Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R G Pearl

Publications and source records attributed to R G Pearl.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effect of hyperglycemia on neuronal changes in a rabbit model of focal cerebral ischemia.

In clinical medicine, cerebral ischemia is frequently due to a focal, rather than global, insult. The effect of hyperglycemia in focal cerebral ischemia is not well defined. We studied the effect of hyperglycemia on neuropathologic changes in a rabbit model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rabbits were randomized to receive saline (n = 12) or glucose (n = 12) infusions. The left anterior cerebral and left internal carotid arteries were clipped after the infusion began. After 6 hours of occlusion, the area of severe ischemic neuronal damage in the left neocortex and striatum on two standard sections of brain was calculated and expressed as a percentage of the total area of the left cortex or striatum. The mean +/- SEM cortical area of severe ischemic neuronal damage was 22.1 +/- 2.8% in the glucose-treated rabbits and 34.0 +/- 4.6% in the saline-treated rabbits (p less than 0.05). The cortical area of severe ischemic neuronal damage was inversely correlated with plasma glucose concentration at the time of arterial clipping (p less than 0.05). We conclude that hyperglycemia is associated with decreased histologic neuronal injury in this model of focal cerebral ischemia and may be protective when cerebral ischemia occurs from a focal insult.

Animals↗

Vasodilator therapy in microembolic porcine pulmonary hypertension.

The hemodynamic effects of prostaglandin E1, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitroglycerin, and hydralazine were studied in a porcine model of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) due to glass bead microembolization (60-150-microns diameter). Each animal received all four drugs. Each drug was titrated to produce a 30% reduction in mean systemic arterial pressure. Although all four drugs decreased PVR, distinct differences in the hemodynamic profiles of the four drugs were evident. Prostaglandin E1 produced the largest reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure (from 41 +/- 1 to 32 +/- 9 mm Hg, mean +/- SEM) and PVR (25 +/- 3 to 18 +/- 2 mm Hg.L-1.min-1), and did not affect the ratio of PVR to systemic vascular resistance (PVR/SVR). Sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin produced moderate decreases in PVR (nitroglycerin 21 +/- 2 to 18 +/- 2 mm Hg.L-1.min-1, SNP 22 +/- 2 to 19 +/- 2 mm Hg.L-1.min-1) and in mean pulmonary artery pressure (nitroglycerin 39 +/- 1 to 35 +/- 1; SNP 40 +/- 1 to 36 +/- 2 mm Hg). Both drugs significantly increased the PVR/SVR ratio. Hydralazine was the only drug that significantly increased cardiac output (1.6 +/- 0.2 to 1.9 +/- 0.3 L/min). Hydralazine had no significant effect on mean pulmonary artery pressure, reduced PVR to the smallest extent (11%), and resulted in the largest increase in the PVR/SVR ratio (from 0.52 +/- 0.04 to 0.80 +/- 0.08). In this model of increased pulmonary vasculature resistance prostaglandin E1 caused an equivalent amount of pulmonary and systemic vasodilation, as expressed by the PVR/SVR ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alprostadil↗

Cromolyn sodium does not inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in sheep.

Cromolyn sodium has been reported to inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in dogs and sheep, presumably by stabilizing mast cell membranes and thereby preventing the release of mediators such as leukotrienes. Because the effects of leukotriene synthesis and receptor blockers on HPV have been variable across studies, we studied the effect of cromolyn on HPV in the halothane-anesthetized sheep, a model in which we have found leukotriene synthesis and receptor blockers to be ineffective. In control animals, hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.13) increased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) 67% and pulmonary vascular resistance 85%, and these responses were reproducible with a second episode of hypoxia. In a second group of sheep, hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.13) during cromolyn administration (6 mg.kg-1.min-1) for 30 min increased (Ppa) 104% and increased pulmonary vascular resistance 124%. In a third group of sheep, cromolyn sodium (6 mg.kg-1.min-1) without hypoxia did not significantly affect pulmonary hemodynamics. We conclude that cromolyn sodium does not inhibit HPV in halothane-anesthetized sheep. In experimental designs in which cromolyn does alter HPV, the effect is more likely due to altered release of modulators of HPV rather than to decreased release of obligatory mediator of HPV.

