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Biomedical subjects

A Noordergraaf

Publications and source records attributed to A Noordergraaf.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Intramyocardial pressure: interaction of myocardial fluid pressure and fiber stress.

Previous measurements of intramyocardial pressure (IMP) have yielded systolic pressures that range from values lower than to far exceeding systolic left ventricular pressure (LVP). This study identifies a possible mechanism underlying these divergent observations by building on established morphology of the ventricular wall. It is hypothesized here that the generation of fiber stress as a manifestation of myocardial contraction increases fluid pressure in the myocytes and the interstitial spaces. This increase in fluid pressure in turn generates the pressure in the ventricular cavity. Thus there are two quantities of interest: intramyocardial fluid pressure (IFP) and intramyocardial fiber stress (IFS). To test the hypothesis, we conducted experiments on conditioned dogs, utilizing a side-mounted catheter-tip strain gauge transducer to sense IMP as the sum of IFP and some component of IFS. In addition, a recessed end-tip fiber-optic transducer with its sensing element shielded from local myocardial fibers was employed to sense IFP. Both IFP and IMP were measured at various depths in the left ventricular free wall. The effects of inotropic interventions by administration of epinephrine and propranolol, mechanical interventions via clamping of the aorta and ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and neural interventions by stimulation of the ansa subclavian of the stellate ganglion and right vagus were recorded. A transmural gradient in the wall for both IMP and IFP was observed. Systolic values of IFP recorded in the endocardium match those of LVP, with peak IMP exceeding both. The results support the hypothesis and offer an interpretation of the long-standing controversy regarding the magnitude of IMP with respect to LVP.

Animals↗

Nonlinear structural and material properties and models: the pulmonary trunk.

General models are developed for static and dynamic geometric and material passive responses. The models are applied to data obtained from the main pulmonary arteries of calves and dogs. The structural model predicts distortions by simultaneous stretching and bending in a concise manner. Parameters are obtained by a five-element material model. This latter predicts static and dynamic, nonlinear, frequency-dependent, viscoelastic responses observed in biomaterials over the entire strain range irrespective of the nature of loading. Validity and baseline parameter values are investigated for the inactivated state, developed by poisoning the smooth muscle with potassium cyanide. Complexities, related to nonlinear (strain-dependent) and colloidal (thixotropic) properties of tissues, are analyzed. These properties enter into functional responses in a complex manner that can modify substantially concepts of material components and vary appreciably between physiologic circumstances and laboratory evaluations. We propose that, in general, evaluations of material responses must account for these properties.

Animals↗

Pressure pulse transmission into vascular beds.

Observations at the microcirculatory level have revealed that (a) the pressure pulse reaches the smallest vessel, and (b) the pulse wave velocity alters from a value in the order of meters/second in large arteries to a value in the order of centimeters/second in the microvessels. We investigate, herein, whether these experimental findings are consonant with linear pulse wave transmission theory in a branching system of vessels. Our computations, utilizing available data, show that this is indeed the case. For low frequency (1 Hz), cumulative attenuation is such that about one-third of the pulse, originating at the heart, reaches the capillary. A 10-Hz pulse, however, is virtually completely attenuated by the time the capillary is reached. Transmission time for a pulse, from heart to capillary, is also frequency dependent, with higher frequencies propagating more rapidly. Vasoconstriction, at the arteriolar level in the absence of reflection, can also strongly attenuate the pulse remnant at that site.

Blood Pressure↗

Directional disparity of pulse reflection in the dog.

