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Biomedical subjects

T H Shaffer

Publications and source records attributed to T H Shaffer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effect of exchange transfusion with a red blood cell substitute on neonatal hemodynamics and organ blood flows.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a perfluorocarbon erythrocyte substitute on hemodynamics in the newborn lamb. Isovolumic double volume exchange transfusions were performed with perfluorocarbon emulsion (FC-43) on lambs who were ventilated to maintain normal acid base status. Hematocrit, fluorocrit, viscosity, arterial gas tensions, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were determined before (control) and after (exchange) exchange transfusion. A radiolabeled microsphere technique was used and cardiac output, organ blood flow, organ vascular resistance, and oxygen delivery were calculated. As the hematocrit and viscosity decreased and the fluorocrit increased, there was a significant increase in PaO2 as well as a significant decrease in A-a gradient and oxygen content. There was no significant change in the acid-base status or the hemodynamic profile (heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and mean arterial pressure). Blood flow to the heart and brain showed a significant increase, whereas flow to the cortex of the kidney showed a significant decrease. There was no significant change in flow to the gastrointestinal tract. Organ vascular resistance in the brain significantly decreased, increased in the kidney, and showed no significant change in the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Oxygen delivery significantly decreased in all organs except the heart. These data suggest that perfluorocarbon emulsions can acutely maintain hemodynamic stability in the newborn lamb and that the intrinsic properties of perfluorocarbons allow for the preservation of adequate oxygenation and acid-base status.

Animals↗

Lung lavage with oxygenated perfluorochemical liquid in acute lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lung lavage with oxygenated liquid perfluorochemical on gas exchange, lung mechanics, and cardiac function in animals with acute lung injury. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Animal laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight adult cats (2 to 4 kg, random sex). INTERVENTIONS: Two insults were combined to cause lung injury: oleic acid infusion and saline whole-lung wash. Animals were assigned to either the control or treatment group which consisted of a perfluorochemical liquid (Rimar 101) lavage. Perfluorochemical liquid lavage was performed three times at hourly intervals after lung injury. Three other cats with identical injury but no perfluorochemical liquid lavage served as control animals. All cats were ventilated with an FIO2 of 0.95 and positive end-expiratory pressure of 2 cm H2O continuously. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Arterial blood gas tensions and pH, dynamic pulmonary compliance were measured at 15-min intervals. Cardiac index was assessed hourly, and lung fluid was collected after each of the three perfluorochemical liquid lavages. Arterial oxygen tension and pulmonary compliance deteriorated abruptly after lung injury in all cats, and improved significantly (p < .001, two-way analysis of variance) 15 mins after perfluorochemical liquid lavage. These parameters gradually returned to their baseline over 60 mins. Arterial blood pressure and cardiac index decreased after injury in all cats, and were not significantly changed after perfluorochemical liquid lavage. Hemorrhagic fluid was recovered from distal airways by perfluorochemical liquid lavage, despite prior suctioning of the airway. CONCLUSIONS: Perfluorochemical liquid lavage removes pulmonary edema fluid and improves gas exchange and the mechanical properties of the lung, after acute severe lung injury.

Animals↗

High-resolution computed tomographic bronchiolography using perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB): an experimental model.

The use of perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB), a liquid ventilatory agent, was evaluated as a computed tomographic contrast agent to visualize small airway anatomy to the level of the centrilobular bronchiole, normally not visible on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). A freshly excised neonatal lamb heart-lung preparation was tracheally intubated, suspended in a saline bath, and mechanically ventilated with gas. After obtaining HRCT control images with suspended respiration using continuous positive airway pressure, 30 ml of perfluorocytlbromide was instilled into the trachea and repeat scans were obtained. These images demonstrated PFOB filling and distending the airways to the level of the centrilobular bronchioles and their first order branches. There was only minimal spillage into air spaces, allowing excellent anatomic detail of the bronchiolar structures. A liquid ventilatory agent, PFOB is a superb candidate as a bronchographic contrast agent due to its promotion of gas exchange, low toxicity, low surface tension, radiopacity, and vaporized excretion via the lung. It has great potential to evaluate small airway disease when used in conjunction with HRCT.

Animals↗

Epithelial modulation of preterm airway smooth muscle contraction.

