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Biomedical subjects

P Péronneau

Publications and source records attributed to P Péronneau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Validation of a new methodology for characterizing ultrasound contrast agents (UCA)].

PURPOSE: Validation of an experimental ultrasound system on erythrocyte suspensions with variable levels of aggregation and application to the echogenicity quantification of UCA under quasi-physiologic flow conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The system is constituted with a Couette cell with variable applied shear rates, an ultrasound emitter/receiver and a digital scope for radio-frequency signal acquisition. Ultrasound indices (UI) were defined for the two experimental established protocols based on the gold standard laser methodology. Washed red cells with or without variable Dextran 70 kD concentrations were used to simulate a wide particle size range. A preliminary application to UCA was conducted with Levovist for calibration of the system. RESULTS: For each protocol, applied ten times on identical whole blood samples, a student t-test revealed no significant variation for all UI. Results on washed red cells were in good agreement with Rayleigh's theory of ultrasound backscattering. Significant correlations were obtained between laser and UI for washed red cells with different Dextran concentrations. An elevation of 12.13 dB in backscattered intensity was obtained after addition of Levovist. CONCLUSION: The constituted Couette system allowed reproducible and accurate echogenicity quantification of small scatterers such as UCA in quasi-physiologic blood flow conditions.

Contrast Media↗

Pulse wave velocity measurement by cross-correlation of Doppler velocity signals. Application to elderly volunteers during training.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement is widely used for the indirect assessment of arterial wall distensibility. In order to improve its measurement technique, we built a system performing the calculation of the cross-correlation function of Doppler velocity signals. In 12 normal subjects and 10 patients, the mean difference between duplicate measurements was 0.7 +/- 7.8% (NS). We tested this technique in 15 elderly volunteers before and after a three months training period. Brachial and tibial systolic blood pressure decreased respectively from 18.1 +/- 2.2 kPa to 16.7 +/- 1.9 kPa (p = 0.008) and from 21.1 +/- 3.4 kPa to 18.4 +/- 2.5 kPa (p = 0.003), while lower limb PWV decreased from 8.96 +/- 1.26 to 7.92 +/- 1.22 m.s-1 (p = 0.016). Therefore, automatic PWV measurement using the cross-correlation technique allows to demonstrate training induced changes in PWV, although concomitant changes in blood pressure must be considered in their interpretation.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity in migration of smooth muscle cells from normal and injured rat thoracic aorta in primary culture.

OBJECTIVE: Aside from proliferation, migration of smooth muscle cells is an essential component of the arterial sclerotic reaction. The aim of this study was to define a model to study migration. METHODS: Primary cultures of smooth muscle cells were derived from normal or injured rat thoracic aorta. An image analysis system was used to track cells migrating out of the explants and measure the displacement of their centre of gravity. RESULTS: Migration speeds for smooth muscle cells randomly sampled from the normal whole media were very heterogeneous. The media were therefore separated into three vertical segments. Cells from the middle third migrated faster than those from the upper and lower thirds, regardless of whether they originated from the anterior and posterior parts of the segment (P = 0.001). Heparin (10 micrograms.ml-1) only inhibited smooth muscle cell migration from the middle segment (P < 0.001). Migration of smooth muscle cells from explants of aorta 3 and 14 d after injury was also studied using a balloon catheter. Three days after injury, cell velocity varied widely among the segments of the same media. In contrast, 14 d after injury cells from neointimal explants migrated homogeneously and at a slower rate than those obtained from normal media. CONCLUSIONS: These experiments show migratory variations among smooth muscle cells depending upon their position in the normal aorta and their state of activation after arterial injury. This variability must be taken into account when planning experiments to study smooth muscle cell migration.

Animals↗

Influence of pulsatility on the development of intracardiac jets: an in vitro laser Doppler study.

