PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Michael M H Cheung

Publications and source records attributed to Michael M H Cheung.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Randomized controlled trial of the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on children undergoing cardiac surgery: first clinical application in humans.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in children undergoing repair of congenital heart defects. BACKGROUND: Remote ischemic preconditioning reduces injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion in distant organs. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with multi-system injury. We hypothesized that RIPC would modulate injury induced by CPB. METHODS: Children undergoing repair of congenital heart defects were randomized to RIPC or control treatment. Remote ischemic preconditioning was induced by four 5-min cycles of lower limb ischemia and reperfusion using a blood pressure cuff. Measurements of lung mechanics, cytokines, and troponin I were made pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were studied. There were 20 control patients and 17 patients in the RIPC group. The mean age and weight of the RIPC and control patients were not different (0.9 +/- 0.9 years vs. 2.2 +/- 3.4 years, p = 0.4; and 6.9 +/- 2.9 kg vs. 11.5 +/- 10 kg, p = 0.06). Bypass and cross-clamp times were not different (80 +/- 24 min vs. 88 +/- 25 min, p = 0.3; and 55 +/- 13 min vs. 59 +/- 13 min, p = 0.4). Levels of troponin I postoperatively were greater in the control patients compared with the RIPC group (p = 0.04), indicating greater myocardial injury in control patients. Postoperative inotropic requirement was greater in the control patients compared with RIPC patients at both 3 and 6 h (7.9 +/- 4.7 vs. 10.9 +/- 3.2, p = 0.04; and 7.3 +/- 4.9 vs. 10.8 +/- 3.9, p = 0.03, respectively). The RIPC group had significantly lower airway resistance at 6 h postoperatively (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the myocardial protective effects of RIPC using a simple noninvasive technique of four 5-min cycles of lower limb ischemia and reperfusion. These novel data support the need for a larger study of RIPC in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Child, Preschool↗

Disruption of the ventricular myocardial force-frequency relationship after cardiac surgery in children: noninvasive assessment by means of tissue Doppler imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired ventricular function after cardiopulmonary bypass and surgical repair remains a commonly encountered clinical problem. We hypothesized that the well-described impairment of calcium cycling after cardiac surgery would significantly affect the ventricular myocardial force-frequency relationship, which can be measured noninvasively by using the tissue Doppler echocardiography-derived index of contractility isovolumic acceleration. METHODS: Children undergoing repair of congenital heart defects were studied. Rate-related changes in contractility were measured by means of simultaneous atrial pacing and tissue Doppler echocardiography preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Although closure of atrial septal defect did not affect ventricular myocardial systolic performance, closure of ventricular septal defect lead to a marked postoperative decrease of basal contractile force (2.0 +/- 0.7 m/s2 preoperatively vs 1.0 +/- 0.7 m/s2 postoperatively, P < .02). Furthermore, the force-frequency relationship curves were significantly different (P < .001), with a reduced force-rate trajectory, and also peak force was attained. Neonates undergoing the arterial switch procedure showed the most marked postoperative decrease of isovolumic acceleration at basal heart rates and force-frequency relationship with reduced trajectory and peak force development (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical study describing the noninvasive acquisition of ventricular force-frequency relationships in children undergoing operations for congenital heart disease. There is a marked variability in response, ranging from no effect in patients undergoing atrial septal defect closure to a profound reduction in myocardial contractile responses after neonatal arterial switch. This simple noninvasive method allows measurement of a hitherto rarely examined property of the myocardium, an understanding of which might allow refinement of myocardial protection and postoperative myocardial support.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

The remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus modifies gene expression in mouse myocardium.

