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Biomedical subjects

F Kajiya

Publications and source records attributed to F Kajiya.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Long-term follow-up of medically treated patients with coronary artery disease--I. Incidence of major cardiac events and its risk factors in Japanese with coronary artery disease.

In the cooperative, multi-center trial, 491 medically treated patients with coronary artery disease were thoroughly assessed and followed for an average of 49 months. The rate of cardiac death and/or non-fatal myocardial infarction was 9.8%; 64% of cardiac events were fatal. Three factors, such as number of diseased coronary arteries, other diseased organs and the cardiothoracic ratio, contributed significantly to the evolution of cardiac events. The outcome of cardiac events in Japan in the period from 1973 to 1985 in patients with coronary artery disease was more favorable than those reported recently in the United States. The results of this study will serve as a control data base for further studies in Japan.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up of medically treated patients with coronary artery disease--II. Unstable angina pectoris, asymptomatic periods, and sudden unexpected cardiac events.

In order to clarify the incidence of unstable angina (UA), the rate of mutual transition to other forms of ischemic heart disease, and the short term prognosis of asymptomatic patients, we followed prospectively 421 medically treated patients after through assessment of coronary artery disease for an average of 43 months. Three hundred and two episodes of UA had occurred in 139 patients. Of these 14 patients experienced major cardiac events. Sixteen patients had sudden cardiac events with no prior UA. Two hundred and sixty-six patients had no episodes of UA nor cardiac events; of these, 97 patients were followed for more than 49 months. Those with both effort and rest UA had a much more higher incidence of unstable episodes and a higher average age than those with effort UA alone and those with rest UA alone. The average transition rate to the cardiac events by month of patients with UA, by markovian analysis, was higher than those of the asymptomatic or stable angina patient groups. When background factors are taken account, these transition rates might help the physicians in determining the treatment of patients with ischemic heart disease at a specific stage of state.

Adult↗

Coronary flow velocity waveforms in aortic stenosis and the effects of valve replacement.

In 6 patients with pure aortic stenosis, the flow velocity waveforms in the left anterior descending coronary artery were studied using an 80-channel 20-MHz pulsed Doppler velocimeter before and immediately after aortic valve replacement. All patients showed normal coronary arteriograms. The left anterior descending coronary artery flow velocity waveform in aortic stenosis was characterized by a reverse flow in the first half of systole and a slowly increasing diastolic inflow. After aortic valve replacement, the reverse flow in the first half of systole disappeared in all patients, but an end-systolic reverse flow was discerned in 5 of 6 patients. The increasing rate of the diastolic inflow was augmented in all patients. After aortic valve replacement, the time from onset of diastole to the diastolic peak velocity was shortened from 176.8 +/- 28.8 to 90.5 +/- 18.8 ms (p less than 0.01), and the diastolic peak velocity increased from 90.5 +/- 28.0 to 122.5 +/- 17.2 cm/s (p less than 0.05). Blood pressure and heart rate, however, did not change significantly before and after valve replacement. These changes in the left coronary artery velocity waveforms after valve replacement suggest the beneficial effects of removal of aortic stenosis on human coronary artery inflow.

Aortic Valve↗

Analysis of the characteristics of the flow velocity waveforms in left atrial small arteries and veins in the dog.

To clarify the characteristics of the phasic blood velocity pattern in small arteries and veins on the left atrial surface, we used our newly developed fiber-optic laser Doppler velocimeter. We intended particularly to examine the influence of atrial contraction and relaxation on velocity waveforms to obtain some insight into the nature of the mechanical force acting on the atrial intramyocardial vascular beds. In 14 anesthetized open-chest dogs, the left atrial appendage was gently displaced to expose small branches of the artery and vein. Vessels with an outer diameter of about 150-500 microns were chosen for the measurements because their walls are transparent to laser light. The fiber tip (velocity sensor) was fixed on the vessel surface with a drop of cyanoacrylate when good-quality Doppler signals were consistently observed. Additional experiments with three dogs were performed to observe the blood velocities in the atrial artery and vein during arrhythmia. The blood velocity waveform in the artery was similar to the pattern of aortic pressure during ventricular ejection (peak velocity, 18.8 +/- 7.8 cm/sec) but was characterized by a pronounced dip during atrial contraction. The temporal coincidence between the dip formation and atrial contraction was confirmed during atrial flutter with an atrioventricular block. After isoproterenol administration (2 micrograms i.v.), the acceleration rate of the forward flow velocity increased by 176% (p less than 0.05), and reverse flow appeared during atrial contraction in five cases out of eight (p = 0.013). The blood flow velocity in atrial small veins, on the other hand, was predominant during atrial contraction (peak velocity, 15.6 +/- 5.8 cm/sec). Isoproterenol increased the acceleration rate of this forward flow velocity by 121% (p less than 0.01). Nitroglycerin did not change the blood velocity waveform significantly in atrial arteries or in veins. The phase opposition between arterial inflow into and venous outflow from the atrial myocardium indicates that a large portion of the coronary inflow to the atrial myocardium may be stored due to the presence of atrial myocardial vascular capacitance. We conclude that atrial myocardial contraction impedes atrial inflow and promotes venous outflow from atrial capacitance vessels.

