEGF (5 ng/ml) increased permeability as well as cGMP content in the presence of several antioxidants. These results suggest that hypoxia-induced permeability in vitro is mediated by the VEGF/VEGF receptor system in an autocrine manner and is essentially dependent on reducing conditions stabilizing the second messenger NO as the mediator of changes in barrier function of BMEC.

Animals↗

Barbiturates decrease the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hypoxic cultures of porcine brain derived microvascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be produced in higher amounts during hypoxia by a variety of cell types and has been shown to increase the permeability of brain derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) during hypoxia by an autocrine mechanism. Because the barbiturates, methohexital (MH) and thiopental (TP), induced a dose-dependent reduction in hypoxia-induced permeability changes of BMEC, the effect of both barbiturates on the VEGF expression during hypoxia was investigated. Both barbiturates decreased the hypoxia-induced expression of VEGF in BMEC in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect is partly caused by the impairment of the hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA stabilization. VEGF-induced permeability changes during normoxia were unaffected by the barbiturates suggesting that MH and TP are directly reducing hypoxia-induced VEGF synthesis. In conclusion, the inhibiting effect of these barbiturates on the hypoxia-induced VEGF expression results in the decreased permeability of the BMEC monolayer during hypoxia, which may contribute to the described neuroprotective action of barbiturates by reduction of brain edema formation.

Adenosine↗

Role of adenosine in the hypoxic induction of vascular endothelial growth factor in porcine brain derived microvascular endothelial cells.

Hypoxia induced the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in porcine brain derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) in a time-dependent manner. Corresponding to the mRNA induction the protein level of VEGF was elevated during hypoxia. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) reduced the hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA and protein expression significantly. The treatment of BMEC with cobalt chloride-known to activate an oxygen sensing mechanism similar to the one used by the erythropoietin gene-also induced the VEGF mRNA expression, but 8-PT did not reduce this VEGF induction. Although, earlier studies revealed that agents like phorbolester induced the VEGF mRNA expression, the specific inhibitor of the proteinkinase C (PKC) bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) did not reduce but enhanced the hypoxia-induced VEGF mRNA expression. These results indicate that the VEGF induction in BMEC can proceed through PKC-dependent and -independent pathways (like those acting via the putative oxygen sensor). Hypoxia in BMEC probably activates the PKC-dependent pathway mainly via adenosine which might be formed during hypoxia and thereby inhibits activation of PKC-independent, oxygen sensing, pathways. This suggestion was supported by the fact that hypoxia as well as adenosine increased the VEGF mRNA expression post-transcriptionally by enhancing the stability of the VEGF mRNA [corrected].

Adenosine↗

Effects of barbiturates on hypoxic cultures of brain derived microvascular endothelial cells.

An in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) consisting of porcine brain derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) seeded onto collagen-coated polycarbonate membranes was used to investigate the effects of the barbiturates, methohexital and thiopental, on permeability properties of the endothelial cell monolayer under hypoxia. The permeability of cultured BMEC to ions and sucrose increased significantly during 6 h of hypoxia in a reversible manner. Cells were resistant to hypoxia for up to 24 h, but 48 h resulted in marked damage as assessed by the release of lactate dehydrogenase activity into the culture medium. The hypoxia-induced increase of the permeability was unchanged in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Methohexital and thiopental decreased the hypoxia-induced permeability increase in a concentration-dependent manner and permeability changes were abolished completely at the barbiturate concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. The barbiturates had no effect on the intracellular cAMP content which started to decline after 3 h of hypoxia. Results suggest that barbiturates at high concentrations might be able to prevent permeability changes of the BBB during cerebral ischemia.

Animals↗

Expression of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in pig cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and its upregulation by adenosine.