BACKGROUND: We have recently demonstrated that remote ischemic preconditioning reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. The mechanisms by which the remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus exerts its effect remain to be fully defined, and its effect on myocardial gene expression is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that remote ischemic preconditioning modifies myocardial gene expression immediately after the remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus (early phase) and 24 hours later (late phase). METHODS: Twenty male (C57BL/6) 10- to 12-week-old mice were randomized into 4 groups: group 1 (control, early phase; n = 5), group 2 (remote ischemic preconditioning, early phase; n = 5), group 3 (control, late phase; n = 5), and group 4 (remote ischemic preconditioning, late phase; n = 5). Groups 2 and 4 underwent remote ischemic preconditioning induced by 6 cycles of 4 minutes of occlusion and 4 minutes of reperfusion of the femoral artery. Groups 1 and 2 were killed 15 minutes after completion of sham procedure or remote ischemic preconditioning, and the hearts were removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Groups 3 and 4 were killed 24 hours after remote ischemic preconditioning, and the hearts were harvested in the same fashion. Gene expression was assessed by using the Affymetrix MG-430A chip (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif). RESULTS: Data filtering (P < .05, analysis of variance) and hierarchic 2-way clustering identified significant differences in gene expression among the 4 groups. Genes involved in protection against oxidative stress (eg, Hadhsc, Prdx4, and Fabp4) and cytoprotection (Hsp73) were upregulated, whereas many proinflammatory genes (eg, Egr-1 and Dusp 1 and 6) were suppressed. CONCLUSION: A simple remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus modifies myocardial gene expression by upregulating cardioprotective genes and suppressing genes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Late complications of repair of tetralogy of Fallot and indications for pulmonary valve replacement.

With increasing follow-up of patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot, the long-term complications of chronic pulmonary regurgitation (PR), ventricular dilation, electrical inhomogeneity and myocardial scarring are becoming apparent. In this article we review the existing literature regarding the deleterious effects of chronic PR in these patients and the current data regarding the timing and mode of intervention.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

The remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus modifies inflammatory gene expression in humans.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) reduces tissue injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in distant organs. We tested the hypothesis that remote IPC (rIPC) modifies inflammatory gene transcription in humans. Using a microarray method, we demonstrated that a simple model of brief forearm ischemia suppresses proinflammatory gene expression in circulating leukocytes. Genes encoding key proteins involved in cytokine synthesis, leukocyte chemotaxis, adhesion and migration, exocytosis, innate immunity signaling pathways, and apoptosis were all suppressed within 15 min (early phase IPC) and more so after 24 h (second window IPC). Changes in leukocyte CD11b expression measured by flow cytometry mirrored this pattern, with there being a significant (P = 0.01) reduction at 24 h. The results of this study show that the rIPC stimulus modifies leukocyte inflammatory gene expression. This effect may contribute to the protective effect of IPC against IR injury and may have broader implications in other inflammatory processes. This is the first study of human gene expression following rIPC stimulus. rIPC stimulus suppressed proinflammatory gene transcription in human leukocytes.

Adult↗

Continuous measurement of oxygen consumption during cardiopulmonary bypass: description of the method and in vivo observations.

BACKGROUND: Systemic oxygen consumption is not routinely measured during cardiopulmonary bypass, despite its potential benefits. We aimed to develop a noninvasive method to continuously measure oxygen consumption using respiratory mass spectrometry during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in pigs. METHODS: Nine pigs weighing 18.5 (1.6) kg underwent hypothermic (32 degrees C) cardiopulmonary bypass for 180 minutes with 120 minutes of aortic cross clamping. An AMIS 2000 mass spectrometer (Innovision A/S, Odense, Denmark) was adapted for the on-line measurement of oxygen consumption by sampling the inlet and outlet gases of the membrane oxygenator together with measurement of the "expired" gas volume. RESULTS: Active cooling for 60 minutes reduced the venous blood temperature by 2.9 (0.8) degrees C and VO(2) by 0.70 (0.33) mL/kg/min. The 40-minute active rewarming restored the venous blood temperature by 4.4 (0.4) degrees C and oxygen consumption increased by 1.36 (0.33) mL/kg/min. There was wide interanimal variability, however, particularly at higher venous blood temperatures. Immediately after the release of aortic cross clamp, there was a noticeably acute increase in oxygen consumption in all the pigs (0.64 [0.21] mL/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: A simple and safe adaptation of mass spectrometry allows continuous measurement of oxygen consumption during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The wide interindividual variations observed in this pilot study underscore the need to more accurately describe changes in oxygen consumption and how they are affected by temperature, oxygen delivery, and other interventions during cardiopulmonary bypass. As such, the technique may have an important role in clinical research and management of oxygen transport in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Animals↗

The effects of changes in loading conditions and modulation of inotropic state on the myocardial performance index: comparison with conductance catheter measurements.