Local reflection coefficients were experimentally determined in the dog for the first time at the aortoiliac junction using characteristic impedances derived from phase velocity, fluid density, and the vessels' cross-sectional areas. Reflection coefficients were determined for both the normal trifurcation and with the segment of aorta between external and internal iliacs occluded. For the normal case the coefficients were as follows: antegrade, 0.7; retrograde, -0.74. For the occlusion case the coefficients were as follows: antegrade, 0.33; retrograde, -0.67. These results provide experimental support for the concept that the vascular system, at least in this region, favors antegrade and suppresses retrograde pulse transmission. In addition, global reflection coefficients were determined in the femoral artery using a three-point pressure technique. Coefficient magnitudes varied from low (1.6 Hz) to high (9.6 Hz) frequencies, i.e., control, 0.42-0.22; vasoconstriction, 0.65-0.33; vasodilation, less than 0.1 for all frequencies. Discrepancies between results appearing in the literature are evaluated and shown to be associated with the method utilized as well as with system nonlinearities enhanced by tying branches.

Animals↗

Arterial tonometry: review and analysis.

A review is presented of the field of arterial tonometry and of the problems involved with its application. A second generation model is developed which interprets most of the difficulties encountered in previous experimental work. The model also identifies barriers that must be overcome to allow tonometry to become a practical technique for obtaining measurement of continuous, absolute blood pressure. Problems addressed include those of calibration, positioning sensitivity, design standardization, material properties and vascular loading characteristics. Theoretical and experimental studies provide support for the application of basic biomechanical concepts for solution of these problems and suggest required design features.

Arteries↗

Pressure gradient related to energy conversion in the aorta.

In this study, we analyzed a common form of experimental investigation of blood vessels, in which measurements are obtained with branches ligated. Utilizing representative pressure and flow pulses and the full expression for the equation of motion, we calculated the axial pressure gradient, in the time domain at a plane in the descending aorta. The time function representing the ratio between axial pressure gradient and axial flow for the resulting tapering geometry was subjected to Fourier analysis. The harmonics were utilized to obtain the real and imaginary components of the longitudinal impedance as if it were a linear system. In a linear system, the real and imaginary components represent the viscous and inertial properties of the fluid, respectively. For the system studied, however, the real part contained both viscous and substantial in-phase components arising from the inertial terms of the equation of motion. The real part, therefore, cannot be interpreted as indicative solely of dissipated energy. When measurements are obtained from an adulterated system, caution must be exercised if the interpretation is to be considered that of the real system. The analysis clarifies an anomalous issue concerning resistive features of the aorta.

Animals↗

Systolic mechanical properties of the left ventricle. Effects of volume and contractile state.

To characterize the mechanical properties of the contracting left ventricle, we studied the changes in left ventricular systolic pressure following step-like perturbations (+/- 3 ml) in ventricular volume, using an isovolumically beating, isolated canine heart preparation. Three mechanical properties (elasticity, resistance, and a deactivation effect) were identified. The elastic property differs from the traditional parallel and series elastic elements; it is a time-varying elasticity that includes active and passive effects of volume changes. Furthermore, it could not be represented by a simple time-varying elasticity, but required a second factor to express the dependence of end-systolic elasticity on the timing of the volume step. This effect was represented by a "volume influence factor," which may arise from length-dependent activation. The resistive property appeared to be related to force-velocity behavior of the myocardium. Each mechanical property reacted characteristically to steady state changes in ventricular filling volume or contractile state produced by dobutamine (2-13 micrograms/min). Our findings indicate that elasticity was the property most sensitive to changes in contractile state; these changes increased peak isovolumetric pressure 54% on average, and raised elastic stiffness 40% above control (which was 5.1 mm Hg/ml). Changes in ventricular filling volume only prolonged, but did not alter, the level of elastic stiffness attained at peak pressure. These results support the view that elasticity--or the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship--serves in a given heart to quantify contractility. The "volume influence factor" was not affected by either filling volume or contractile state. Resistance increased in direct proportion with ventricular pressure, but this linear relation was not altered greatly by changes in contractile state or in ventricular filling volume. At 100 mm Hg, ventricular resistance averaged 0.11 mm Hg/ml per sec. Finally, deactivation was greater the later in systole a volume step was imposed, and this pattern was independent of changes in ventricular filling volume and in contractile state.