So far, it has been hypothesized that numerical data obtained in steady flow conditions apply to pulsatile flows. In order to study the modifications of the velocity fields due to pulsatility, jets were produced by 8 orifices (with a diameter "D" of 4.4 to 11.3 mm) included in a chamber of 50 mm. The velocity was measured using laser Doppler anemometry with a pulsatile flow ("pf") and compared to the values obtained in steady ("sf"): at maximum velocity, the longitudinal velocity profile is qualitatively similar to this observed in steady flow: it is made of a plateau followed by an hyperbolic velocity decay in the turbulent area. The length of the core ("Lpf") is strongly related to "D" (Lpf = 3.72 D + 5.49, r = .99) and the velocity decay depends on the ratio between the distance "x" from the orifice and "D" (V/Vo = 2.83D/x + 3.46, r = .85, where V is the velocity at "x" and Vo the initial velocity). During the acceleration and the deceleration, the laminar core is disturbed by turbulences. The comparison of "pf" data with "sf" data demonstrated similar diameters at the origin of the jets (Dpf = 0.96 Dsf + .12, r = .99), but significant (p less than .0001) differences both for "L" and "V/Vo": Lpf = .91Lsf + 6.58, r = .97, V/Vopf = .63 V/Vosf + .34, r = .76. Thus, pulsatility modifies velocity fields and the results obtained in steady flow conditions do not apply to pulsatile jets.

Animals↗

Velocity profiles and streamlines of a revolution post-stenotic flow.

Velocity fields have been measured in models simulating arterial stenoses for continuous and revolution flows. A pulsed Doppler velocimeter allows for velocity readings in the entire tube and in the wall area. Streamlines are determined by numerical solving of the system of equations defining the current function. Velocity profiles and streamlines are presented and discussed either for steady or for unsteady flows, with different Reynolds numbers and variable degrees of stenosis. There is, in the wall area, a recirculating zone made of a well-defined rouleau. Its length varies increasingly according to the increasing severity of the stenosis. The stability of axial flow depends on the input profile, the degree of stenosis and the Reynolds number. Plotting streamlines allows to describe accurately the flow; its quantitative aspect offers advantages with respect to conventional visualization mode.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

In vitro analysis of a model of intracardiac jet: analysis of the central core of axisymmetric jets.

In order to provide physical information supporting the clinical use of flow mapping, an in vitro model was designed to measure the velocity fields in a pulsatile hydraulic turbulent jet. We used a peak velocity ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 m.s-1, an orifice diameter ranging from 5.8 to 11.3 mm and confined the jet in a receiving tube whose diameter ranged from 16 to 30 mm, thus simulating a large variety of valvular leaks. In steady flow conditions, our results agreed with previously reported descriptions. Under pulsatile conditions, the same structure was found at peak velocity and during the beginning of the deceleration. Below a threshold velocity, the length of the central core was independent of the peak velocity and proportional to about six times the orifice diameter. Above the threshold velocity, this relationship was no longer true, the threshold value being related to the ratio of the orifice diameter to the diameter of the receiving tube.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

High-resolution, reflection mode tomographic imaging. Part I: Principles and methods.

A general method for improving image resolution is derived and applied to ultrasound signals; it combines the principles of both reflection mode tomography and deconvolution. The different possibilities of applying these principles allow two types of approaches to be defined, depending upon whether image reconstruction is achieved on radiofrequency or detected signals. A thorough description of three methods that are of particular interest due to their lower computation costs is presented, and their results quantified. They permit a gain in resolution of the order of ten with respect to two-dimensional deconvolution of images, as well as an improvement of the S/N ratio, which is related to the square root of the number of projections used in the reconstruction process, and a decrease of about four in computation time.

Humans↗

High-resolution, reflection mode tomographic imaging. Part II: Application to echography.

Principles of high-resolution, ultrasonic imaging using data acquisition by a compound scanning with a sector echograph are presented. The signal processing is based on both deconvolution and reflection mode tomography. Three of the methods that can be derived from these principles are selected due to their lower computation costs. Applications of these methods to synthetic data and test targets demonstrate that, with respect to 2D deconvolution, they offer: a gain in computation time of more than 8, an improvement in resolution of the order of 10 and an increase of S/N ratio of the order of 4. Finally, both the effects of limited acquisition angular window and of a variable propagation speed are illustrated.

Humans↗

[Evaluation by Doppler echocardiography of systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle of the athlete's heart].