To determine if epithelium from immature airways can modulate the responsiveness of smooth muscle, we studied paired trachealis muscle strips from preterm sheep. The epithelium was removed from one strip and left undisturbed in the other. Concentration-effect (CE) curves to acetylcholine (ACh), KCl, and isoproterenol were obtained. To evaluate maturational effects, responses to ACh and isoproterenol were studied in trachealis strips from adult airways. Maximal stress (Po) to ACh increased after epithelium removal in preterm (P < 0.05) but not adult strips. Epithelium removal caused a leftward shift of the ACh CE curves in both preterm and adult strips (P < 0.001) and a decrease in the dose required to achieve a one-half maximal response (ED50) in both preterm (P < 0.005) and adult strips (P < 0.05). The magnitude of the change in Po as well as in the ED50 for ACh between preterms and adults was similar. Epithelium removal did not alter either the Po or the CE curves of preterm strips stimulated by KCl. Response to isoproterenol in precontracted strips was enhanced in the presence of an intact epithelium in both groups (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that preterm airway epithelium is able to modulate the responsiveness of smooth muscle. Additionally, the magnitude of the effect is unchanged with maturation. We speculate that damage of airway epithelium from mechanical ventilation may contribute to the increased incidence of airway hyperreactivity observed in preterm infants.

Acetylcholine↗

Inadvertent administration of positive end-distending pressure during nasal cannula flow.

In the clinical setting, nasal cannulas are frequently used to deliver supplemental oxygen to neonates and are not believed to affect the general respiratory status. In contrast, it was hypothesized that clinical changes associated with nasal cannula gas flow may be related in part to the generation of positive end-distending pressure. To test this hypothesis, alterations in esophageal pressure were quantified as an indication of end-distending pressure and thoracoabdominal motion was quantified as an indication of breathing patterns in 13 preterm infants at gas flow levels of 0.5, 1, and 2 L/min delivered by nasal cannula with an outer diameter of either 0.2 or 0.3 cm. Changes in esophageal pressure were assessed by esophageal balloon manometry. Ventilatory patterns were assessed from thoracoabdominal motion by using respiratory inductive plethysmography. Thoracoabdominal motion was quantitated as a phase angle (theta); larger values represent greater asynchrony. The 0.2-cm nasal cannula did not deliver pressure or alter thoracoabdominal motion at any flow. In contrast, the 0.3-cm nasal cannula delivered positive end-distending pressure as a function of increasing levels of gas flow (r = .92) and reduced thoracoabdominal motion asynchrony. The mean pressure generated at 2 L/min was 9.8 cm H2O. These data demonstrate that nasal cannula gas flow can deliver positive end-distending pressure to infants and significantly alter their breathing strategy. This finding raises important concerns about the indiscriminate therapeutic use, size selection, and safety of nasal cannulas for the routine delivery of oxygen in preterm infants.

Equipment Design↗

Caffeine potentiates airway responsiveness in the neonatal lamb.

In contrast to its effect on airway smooth muscle in the adult, in vitro studies have shown that caffeine significantly increases active tension in airway smooth muscle in the neonatal lamb. To determine if caffeine has a physiological effect on airway function during early development, we studied the effect of caffeine on acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in two groups of neonatal lambs. The animals were anesthetized, paralyzed, and maintained normoxic and normocapnic with mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary mechanics were evaluated as indices of airway tone, and functional residual capacity was used as an index of lung volume; heart rate and mean arterial pressure were used to assess cardiovascular status. Acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction was evaluated as percentage changes of airway conductance and lung compliance from baseline, before and 1 hour after administration of normal saline or caffeine, and it was further analyzed with respect to the dose that produced a 20% change in those values (PD20). There were no significant alterations in baseline lung mechanics, lung volume, or mean arterial pressure following saline or caffeine infusion. However, caffeine produced a left shift in the acetylcholine dose-response curve for conductance and compliance and a significant decrease (-52%; P less than 0.001) in PD20 for conductance. There were no significant alterations in any parameter following saline administration. Since caffeine is used commonly for the treatment of apnea of prematurity, it is noteworthy that caffeine increases airway reactivity at clinically relevant doses. These findings raise important issues regarding the use of caffeine for the treatment of apnea of prematurity.