Animals↗

Hemodynamic effects of diltiazem during vasoconstrictor pulmonary hypertension in sheep.

Calcium channel blockers have been effective as pulmonary vasodilators in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The current study therefore compared the effects of prostaglandin E1, an effective pulmonary vasodilator, with the effects of the water-soluble calcium channel blocker diltiazem during pulmonary hypertension in sheep. Pulmonary hypertension was produced by continuous intravenous administration of U46619 to halothane-anesthetized sheep. Prostaglandin E1 decreased pulmonary artery pressure 29%, decreased pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) 57%, and did not affect the ratio of pulmonary to systemic vascular resistance (Rp/Rs). Diltiazem decreased pulmonary artery pressure 15%, decreased Rp 50%, and did not affect Rp/Rs. When 0.33 mL/kg polyethylene glycol-ethanol vehicle (the vehicle used for nifedipine administration in a prior study) was administered during diltiazem infusion, pulmonary artery pressure increased 19%, Rp increased 72%, and Rp/Rs increased 29%. These results indicate that diltiazem is an effective pulmonary vasodilator and suggest that the previously reported unfavorable results of nifedipine may have been due to the vehicle used for nifedipine administration.

Alprostadil↗

Sepsis and the trauma patient.

Conventional therapy for septic shock concentrates on correcting circulatory perfusion defects by optimizing hemodynamic parameters and oxygen delivery to the periphery. In the face of ongoing sepsis, the central abnormality of nutrient acquisition and energy production at the cellular level remains and the patient often progresses to MSOF despite our best efforts. Currently, surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are the mainstays for eradication of infection. In the future, as we understand more of the mediators and metabolic consequences of septic shock, we anticipate that a more specific, directed therapy will be developed to reduce the high mortality rate.

Critical Care↗

Instantaneous and continuous cardiac output obtained with a Doppler pulmonary artery catheter.

A newly developed, flow-directed, Doppler pulmonary artery catheter, capable of measuring instantaneous and continuous cardiac output, was evaluated in both an in vitro pump model and an animal model. Quantitative flow was calculated with use of the instantaneous, space-average velocity (obtained from the velocity profile) and the instantaneous area (obtained from the vessel diameter) and compared with electromagnetic flow. Additionally, simultaneous thermodilution flow measurements were obtained. Doppler catheter-determined flow was highly predictive of electromagnetic flow in both continuous and pulsatile pump models (r2 = 0.98, slope or m = 1.04, SEE = 0.44; and r2 = 0.97, m = 1.04 and SEE = 0.33, respectively). Thermodilution was less predictive and appeared to underestimate electromagnetic flow in both the continuous and the pulsatile model (r2 = 0.99, m = 0.91, SEE = 0.20 and r2 = 0.95, m = 0.84 and SEE = 0.34, respectively). In the animal model, Doppler catheter-determined cardiac output appeared to modestly underestimate electromagnetic flow (r2 = 0.80, m = 0.87, SEE = 0.61). However, Doppler determinations of flow remained more accurate than did simultaneous thermodilution measurements (r2 = 0.73, m = 0.79, SEE = 0.72). Accurate, continuous and instantaneous cardiac output measurements appear possible with use of a flow-directed, Doppler pulmonary artery catheter. This catheter system also provides instantaneous diameter measurements and mapping of instantaneous velocity profiles within the main pulmonary artery and may lead to more accurate Doppler-derived assessment of cardiac output in humans.

Animals↗

The longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance during unilateral hypoxia.

Pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure and the longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance (arterial and venous components) can be determined by analysis of pressure decay curves following pulmonary artery occlusion. To validate this technique in intact animals, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure decay curves were obtained from both lungs in six anesthetized sheep during control conditions (100% O2) and during unilateral hypoxic ventilation (100% O2 versus 100% N2). Analysis of pulmonary artery occlusion pressure curves indicated the following: 1) in the hypoxic lung, unilateral hypoxia increased the precapillary portion of pulmonary vascular resistance from 72% of the total resistance to 89% of the total resistance in that lung; 2) in the nonhypoxic lung, unilateral hypoxia did not significantly affect the distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance; and 3) unilateral hypoxia produced no significant change in pulmonary capillary pressure in the hypoxic lung compared with control; however, pulmonary capillary pressure was significantly greater in the nonhypoxic lung. These results are consistent with other evidence that hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction acts locally and primarily affects resistance at the arteriolar level. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure decay curve analysis appears to be a valid technique for the measurement of pulmonary capillary pressure and the longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance in intact anesthetized animals. These measurements pertain only to the vasculature distal to the site of pulmonary artery occlusion with the catheter, and, thus, caution must be used when applying this technique in a setting of nonhomogenous lung injury.

Animals↗

Propylene-glycol-induced pulmonary hypertension in sheep.

Propylene glycol is commonly used as a vehicle for drug administration. In experiments involving the measurement of pulmonary hemodynamics, pentobarbital anesthesia routinely resulted in pulmonary hypertension in sheep. Since pentobarbital is formulated with 40% propylene glycol, we studied the pulmonary hemodynamic effects of propylene glycol in halothane-anesthetized sheep. Intravenous 40% propylene glycol (0.12 ml/kg over 3 min) rapidly increased pulmonary artery pressure (from 10 +/- 2 to 18 +/- 1 mm Hg; p less than 0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (from 200 +/- 18 to 500 +/- 51 dyn.s.cm-5; p less than 0.01); pulmonary hypertension was still present 1 h later. In sheep pretreated with the selective thromboxane A2 synthesis inhibitor dazmegrel, propylene glycol did not affect pulmonary artery pressure or pulmonary vascular resistance. Propylene-glycol-induced pulmonary hypertension in sheep appears to be mediated by thromboxane A2. Both ethanol and polyethylene glycol similarly produce pulmonary hypertension in sheep. We conclude that vehicle control data are required for studies using propylene glycol in sheep and advise caution when propylene glycol is employed as a vehicle in clinical use.

Animals↗

Hyperglycemia decreases acute neuronal ischemic changes after middle cerebral artery occlusion in cats.

Hyperglycemia has been reported to worsen the tolerance of the brain to ischemia, and it has therefore been recommended that patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures not receive glucose-containing solutions. However, whereas most animal studies have used global ischemia models, most neurosurgical procedures are associated with risks of focal rather than global ischemia. We therefore studied the effects of glucose administration in an animal model of focal cerebral ischemia. We anesthetized 20 cats with halothane (0.85% end tidal in oxygen), and a focal cerebral ischemic lesion was produced by clip ligation of the left middle cerebral artery using a transorbital approach. Hyperglycemia (10 cats, mean +/- SEM plasma glucose concentration 561 +/- 36 mg/dl) was established before ligation by infusion of 50% glucose in 0.45% saline; the control group (10 cats, mean +/- SEM plasma glucose concentration 209 +/- 28 mg/dl) received 0.45% saline only. Total fluid administered, mean arterial blood pressure, body temperature, and arterial blood gas values did not differ between the two groups 0, 2, and 6 hours after ligation. The cats were killed 6 hours after ligation, and the area of severe ischemic neuronal damage was determined by microscopic examination of a coronal section at the level of the optic chiasm. The mean +/- SEM area of left cortical severe ischemic neuronal damage was 12 +/- 2% of the left cortex in the hyperglycemic group compared with 28 +/- 5% in the control group (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Effect of heparinization of catheters on pulmonary artery oximetry.