A doppler-echocardiographuc study of left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic functions was performed in 99 professional cyclists and 26 age, body surface and blood pressure-matched controls. The following T-mode echocardiographic parameters were determined: wall thickness and cavitary diameter, left ventricular mass (LVM), fibre shortening fraction (FSF) and ejection fraction (EF). The following doppler parameters were measured at the annulus (a) and tip (p) of the mitral valve leaflets: protodiastolic velocity peak (E), velocity peak during atrial systole (A) and A/E ratio. Compared with controls, the cyclists showed a significant increase of LVM (305 +/- 53 vs 174 +/- 41 g, p less than 0.0001) and of the h/R ratio of mean wall thickness (h) to cavitary radius (R) (0.40 +/- 0.04 vs 0.35 +/- 0.06, p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards FSF, EF and protodiastolic filling peak (E). In contrast, subjects in the cyclist group showed a significant increase of Ap (0.39 +/- 0.07 vs 0.47 +/- 0.09, p less than 0.001), Aa (0.36 +/- 0.07 vs 0.41 +/- 0.08, p less than 0.01) and A/Ep (0.54 +/- 0.12 vs 0.62 vs 0.62 +/- 0.11, p less than 0.0001). It is concluded that professional cyclists have an increase in size of their left ventricle and that repercussions of this enlargement on ventricular filling only appear during the atrial systole and are related to a slower heart rate.

Adult↗

[Effect of the sinusal rate on experimental vagal atrial arrhythmia].

Factors that facilitate the occurrence of cholinergic atrial arrhythmias were studied on 16 rabbit biatrial preparations in spontaneous rhythm. Sinus cycle length and characteristics of the atrial action potential were measured by the microelectrode technique in the basal state, then in the presence of acetylcholine at a concentration of 1.4 x 10(-5) M. Induction of arrhythmia was attempted by programmed stimulation, using an increasing number of extrastimuli. In the presence of acetylcholine the sinus cycle length increased by 106 +/- 63 p. 100 (p less than 0.0001) and the action potential duration, measured at 90 p. 100 repolarization (APD90) decreased from 60 +/- 15 ms to 40 +/- 11 ms (p less than 0.001). Reentrant activities, which had not been found in the basal state, were induced in 5 preparations. Under acetylcholine the sinus cycle of inducible preparations was shorter than that of non inducible preparations (663 +/- 272 ms vs 1218 +/- 531 ms, p less than 0.05). The percentage of sinus cycle lengthening was significantly smaller in inducible preparations (54 +/- 31 p. 100 vs 129 +/- 60 p. 100, p less than 0.05). Although sinus cycle lengthening was different in the two types of preparations, the APD90 was shortened in the same proportions. The vulnerability of the preparations seemed to depend mainly on a frequency effect. Vagal atrial arrhythmias occurred with a relatively small reduction in sinus rhythm. It is probable that an overpotent vagal effect is less arrhythmogenic because of its more homogeneous action on tissues.

Acetylcholine↗

In vitro study of modifications of blood flow patterns induced by a bifurcation.

Velocity profiles obtained with atheromatous and normal bifurcation castings in the presence of various types of flows are proposed. In the atheromatous bifurcation, with steady flow, we observe radial positive or negative velocities at distance to the wall smaller than 1 mm, which may be attributed to small local eddy motions. The maximum of velocity needs a larger distance from the apex than in the case of the "normal" bifurcation to be again located on the axes. With periodical flows, the effects are strongly damped. The wall velocity gradients on several geometries of tubings are investigated to separate the effects of the local rugosity of the wall from those incidental to the geometry of the bifurcation. The alterations caused by the atheroma do not seem to be induced by local modifications or rugosity, but by slow modifications of the local diameter. As a consequence, the variations of the velocity gradient caused by atheroma in the total bifurcation, are more likely due to distance effects of the geometry itself than to local effects of rugosity.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[Measured and estimated sinoatrial conduction during variations in rhythm. Microelectrode study of the isolated rabbit atrium].

Strips of isolated atrium were obtained from 10 rabbits to study the validity of indirect methods of estimating sinoatrial conduction time during variations of the sinus rhythm. Direct recordings of the trans-membrane action potential of the sinus node were made. Mapping of the sinus region was undertaken to determine the site of the dominant pacemaker. A quadripolar surface electrode was positioned on the lower part of the crista terminalis for stimulation and recording of the atrial potential. This enabled a comparison to be made between the indirect estimated and the directly measured conduction times. An intrasinusal shift of the dominant pacemaker was obtained by cooling from 38 degrees C to 35 degrees C. This shift occurs progressively in the cranino-candal direction. The estimated and measured conduction times were compared under basal conditions and after cooling. The sinus cycle was significantly longer (p less than 0.001) at 35 degrees C (318 +/- 68 ms) than at 38 degrees C (255 +/- 48 ms). The mean measured anterograde conduction time also decreased from 36 to 31 ms (p less than 0.01) and the mean measured retrograde conduction time also decreased from 39 to 33 ms (p less than 0.02); the total conduction time decreased from 75 to 64 ms (p less than 0.001). The results of the total estimated conduction times were discordant. The associated effects of stimulation and cooling can cause conduction defects and an overestimation of the conduction time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗

[Doppler echographic study of placental circulation of the fetus of normal and hypertensive mothers].