Acetylcholine↗

Comparison of gas and liquid ventilation: clinical, physiological, and histological correlates.

To differentiate the effects of gas and liquid ventilation on cardiopulmonary function during early development, we compared the clinical, physiological, and histological profiles of gas- and liquid-ventilated preterm lambs (n = 16; 108-116 days gestation). Immediately after cesarean section delivery, ventilation commenced using gas delivered by a volume ventilator (n = 9) or liquid perfluorochemical (n = 7) delivered by a mechanically assisted liquid ventilation system. Pulmonary gas exchange, acid-base status, vital signs, and respiratory compliance were assessed during the 3-h protocol; sections of the lungs were obtained for histological analyses when the animals were killed. Six of nine gas-ventilated lambs expired from respiratory failure before 3 h, with the remaining animals experiencing severe respiratory insufficiency, pneumothoraces, and cardiovascular deterioration. Six of seven liquid-ventilated lambs survived with good gas exchange and cardiovascular stability and without fluorothorax; one experienced ventricular fibrillation before 1 h and expired despite pulmonary stability. Respiratory compliance was significantly greater in the liquid- than in the gas-ventilated lambs. Histological analyses of gas-ventilated lungs demonstrated nonhomogeneous lung expansion, with thick-walled gas exchange spaces containing proteinaceous exudate, hemorrhage, and hyaline membranes. In contrast, liquid-ventilated lungs appeared clear, with thin-walled and uniformly expanded gas exchange spaces that were free of hyaline membranes and luminal debris. Morphometric analyses demonstrated that surface area and gas exchange index were greater in the liquid- than in the gas-ventilated lambs. These results indicate that elimination of surface active forces by liquid ventilation during early development provides more effective gas exchange with less barotrauma compared with gas ventilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of position on the mechanical interaction between the rib cage and abdomen in preterm infants.

To determine the influence of body position on chest wall and pulmonary function, we studied the ventilatory, pulmonary mechanics, and thoracoabdominal motion profiles in 20 preterm infants recovering from respiratory disease who were positioned in both the supine and prone position. Thoracoabdominal motion was assessed from measurements of relative rib cage and abdominal movement and the calculated phase angle (an index of thoracoabdominal synchrony) of the rib and abdomen Lissajous figures. The ventilatory and pulmonary function profiles were assessed from simultaneous measurements of transpulmonary pressure, airflow, and tidal volume. The infants were studied in quiet sleep, and the order of positioning was randomized across patients. The results demonstrated no significant difference in ventilatory and pulmonary function measurements as a function of position. In contrast, there was a significant reduction (-49%) in the phase angle of the Lissajous figures and an increase (+66%) in rib cage motion in prone compared with the supine position. In addition, the degree of improvement in phase angle in the prone position was correlated to the severity of asynchrony in the supine position. We speculate that the improvement in thoracoabdominal synchrony in the prone position is related to alterations of chest wall mechanics and respiratory muscle tone mediated by a posturally related shift in the area of apposition of the diaphragm to the anterior inner rib cage wall and increase in passive tension of the muscles of the rib cage. This study suggests that the mechanical advantage associated with prone positioning may confer a useful alternative breathing pattern to the preterm infant in whom elevated respiratory work loads and respiratory musculoskeletal immaturity may predispose to respiratory failure.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Maturational changes in airway smooth muscle structure-function relationships.

Airways become less compliant with age. When examined at either extreme of the developmental spectrum, airway smooth muscle (ASM) undergoes changes that parallel the trachea: both passive and active stress increase from preterm to adult. To determine how ASM changes throughout maturation, trachealis muscles from sheep airways of five age groups (group 1, less than 110 d gestation; group 2, 110-124 d gestation; group 3, 125-140 d gestation; group 4, newborn; and group 5, adult) were separated from their cartilaginous supports and cleaned of their mucosa and serosa. The length at which active stress was optimal was determined and passive and active stress were measured. Concentration-effect curves for acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl were performed at the length at which active stress was optimal. Morphometric analysis of the muscle was performed by computerized image analysis. At the length at which active stress was optimal, both passive and active stress increased with maturation (p less than 0.001). Concentration-effect curves for both ACh and KCl also showed a significant increase in active stress as a function of dose and of age (p less than 0.002), and the ED50 for ACh decreased with maturation (p less than 0.005). Although muscle length, thickness, and area increased with age (p less than 0.005), the ratio of contractile to connective tissue within the muscle bundle remained constant throughout maturation. These data demonstrate that ASM undergoes a progressive increase in contractility and sensitivity to ACh throughout maturation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Structure-function of airway generations 0 to 4 in the preterm lamb.