Animals↗

Mechanical control of coronary artery inflow and vein outflow.

To analyze the origin of the coronary artery inflow and the coronary vein outflow, we measured the intramyocardial artery flow and the epicardial small vein flow by means of a laser Doppler velocimeter with an optical fiber. The functional characteristics of the intramyocardial capacitance vessels were investigated by analyzing the responses of coronary vein flow after stepwise changes in coronary artery pressure during long diastole. Then the effect of the intramyocardial capacitance vessels on coronary artery inflow and vein outflow was evaluated. Intramyocardial artery flow was found to be almost exclusively diastolic with frequent systolic reverse flow, whereas peripheral coronary vein flow was almost systolic exclusively. The intramyocardial capacitance vessels have two functional components, unstressed volume and ordinary capacitance. When the unstressed volume was saturated, the intramyocardial displacable blood volume impeded the coronary artery inflow, but promoted vein outflow.

Animals↗

Progress and recent topics in blood flow measurements.

Progress in both basic and clinical studies on the cardiovascular system has been tightly coupled to the innovation of methodology. The developments of blood flow measurements have greatly contributed to the understanding of blood supply to each organ and of hemodynamics. Recent advances in blood flow measurements involve (1) improvement of spatial and temporal resolution, (2) progress of accessibility of velocimeter, (3) introduction of non-invasive techniques, (4) new blood flow imaging techniques, (5) fabrication of a miniature Doppler catheter, etc. In this paper the characteristics of representative methods are summarized after a brief review of a historical perspective of blood flow measurements. Then, some results of our study on a laser Doppler velocimetry with an optical fiber and on a high frequency multichannel ultrasound Doppler method are described with special reference to their applications to the analysis of the coronary circulation. Finally, the present status of myocardial blood flow imaging techniques, e.g. radionuclide techniques, NMR-imaging and ultrafast CT, is briefly reviewed.

Animals↗

Coronary flow characteristics of left coronary artery in aortic regurgitation before and after aortic valve replacement.

In 6 patients with pure aortic regurgitation, the velocity waveform in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was measured using an 80-channel 20-MHz-pulse Doppler velocimeter before and immediately after aortic valve replacement. All patients showed normal coronary angiograms. Flow velocity was analyzed by both zero-cross and fast Fourier transform methods in real time. The LAD flow in severe aortic regurgitation was characterized by an increase in the systolic flow component, a small and rapidly decreased diastolic flow, an irregular velocity profile across the vessel, and a wider velocity spectrum. After aortic valve replacement, systolic flow decreased by 36.3 +/- 21.7% (p less than 0.01), whereas diastolic flow increased by 81.4 +/- 51.8% (p less than 0.05). The ratio of diastolic flow to total LAD flow increased from 63 +/- 13% to 82 +/- 7% (p less than 0.05). The velocity profile became more parabolic and had a narrow spectrum. These results suggest that operation for aortic regurgitation induces beneficial effects on the myocardial inflow immediately after valve replacement.

Adult↗

Effect of packed cell volume on diastolic coronary artery pressure-flow relations in the dog.

To elucidate the role of the haemorheological properties of the perfusate in the coronary circulation, the diastolic pressure-flow relation was studied in nine open chest heart blocked dogs with minimal vasomotor tone when blood with various packed cell volumes (12-67%) was used as perfusate. An electrical analogue model with proximal resistance R1, capacitance C, distal resistance R2, and the zero flow pressure intercept Pint was derived from the observation of the pressure-flow relation to support the data analysis. The diastolic pressure decay was then determined after the perfusion line had been clamped to calculate stop flow coronary artery pressure (Psf). The stop flow coronary artery pressure decreased in relation to packed cell volume (r = 0.45, p less than 0.01), and the value for the lowest packed cell volume (10-29%) was slightly higher than the great cardiac vein pressure (about 3 mmHg). The zero flow pressure intercept of the steady state pressure-flow relation showed a close correlation with the stop flow coronary artery pressure (r = 0.87, p less than 0.001). The value of R1 + R2, which reflects the inverse of the steady state pressure-flow slope, decreased simultaneously with the packed cell volume (r = 0.62, p less than 0.001). The resistance ratio R2/(R1 + R2) by our model prediction decreased in relation to packed cell volume (r = 0.5, p less than 0.001). The values of stop flow coronary artery pressure, zero flow pressure intercept, and R1 + R2 for the highest packed cell volume (50-69%) were 17.8(1.1) mmHg, 25.1(1.3) mmHg, and 0.48(0.05) mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g-1 respectively, whereas those for the lowest packed cell volume (10-29%) were 13.4(0.8) mmHg, 19.7(1.0) mmHg, and 0.24(0.02) mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g-1. The pressure difference between the stop flow coronary artery pressure and the zero flow pressure intercept may be due to the non-linearity in the pressure-flow relation at a low perfusion pressure. The left ventricular end diastolic pressure and great cardiac vein pressure did not change in relation to the packed cell volume of the coronary perfusate. Thus it is concluded that packed cell volume is one factor determining the high zero flow pressure.