Foetal blood velocity wave forms, as recorded in chorionic vessels by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography, reflect vascular resistance in foetal placental circulation. The minimal-to-maximal velocity ratio provides an index of vascular conductance; the higher the minimal velocity (positive forward diastolic blood flow), the lower the vascular resistance. In the present study, this index was the same in pregnant women with normal blood pressure (n = 19) and in those with pregnancy-induced hypertension (n = 12); however, it was significantly lowered (p less than 0.001) in pregnant women with essential hypertension (n = 9). In the population of women with normal blood pressure and pregnancy-induced hypertension, a positive correlation (r = 0.71), was found between index value and gestational age, indicating a progressive fall in placental vascular resistance. All placentas from these 31 women were histologically normal except two which showed one single marginal infarct less than 1 cm in diameter. In the group of women with essential hypertension, the 6 placentas examined were pathological, with multiple chronic infarcts, placental growth retardation and maceration. Thus, pulsed Doppler ultrasonography should be used for early detection of placental vascular damage and for improved surveillance of pregnancies complicated by maternal vascular diseases.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Direct visualization of diffusion convection phenomena at liquid solid interfaces by the use of a chemiluminescent enzymatic immobilized system.

A new method is developed for direct visualization of the local mass transfer at solid liquid interfaces. Peroxidase is immobilized by entrapment in a polyacrylamide gel coating the interior surface of a glass tube. The reaction of oxidation of luminol by H2O2 catalyzed by this enzyme involves light emission. Furthermore at low H2O2 concentration (less than or equal to 5. x 10(-5) M), this reaction is controlled by the diffusion of H2O2 from the bulk flow to the wall, as evidenced by the Re1/3 dependence of the light flux V measured in the laminar case. It is possible in these conditions to directly relate V as measured at each point of the wall, to the local properties of the flow : (i) a decrease of V is always observed when moving downstream from the input of the tube, but it is much more pronounced for laminar flows than for turbulent ones, as theoretically expected; (ii) the sensitivity of the method has been tested for evaluating the diffusion convection phenomena at the wall downstream from a stenosis. Furthermore the local hydrodynamic properties have been characterized by measuring through pulsed Doppler velocimetry the velocity of the moving liquid phase as a function of the position in the flow. The data obtained show the presence of a maximum of V in the vicinity of the reattachment point of the liquid streamlines at the wall. This constitutes the first experimental confirmation of calculations on diffusion convection phenomena downstream from stenoses. These first experiments show one the ability of the method to detect the local properties of the parietal mass transfer phenomena, as a function of the geometry of the wall and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis and evaluation of tricuspid regurgitation].

The reliability of pulsed Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis and quantification of tricuspid regurgitation was assessed by analysis of blood flow in the inferior vena cava in 28 patients. The inferior vena caval flow was sampled in the retrohepatic portion of the vessel from the subxiphoid region. Recordings from 10 normal patients were used to define criteria of normality. This was characterised by two anterograde components (one systolic and one diastolic); atrial contraction gave rise to an end diastolic retrograde component. In tricuspid incompetence, retrograde systolic blood flow was recorded. A Doppler index was calculated from the ratio of the maximal amplitude of systolic reflux to the maximal amplitude of anterograde diastolic flow. In the absence of tricuspid regurgitation, this index approximated 0. The average of this ratio over 10 consecutive beats was compared with the semi quantitative assessment of tricuspid regurgitation from selective right ventricular angiography. There were no false positive results, specificity was, therefore, 100 p. 100. Six minimal regurgitations were not detected: sensitivity was therefore 74 p. 100. All moderate and severe regurgitations were detected, and the sensitivity for these cases was 100 p. 100. There was a close correlation (R = 0,89, p less than 0,01) between the Doppler index and the degree of regurgitation assessed by selective right ventricular angiography.

Adolescent↗