A clinical study was performed in two phases to determine whether pulmonary artery oximeter catheters that were impregnated or bonded with heparin would affect the accuracy of measurements of in vivo mixed venous oxygen saturation (Sv-O2). In phase 1, 40 patients were catheterized with either a heparin-impregnated or a plain pulmonary artery catheter. Blood was sampled at random times to correlate in vivo with in vitro Sv-O2 measurements. In phase 2, 16 patients who were not receiving systemic heparin therapy or aspirin and who had no coagulopathies were catheterized with either a heparin-bonded or a plain pulmonary artery catheter in a blinded order. In phase 1, a total of 364 blood samples were obtained from 40 patients. Linear regression analysis of the pooled data demonstrated y = 0.98x - 0.01, r = 0.93, P less than 0.001, and n = 141 with heparin-impregnated catheters; and y = 0.87x + 8.0, r = 0.81, P less than 0.001, and n = 223 with plain catheters. The mean difference (in vivo minus in vitro) revealed a similar error (-1.3 +/- 0.4 versus -1.4 +/- 0.4, respectively, mean +/- SE). The 95% confidence limits of an individual value (+/- 8.1 versus +/- 12.3) suggested slightly greater accuracy with heparin-impregnated catheters. In phase 2, a total of 134 blood samples were obtained from 16 patients. Linear regression analysis showed nearly equal performance with heparin-bonded and plain catheters (r = 0.97 versus r = 0.98, respectively) with similar slopes (1.0 versus 1.1, respectively) but different intercepts (-0.6 versus -8.4, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in the presence of oleic acid-induced pulmonary capillary injury in the dog.

The effects of resuscitation with crystalloid and colloid solutions in the presence of increased pulmonary capillary permeability were studied. Twenty-four hours after oleic acid administration, dogs were anesthetized and bled to produce hemorrhagic shock. One hour later, resuscitation was performed with saline, 5% albumin, or 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution to restore and then maintain cardiac output at pre-oleic acid values for 6 h. Dogs were recovered and, 24 h later, were reanesthetized for final measurements. Oleic acid administration resulted in increases in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and extravascular lung water (EVLW). Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock restored pulmonary hemodynamics to pre-hemorrhage levels and did not affect EVLW, PaO2, shunt fraction, dead-space-to-tidal-volume ratio, or pulmonary compliance. There were no differences in these parameters related to the choice of resuscitation fluid. Saline resuscitation markedly reduced plasma oncotic pressure and the plasma oncotic-pulmonary artery occlusion pressure gradient. Values for these two variables were markedly lower with saline than with colloid resuscitation. The authors conclude that the pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid solutions are similar in the presence of moderate increases in pulmonary capillary permeability.

Animals↗

Vasodilator therapy in vasoconstrictor-induced pulmonary hypertension in sheep.

A stable preparation of pulmonary hypertension in sheep was developed using a continuous infusion of the vasoconstrictor U46619, a stable endoperoxide thromboxane A2-mimetic. Using this model, the pulmonary and systemic effects of nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside, hydralazine, and prostaglandin E1 were compared at doses producing equivalent reductions in systemic blood pressure. Although all four drugs decreased pulmonary artery pressure and resistance, different drug hemodynamic profiles were found. Prostaglandin E1 demonstrated the greatest pulmonary specificity and resulted in the largest decrease in pulmonary artery pressure (from 33 +/- 1 to 23 +/- 1 mmHg). Nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside demonstrated intermediate pulmonary specificity and did not affect cardiac output. Hydralazine demonstrated the least pulmonary specificity and resulted in a large decrease in systemic vascular resistance, with only a moderate decrease in pulmonary artery pressure and resistance. Rational selection of pulmonary vasodilators for clinical application will vary depending on baseline heart rate and rhythm, pulmonary artery pressure, systemic artery pressure, and cardiac output.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

PEEP does not affect left atrial-right atrial pressure difference in neurosurgical patients.

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has been used to prevent and treat venous air embolism in patients in the seated position undergoing neurosurgical operations. However, the safety of PEEP has recently been questioned, because of concern that PEEP might increase right atrial pressure (RAP) more than left atrial pressure, thereby predisposing patients with a probe-patent foramen ovale to paradoxical air embolism. In a prior study in dogs, the authors found that to up 10 cm H2O PEEP did not affect the interatrial pressure difference. In the present study, the authors examined the effects of 0, 5, and 10 cm H2O PEEP in 12 anesthetized neurosurgical patients positioned both supine and seated prior to operation. Measurements were made of systemic arterial pressure, RAP, mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), and cardiac output. PAWP was higher (average 2 mmHg) than RAP in all patients. PEEP increased RAP and PAWP in patients, both seated and supine (mean 3 mmHg at 10 cm H2O), but did not affect the PAWP-RAP difference. In an additional eight patients in the seated position, the authors examined the effects of 0, 10, and 20 cm H2O PEEP during operation. PEEP again increased PAWP and RAP, but did not significantly affect the PAWP-RAP difference. The PAWP-RAP difference became negative (-1 mmHg) in one patient with 20 cm H2O PEEP. The authors conclude that levels of PEEP up to 10 cm H2O do not alter the interatrial pressure difference in seated neurosurgical patients, and, therefore, would not predispose these patients to paradoxical air embolism.