AIM: The myocardial performance index (MPI), or Tei index, has been shown to be useful in the assessment of global myocardial performance. There are few invasive data however, which examine its load dependence or sensitivity to acute changes in contractile function. The purpose of this study was therefore to study formally the effect of clinically relevant changes in these parameters in an animal model. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined 10 Yorkshire pigs using echocardiographic assessment and simultaneous measurements of intraventricular pressure and volume by conductance catheterization. With dobutamine infusion, there was no significant change in the MPI (0.26+/-0.13-0.22+/-0.11; p=0.42), but dP/dtmax increased significantly (1001+/-240-1569+/-532 mm Hg/s, p<0.001). Afterload increase (40% change in ventricular pressure) and preload reduction (20% change in ventricular volume) were associated with significant increases in the MPI (0.26+/-0.13-0.49+/-0.20; p<0.005 and 0.26+/-0.13-0.51+/-0.20; p<0.001, respectively) without any significant change in maximal elastance (Ees). CONCLUSIONS: The MPI, or Tei index, is significantly affected by acute changes in loading conditions but is unable to consistently detect acute changes in contractile function.

Animals↗

Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular force-frequency relationships using tissue Doppler-derived isovolumic acceleration: validation in an animal model.

BACKGROUND: We have demonstrated that myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction (IVA) is a sensitive index of right ventricular contractile function. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of IVA to measure left ventricular (LV) contractile function and force-frequency relationships in an experimental preparation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In study 1, we examined 6 pigs by use of tissue Doppler imaging of LV free wall and simultaneous measurements of intraventricular pressure, volume, maximal elastance (Emax), and dP/dtmax by conductance catheterization. Animals were paced via the right atrium at a rate of 130 bpm. IVA was compared with elastance during contractility modulation by esmolol and dobutamine and assessed during preload reduction and afterload increase. In study 2, in 6 more pigs, force-frequency data were obtained during incremental atrial pacing from 120 to 180 bpm. Study 1: Esmolol led to a decrease in IVA and Emax (P<0.03 and <0.02, respectively), both of which increased during dobutamine infusion (P<0.02 and <0.03, respectively). IVA was unaffected by significant (P<0.001) acute reduction of LV volume and a significantly increased LV afterload (systolic pressure increase, P<0.001). Study 2: There was a positive correlation between IVA and dP/dtmax (r2=0.92, P<0.05). As heart rate was increased from 120 to 160 bpm, there were significant increases in both IVA and dP/dtmax (P<0.0004 and P=0.02, respectively). Over the same range of heart rates, there was no significant change in Emax (P=0.22). CONCLUSIONS: IVA is a measurement of LV contractile function that is unaffected by preload and afterload changes within a physiological range and can be used noninvasively to measure LV force-frequency relationships.

Animals↗

Doppler tissue echocardiography: can transesophageal echocardiography be used to acquire functional data?

BACKGROUND: To date there is no direct comparison of transesophageal and transthoracic Doppler tissue data in patients with cardiac malposition. We compared data acquired from both methods in an animal model. METHOD: We studied 10 15-kg Yorkshire pigs during incremental atrial pacing to modify myocardial responses. Peak isovolumic velocity (IVV) and isovolumic acceleration (IVA) during isovolumic contraction, ejection (S wave), and diastolic velocities (early passive and active filling, E and A wave, respectively) were measured. RESULTS: Bland-Altman plots showed comparable values for IVA, IVV, and E velocity using both methods. Measurements of A velocities were significantly different. S wave velocity measurements were significantly different in animals with cardiac malposition but not in those with levocardia. Malposition did not significantly effect measurements of IVA or IVV by either technique. CONCLUSION: Assessment of systolic function using the indices IVA and IVV by tranesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography are comparable. The tranesophageal assessment of velocities associated with greater degrees of myocardial shortening or lengthening cannot be directly compared with measurements derived from a transthoracic approach in patients with cardiac malposition.