Animals↗

Piezoelectric polymer curvature sensor for measurement of regional curvature radius of LV wall.

To evaluate regional myocardial function, we developed a curvature sensor for direct and instantaneous measurement of the regional curvature radius of the LV wall. The sensor is a bimorph of two sheets of thin piezoelectric polymer film. The relation between output voltage of the sensor and the reciprocal of the known curvature radius has been shown to be linear. In anesthetized dogs, we inserted the curvature sensor into the subepimyocardium with a specially designed introducer. Special care was taken to insert it parallel to the epicardial surface. Circumferential regional curvature radius, which is defined as the reciprocal of regional curvature, showed the same phasic changes as the short-axis diameter under control conditions. Under regional ischemia caused by transient occlusion of the coronary artery, amplitude of the phasic change in regional curvature radius decreased, whereas that of the short-axis diameter did not change or slightly increased. Phasic changes in regional curvature radius cannot be estimated from short-axis diameter during regional ischemia. We calculated regional wall tension from the directly measured regional curvature radius and LV pressure and found that tension-length loop clearly differentiates between regional myocardial function under control and ischemic conditions. We have concluded that our newly developed curvature sensor is accurate, that its practical use is feasible, and that measurement of the regional curvature radius of the LV wall provides detailed and accurate information on regional shape and function of the left ventricle.

Animals↗

Comparison of blood-flow velocity waveforms in different coronary artery bypass grafts. Sequential saphenous vein grafts and internal mammary artery grafts.

Characteristics of blood-flow velocities were investigated at different sites in two types of coronary artery bypass grafts, sequential saphenous vein grafts (SSVG) and internal mammary artery grafts (IMAG). The latter appear to have the longest life span. The patency rate of the side-to-side anastomosis of the SSVG is better than that of the end-to-side anastomosis. The SSVG was anastomosed to the major diagonal branch by side-to-side anastomosis and to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) by end-to-side anastomosis in 13 patients who had 75-100% and 75-90% stenoses in the LAD and major diagonal branch, respectively. IMAG anastomoses were performed to the LAD in 10 patients with 75-100% stenoses of the artery. The blood-flow velocities were measured by the 20-MHz, eighty-channel ultrasound pulsed Doppler method during surgery. In six patients in the SSVG group, we investigated the configuration of velocity profiles at the region just proximal to the side-to-side anastomosis and at the bridge portion between the side-to-side and end-to-side anastomosis. In the other seven patients, we measured the blood-flow velocity at several centimeters proximal to the side-to-side anastomosis and compared it with that in the IMAG. At the region just proximal to the side-to-side anastomosis, the velocity profile skewed toward the anastomosis side wall in all patients, and the flow velocity near the wall opposite to the side-to-side anastomosis was reversed in five of six patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Dual-fiber laser Doppler velocimeter and its application to the measurements of coronary blood velocity.

To obtain a smaller sample volume and a suitable sample position for the measurement of blood velocity, we fabricated a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) with a dual-fiber pickup. The two fibers (clad: 62.5 micron and core: 50 micron) were placed side by side. An He-Ne laser was introduced into the blood through one fiber and the backscattered light was collected by the other fiber. The Doppler signal was analyzed by a spectrum analyzer. The spectrum of the Doppler shift frequency showed a sharp peaked pattern for both forward and reverse flows and exhibited an excellent correlation with the known blood velocity. The blood velocity in the poststenotic portion of canine coronary artery was successfully measured by the dual-fiber LDV. These results indicate that the dual-fiber LDV is useful for measuring blood velocity accurately with a small sample volume even in disturbed flow fields.

Animals↗

An optical-fiber laser Doppler velocimeter and its application to measurements of coronary blood flow velocities.