Adult↗

Effects of spinal anesthesia on response to main pulmonary arterial distension.

Nonocclusive main pulmonary arterial distension produces peripheral pulmonary hypertension. The mechanism of this response is unknown. The effects of total spinal anesthesia on the response were studied in halothane-anesthetized dogs. Before total spinal anesthesia, main pulmonary arterial balloon inflation increased pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance without affecting systemic hemodynamic variables. Both right and left pulmonary arterial pressures were monitored to exclude unilateral obstruction with main pulmonary arterial balloon inflation. Total spinal anesthesia decreased cardiac output and systemic arterial pressures. After total spinal anesthesia, main pulmonary arterial distension still increased pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance. Right atrial pacing, discontinuation of halothane anesthesia, and norepinephrine infusion during total spinal anesthesia partially reversed the hemodynamic changes caused by total spinal anesthesia. The percent increase in pulmonary vascular resistance due to main pulmonary arterial distension was similar before total spinal anesthesia and during all experimental conditions during total spinal anesthesia. The pulmonary hypertensive response is therefore not dependent on central synaptic connections.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗

Hemodynamic profiles of prostaglandin E1, isoproterenol, prostacyclin, and nifedipine in vasoconstrictor pulmonary hypertension in sheep.

Patients with pulmonary hypertension challenge the anesthesiologist with complex alterations of hemodynamic function. To study the effects of multiple therapeutic interventions, a stable model of pulmonary hypertension in sheep was developed using continuous infusion of the vasoconstrictor U46619, a thromboxane A2-mimetic. The pulmonary and systemic effects of four pulmonary vasodilators (prostaglandin E1, isoproterenol, prostacyclin, and nifedipine) were compared at doses producing equivalent reduction in systemic blood pressure. Although all four drugs decreased pulmonary artery pressure and resistance, distinct differences in drug hemodynamic profiles were found. Prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol demonstrated the greatest pulmonary specificity, increased cardiac output significantly, and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance. Prostaglandin E1 produced the largest decrease in pulmonary artery pressure (from 31 +/- 1 to 22 +/- 2 mm Hg). Isoproterenol markedly increased heart rate (from 119 +/- 6 to 182 +/- 10 beats/min) and resulted in significant dysrhythmias that necessitated limiting infusion of this drug; isoproterenol did not affect stroke volume. Prostacyclin demonstrated intermediate pulmonary specificity and produced the largest increase in cardiac output (from 1.7 +/- 0.2 to 3.1 +/- 0.3 L/min). Nifedipine exhibited the least pulmonary specificity and was the least effective agent in decreasing pulmonary artery pressure. In this model different pulmonary vasodilators exerted different hemodynamic effects, suggesting that appropriate drug selection for treatment of pulmonary hypertension should depend on baseline heart rate and rhythm, pulmonary artery pressure, systemic artery pressure, arterial oxygenation, and cardiac output.

Alprostadil↗

Hematologic effects of cardiac and noncardiac surgery.

The intraoperative and postoperative changes in number and type of WBCs in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. These changes were then compared with those that occurred in patients undergoing four noncardiac surgical procedures (abdominal vascular reconstruction, thoracotomy, cholecystectomy, and carotid thromboendarterectomy). Both cardiac surgery and abdominal vascular surgery resulted in a marked increase in bands and decrease in lymphocytes. Thoracotomy and cholecystectomy resulted in similar but smaller changes. Carotid thromboendarterectomy did not produce hematologic changes. We conclude that the hematologic changes that occur with cardiac surgery are primarily a result of the stress and trauma of major surgery rather than a result of cardiopulmonary bypass itself.

Adult↗