Animals↗

Percutaneous left ventricular "vent" insertion for left heart decompression during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: Description of a novel method of left ventricular decompression by a percutaneous technique under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Supraregional cardiac referral center. PATIENT: PATIENT with end-stage cardiomyopathy. INTERVENTIONS: Percutaneous insertion of a modified Mullins transseptal sheath under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Successful decompression of the left ventricle and subsequent orthotopic heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients at high risk of bleeding, a percutaneous technique may be useful for left ventricular decompression.

Adolescent↗

Optimal timing of the Ross procedure in the management of chronic aortic incompetence in the young.

UNLABELLED: The appropriate timing of intervention in patients with chronic aortic incompetence allows recovery of ventricular function. We sought to determine the optimal timing of the Ross procedure for chronic aortic incompetence in young patients. We retrospectively analysed case notes, and measured pre- and postoperative echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular function, in patients who had undergone the Ross procedure for chronic aortic incompetence. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found 21 patients with preoperative and postoperative data suitable for analysis. Their age at operation ranged from 5.6 to 26 years, with a median of 13.8 years, and the duration of follow-up was from 0.5 to 6.8 years, with a median of 2.4 years. The preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was converted to a z-score, and this was used as a threshold to divide the population. Using the threshold of a preoperative left ventricular z-score of more than 3 to divide the population did not show any difference in postoperative parameters of left ventricular function. Significant differences were found postoperatively, however, in both the left ventricular z-score and the ratio of left ventricular end-diastolic radius to posterior wall thickness in diastole, with a cutoff preoperative threshold z-score greater than 4. CONCLUSION: The increase in the ratio of left ventricular end-diastolic radius to the thickness of the posterior wall in diastole would suggest that there is disruption of left ventricular short axis architecture and myocardial contractile function when intervention is postponed. The significantly larger left ventricular dimension at end-diastole, despite the reduction in volume loading post surgery, may also demonstrate irreversible structural changes. Our data would suggest that recovery of left ventricular function is less likely when the left ventricular z-score has reached the value of 4, and that, ideally, intervention should be performed when the z-score approaches or exceeds 3.

Adolescent↗

T wave alternans threshold late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

INTRODUCTION: Sustained microvolt-level T wave alternans (TWA) is a marker of increased risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmia. There is a significant risk of arrhythmia and sudden death after repair of congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of TWA after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). METHODS AND RESULTS: TWA was evaluated during bicycle exercise in 49 subjects who had consecutively undergone transatrial-transpulmonary repair. Median values for age, age at repair, and follow-up duration were 14.9 years (11.5-20.8), 1.6 years (0.2-4.9), and 11.6 years (9.4-17.2), respectively. All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I and were asymptomatic. Median QRS duration was 120 msec (80-150). Sustained TWA was detected in 7 (23%) of 31 subjects with adequate tests. In these 7 subjects, median onset heart rate (HR) was 120 (98-155). Median HR threshold as a percentage of predicted maximum HR (220 - age) was 58% (48-77). Sustained TWA prevalence was not significantly different compared with normal subjects (7/31 vs 9/83; P = 0.1). Onset HR in the TOF group was significantly lower [mean (SD) of 122 (20) vs 139 (12), P < 0.05]. In the TOF group with sustained TWA, the TWA occurred in 4 of 7 at <60% predicted maximum HR versus 1 of 9 normal subjects (P < 0.05); 3 of 7 had onset HR <120 versus 0 of 9 normal subjects (P < 0.03). There was no significant difference in age, gender, transannular patch use, restrictive right ventricular physiology, QRS duration, QTc, QT/QRS dispersion, or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in subjects with or those without sustained TWA. CONCLUSION: The onset HR for sustained TWA is significantly lower after repair of TOF. Further study is required to determine whether this represents an increased risk for arrhythmia in this patient group.

Adolescent↗