In this paper we describe a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) with an optical fiber that measures blood flow velocities accurately in a small sample volume. The principle, optical arrangement, spatial and the temporal resolutions and accuracy for blood flow measurements are delineated, followed by a report of the results of measurements of coronary artery and vein blood flow velocities in dogs. Finally, we touch upon some recent progress made in the LDV with an optical fiber pickup.

Blood Pressure↗

Analysis of flow characteristics in poststenotic regions of the human coronary artery during bypass graft surgery.

Poststenotic blood flow velocities were evaluated in nine patients with 75% to 99% stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) during coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We used the 20 MHz 80-channel pulsed Doppler velocimeter developed in our laboratory. An operator placed a specially designed probe on the native LAD with his fingers. Before induction of extracorporeal circulation, LAD blood velocities were measured at several locations distal to the stenosis. The poststenotic flow velocities were rich in systolic flow component with reduced diastolic component. The velocity configuration in the poststenotic portions was characterized by the presence of reverse flow velocities and/or irregularity of the velocity pattern near the vessel wall, indicating the existence of flow separation and recirculation in the regions. The broadening of the velocity spectrum observed at central axial regions suggested the occurrence of flow disturbances. After grafting, the velocity waveform in the LAD beyond a vein bypass graft changed to a diastolic-predominant pattern with a relatively small systolic component. A transient bypass graft occlusion caused a marked reduction in diastolic flow velocity. The systolic-to-diastolic velocity ratio increased from 0.27 +/- 0.07 to 1.50 +/- 0.50 (p less than .01) by the graft occlusion.

Adult↗

Functional characteristics of intramyocardial capacitance vessels during diastole in the dog.

In order to evaluate the functional characteristics of the intramyocardial capacitance vessels during prolonged diastole, we analyzed the response of coronary vein flow after stepwise changes of coronary artery pressure in anesthetized open-chest dogs by using our newly developed laser Doppler velocimeter with an optical fiber. The peripheral portion of the great cardiac vein was isolated and the optical fiber tip was inserted into the vessel. The left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and connected to a reservoir to regulate coronary perfusion pressure. Intracoronary adenosine administration was carried out to avoid any change in coronary vasomotor tone. After 15 seconds of occlusion of the perfusion route, the heart was arrested by pacing-off. Two seconds later, coronary perfusion pressure was increased stepwise to a preset target pressure. This procedure was repeated by changing target pressure at 4 (or 5) different pressure levels (31-105 mm Hg). The great cardiac vein flow became zero due to the cardiac arrest and remained at zero for a moment (dead time) after the initiation of reperfusion. Then the flow reappeared and increased with first order time delay. The presence of dead time indicates the existence of unstressed volume, and the first order time delay represents the product of resistance and capacitance. The unstressed volume with a minimal vasomotor tone for perfusion pressure of 60-90 mm Hg was 5.2 +/- 2.2 ml per 100 g left ventricle, which is comparable to coronary blood flow for several beats. The capacitance at perfusion pressure of 60-90 mm Hg was 0.08 +/- 0.04 ml/mm Hg per 100 g left ventricle, while that at low perfusion pressure (30-50 mm Hg) was 0.14 +/- 0.09 ml/mm Hg per 100 g left ventricle. These results indicate that the intramyocardial capacitance vessels have two functional components, and that the phasic nature of coronary vein flow is solely the result of the myocardial squeezing of the blood in the capacitance vessels.

Animals↗

Evaluation of human coronary blood flow with an 80 channel 20 MHz pulsed Doppler velocimeter and zero-cross and Fourier transform methods during cardiac surgery.

To evaluate local blood flow velocities accurately at many sampling points in small vessels, especially in human coronary arteries, we have developed an 80 channel 20 MHz pulsed Doppler velocimeter. Doppler signals from 80 channels are detected by a zero-cross method and a signal from an optional channel is analyzed by a fast-Fourier transform method, both in real time. Basic experiments using a model and animals have demonstrated the accuracy and utility of our method of measurement of blood flow velocity for both nondisturbed and disturbed flow. Velocity waveforms in a native coronary artery beyond a vein bypass graft insertion were measured during cardiac surgery. They showed a diastolic-predominant pattern with a small systolic component. During transient graft occlusion, the waveforms changed to a systolic-predominant pattern in a patient with severe stenosis and to a to-and-fro pattern in a patient with total occlusion. In a patient with severe aortic regurgitation, the coronary arterial velocity waveforms exhibited a systolic-predominant pattern with a broad velocity spectrum. After aortic valve replacement, however, a diastolic-predominant pattern with a narrow spectrum was observed.

Blood Flow Velocity↗