Porcine brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) express the mRNA of the polypeptide mitogen vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF). The VEGF mRNA expression in BMEC could be upregulated 2.5 fold after 6 h of treatment with 5 microM adenosine and adenosine agonists. Adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonists completely abolished the upregulation of the VEGF mRNA caused by adenosine. Agents like forskolin and cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors which are known to increase the cAMP level decreased the VEGF mRNA expression slightly whereas agents like phorbolester which activate the proteinkinase C (PKC) pathway enhanced the VEGF mRNA expression 3.2 fold. The specific inhibitor of the PKC bisindolymaleimide (BIM) abolished the upregulation of the VEGF mRNA by adenosine completely. The BMEC conditioned medium stimulated the proliferation of BMEC itself and Western blot analysis of the BMEC conditioned medium using a polyclonal antibody to human VEGF showed one band at 18 kDa which was slightly upregulated after treatment with adenosine. Results suggest that the effect of adenosine on the VEGF mRNA expression is mediated via the A1 receptor and that an activation of the PKC may be involved in the observed effects of adenosine on the VEGF mRNA expression. VEGF produced by BMEC and which is inducible by adenosine may function via the autocrine pathway and may be involved in repair reactions of brain blood vessels and/or the maintenance of these cells.

Adenosine↗

In vitro effects of fentanyl, methohexital, and thiopental on brain endothelial permeability.

BACKGROUND: The use of anesthetics can lead to changes of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To eliminate those factors, such as varying hemodynamic effects that are associated with anesthesia, an in vitro model of the BBB consisting of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) was used to study the direct effects of the opiate, fentanyl, and the barbiturates methohexital and thiopental, which are widely used in the clinical setting, on the permeability of confluent monolayers. METHODS: BMEC isolated from porcine brains were grown to confluence on collagen-coated polycarbonate membranes, which were placed into 24 well dishes, thus forming a two-compartment chamber. The permeability of the BMEC monolayer to ions--determined by measurements of the transendothelial resistance (TER)--the passage of sucrose, Evans Blue albumin (EBA), and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) across the BMEC monolayer were assessed in the presence and absence of fentanyl (25-100 ng/ml), methohexital (10-50 micrograms/ml), and thiopental (25-100 micrograms/ml). RESULTS: The permeability of cultured BMEC to the tracers used increased significantly after exposure of the monolayer to arabinose and after removal of calcium ions. Fentanyl, methohexital, and thiopental did not change the permeability of the cell monolayer to ions, sucrose, albumin, and AIB. Only thiopental at the concentration of 100 micrograms/ml increased the flux of AIB. CONCLUSIONS: At the concentrations tested, there is little evidence of changes in the permeability of the in vitro BBB caused by fentanyl, methohexital, and thiopental regarding the para- and transcellular route of ions, sucrose, and albumin. Only thiopental at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml increased the passage of AIB across the BMEC monolayer.

Albumins↗

Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular dynamics of pipecuronium bromide during coronary artery surgery.

The haemodynamic effects of 200 micrograms.kg-1 pipecuronium and pancuronium were compared under etomidate/piritramide anaesthesia in 20 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery surgery. Following the completion of the haemodynamic measurements (ten minutes), anaesthesia was maintained by etomidate/sufentanil infusion. The mean changes in cardiac output were approximately -19 and -2 per cent and in heart rate -1 and +26 per cent for pipecuronium and pancuronium respectively. Plasma and urine concentrations of pipecuronium were also measured and the pharmacokinetic variables obtained indicated rapid initial decrease in plasma concentration (t1/2 = 7.6 minutes) followed by a longer terminal phase (t1/2 = 161 minutes). The central compartment volume was 102 +/- 24 ml.kg-1 and plasma clearance was 1.8 +/- 0.4 ml.kg-1 min-1. Approximately 56 per cent of the dose was recovered from the urine within 24 hours of administration and about 25 per cent of this was the metabolite, 3-desacetyl pipecuronium. High-dose pipecuronium administration under the anaesthetic regimen employed did not produce deleterious haemodynamic effects. The pharmacokinetic variables after bolus injection of pipecuronium did not deviate from those reported under normothermic conditions.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Clinical effect of Bretschneider-HTK and St. Thomas cardioplegia on hemodynamic performance after bypass measured using an automatic datalogging database system.