Animals↗

Coherence of cardiac output with rate changes.

In awake or lightly anesthetized dogs increases in heart rate (HR) induced by atrial pacing affect cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) in a predictable way that is represented by a SV-HR relationship (dSV/dHR). Under our experimental conditions where normal regulation of atrial rate was bypassed, atrial rate was the independent variable and CO and SV were dependent variables. As HR is increased, CO and SV are modified by reflex and other circulatory regulators. The dSV/dHR relation characterized the circulatory response to increasing HR. A single dSV/dHR curve consistently predicted responses under a number of different conditions (standing, recumbent, awake, various anesthetics, beta-adrenergic stimulation, or depression) and thus appeared as an expression of cardiac function. Alterations of the circulation by stellate ganglion or vagal stimulation, volume loading, aortic compression, and ventricular pacing were not represented by the same dSV/dHR function. The dSV/dHR function (including its linear version as reported by others for anesthetized dogs) showed that, when SVs were larger at low rates, maximum CO occurred at a higher HR. Recognition of this arithmetic-based feature resolves apparent contradictory findings reported in the literature.

Animals↗

Functional consequences of expanded aortic bulb: a model study.

An investigation of the mechanical effects and physiological functions of the dilated ascending aorta of diving mammals was undertaken with mathematic modeling methods. A mathematical model of a prototype (canine) arterial system was constructed and was evaluated by comparing model-predicted pressure and flow wave forms at four vascular locations with published accounts of experimental measurements. The prototype model was modified to serve as a model of the diving mammal arterial system by changing peripheral vascular parameters and by changing the dimensions of the ascending aorta section of the model. This modified model gave a very good simulation of pressure and flow behavior in diving mammal arteries during a dive. Various distribution patterns of compliance addition to the prototype aortic pattern were evaluated as to the effect of these patterns on aortic input properties. It was concluded that the geometric distribution pattern found in diving mammal arteries was optimal with respect to reducing aortic impedance and peak systolic pressure development and thus favored the function of the left ventricle. This mechanical function could represent an important part of the total picture of adaptation to prolonged ischemia.

Animals↗

Pulse wave propagation.

This report evaluates pulse wave propagation with respect to contributions by vascular wall elastic and geometric properties, vessel wall and blood viscosity, and nonlinearities in system parameters and in the equations of motion. Discrepancies in results obtained with different experimental methods and theory are discussed and resolved. A three-point pressure technique was used to obtain measurements from the abdominal aorta, carotid, iliac, and femoral arteries of dogs. Computations involved linear, as well as nonlinear methods. Results are presented along a continuous path of transmission (abdominal aorta, iliac, femoral), and it is shown that variations in phase velocity can be explained entirely by the geometric variation of these vessels. Phase velocities are shown to be frequency independent at approximately greater than 4 Hz whereas attenuation increases progressively for higher frequencies. Determination of propagation coefficients using maximal, compounded values of reported viscoelastic and geometric properties just manages to span the range of phase velocities, determined in different laboratories, but does not do so for attenuation. Also, differences in experimental techniques cannot explain these discrepancies. Consideration of geometric taper, nonlinear compliance, all the terms in the equation of motion, and the effect of wall and blood viscosity resolves discrepancies between theoretical and experimentally derived phenomena.

Animals↗

Inert gas exchange in the middle ear.

A novel mathematical description of inert gas exchange in the middle ear has been formulated and related to experimental measurements of the middle ear exchange of helium, neon, and nitrous oxide in the cat. This study indicates that the diffusion of gases across the tympanic membrane is not significantly affected by its blood supply and that the diffusion of gases across the mucosal layer of the middle ear cavity in perfusion limited. The diffusion of helium and neon is consistent with an aqueous model of the tympanic membrane, while that of nitrous oxide is one-tenth of the expected value for an aqueous membrane.

Animals↗