A prospective consecutive study was undertaken to compare the hemodynamic effect of two cardioplegic solutions in CABG patients after bypass, and in relation to aorta occlusion time with the support of a automatic datalogging database. A total of 249 patients were randomized. One group received Bretschneider cardioplegic HTK solution (132 patients, group I) the other group received St. Thomas cardioplegic solution (117 patients, group II). The data was divided in four periods of aortic clamp time: less than or equal to 40 min (group I 26 patients, group II 32 patients); 41-60 min (group I 49 patients, group II 47 patients); 61-80 min (group I 30 patients, group II 29 patients); and greater than 80 minutes (group I 27 pts, group II 9 patients). Anesthesia regime and therapeutic drugs and infusions were given in both groups in similar dosages. Within both groups HR, CO, PAP, PCWP increased after bypass in relation to prebypass values. SVR decreased in both groups by 30%, MAP and PVR decreased only in group I. Between group I and II differences were found in the CI (3.0 vs. 3.3 l/min/m2), MAP (70 vs. 76 mmHg), PMAR (18 vs. 16 mHg), and SVR (827 vs. 954 dyn.sec.cm-5). In significantly more of the patients in group I, sinus rhythm started spontaneously after the release of the aorta clamp (39.5% vs. 20.4%, p less than 0.005). Patients in group I needed temporarily a pacemaker after bypass in 6.3% cases (in 1.1% of patients in group II,). There was no relation of the hemodynamic data in relation to aorta occlusion time within the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bicarbonates↗

[Experiences with an anesthesia protocol written by computer].

Since December 1983, we have used a computer system for charting and data logging in cardiac and thoracic anesthesia. These computers, designed as stand-alone units, were developed at our hospital based on Motorola 6809 microprocessor systems. All measurements derived from anesthetic monitoring, ventilator, and heart-lung machine are automatically sampled at regular intervals and stored for later data management. Laboratory results are automatically received from the hospital computer system. The user communicates with the system via a terminal and a keyboard; this also facilitates the entering of all comments, medications, infusions, and fluid losses. All data are continuously displayed on an A3 format anesthetic chart using a multi-pen, flat-bed plotter. The operation of the system has proved to be simple and needs less time than charting by hand, while the result, the display on the chart, is far clearer and more complete than any handwritten document. Up to now 3,200 operations (corresponding to 12,500 anesthetic h) have been documented. The failure rate of the system, defined as an interruption of the documentation for more than 30 min is 2.1%. Further development of the system is discussed. A data base for processing the stored data has been developed and is being tested at present.

Anesthesia, General↗

Carola, a computer system for automatic documentation in anesthesia.

A computer system has been designed for documentation and data acquisition during open heart surgery. This computer system (called 'Carola') processes all patient data during cardiac surgery. More than 50 analogue or digital signals are scanned. These are derived from a monitoring rack, a Siemens Servo 900B ventilator with its accessory devices and a heart lung machine. All these values are plotted as well as offline data, such as medications, fluids, laboratory results and user comments, on an A3 format anesthetic record using an eight pen flat bed plotter. Simultaneously all data is written onto a cassette tape. These tapes are then transferred to a database for storage and statistical processing. The sampling frequency is every 10 seconds, averages being calculated over one minute periods. The chart is updated once a minute normally or every 15 minutes for slowly changing signals e.g. temperatures. Hardware and software of the computer have modular design. The hardware consists of two Motorola 6809 based microprocessor systems. The software is entirely written in Pascal. The user interface is implemented on a menu driven basis. A terminal with a keyboard is used for the communication with the users, namely anesthetic nurses and anesthesiologists. The system was readily accepted by the users. The menu structure proved to be easy to learn and allowed fast entries, even when the users were not previously accustomed to the use of a keyboard. The clear and detailed presentation of the data on the plotted chart helped to detect trends early and facilitated therapeutic decisions. From december 1983 the first prototype was used on a routine basis, followed by a second unit in June 1984 and a third in December 1985. Up to now more than 12.500 anesthetic hours have been recorded. Since then almost 100% of all anesthetics performed in our cardiothoracic unit have been documented by the computers, including all short procedures without invasive monitoring and all emergencies.

Anesthesiology↗