Five generations of airways from 15 preterm lambs of 130-137 d (90% term) gestation were studied to investigate the effect of generation on structure-function of preterm airways. Airway rings were measured to determine the internal radius (r), and wall thickness (t). The ratio r/t was then calculated as a morphometric index used in the determination of wall stress. Airway rings from each generation were placed in tissue baths to compare passive, active, and total force development. Contraction via membrane depolarization (KCl) and muscarinic receptor stimulation (acetylcholine) were evaluated. As r and t decreased, r/t declined by a factor of 3.48 down the generations. At the optimal length for active force development, the passive, active, and total stresses decreased significantly as a function of generation. The receptor-mediated response to acetylcholine was significantly less in generations 0, 1, and 2 than in generations 3 and 4. No differences were found among the various generations in contractility as measured by the response to KCl. These data suggest that based on the interrelationship between airway morphometry and force development the trachea is exposed to greater wall stress than the lower airways during continuous positive airway pressure. Taken together, these data may help to explain the structural changes, such as tracheomegaly, as well as the physiologic changes in airway reactivity seen in the premature infant after mechanical ventilation.

Acetylcholine↗

Increased respiratory drive and limited adaptation to loaded breathing in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Ventilatory parameters and respiratory drive with and without an added acute resistive load were assessed in 11 healthy preterm infants and 11 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Lung mechanics (breathing frequency, tidal volume, minute ventilation, compliance, and resistance) were determined with esophageal manometry and pneumotachography. Respiratory drive was assessed by determining the airway pressure measured 100 ms after the onset of an inspiratory effort against an occlusion. Infants were studied at baseline and with an external inspiratory resistive load of 213.7 cm H2O/L/s. Infants with BPD had similar breathing frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation, lower compliance, and greater resistance and airway pressure at 100 ms than healthy preterm infants at rest. With loading, healthy preterm infants demonstrated increased airway pressure at 100 ms, whereas infants with BPD showed no change. Although the healthy preterm infants had decreased minute ventilation and tidal volume with loading, decreases in ventilation were greater in the infants with BPD. These data demonstrate that infants with BPD have responded to a chronic intrinsic load with increased drive. However, this may result in decreased ventilatory reserve and hence, a limited ability to adapt to acute pulmonary loads.

Airway Resistance↗

Effects of inspiratory resistive loading on chest wall motion and ventilation: differences between preterm and full-term infants.

The ability to maintain effective tidal volume and minute ventilation during resistive loaded breathing depends on both adequate central neural respiratory output response and respiratory system mechanical properties such as respiratory muscle strength and chest wall stability. We hypothesized that chest wall instability limits the ability of the preterm (PT) infant to respond to inspiratory resistive loading (IRL) compared with full-term (FT) infants. To test this hypothesis, we subjected eight FT and 10 PT infants to IRL with loads of 1.3, 2, and 6 times intrinsic lung resistance and measured steady state tidal volume (VT), minute ventilation (VE), and chest wall motion. Thoracoabdominal asynchrony was measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography and quantitated by measuring the phase angle, theta, between rib cage and abdominal motion (0 degrees = synchronous motion, 180 degrees = paradoxic motion). At baseline, VT/kg (mL/kg, mean +/- SEM) was similar between PT (7.0 +/- 0.7) and FT (7.5 +/- 0.5) infants. VE/kg (mL/min/kg) was greater in PT (545 +/- 50) than in FT (385 +/- 33) infants (p < 0.05) as a result of increased respiratory frequency in the former. PT infants demonstrated significantly greater chest wall asynchrony (theta = 38 +/- 9 degrees) than FT infants (theta = 9 +/- 3 degrees) (p < 0.01). With the highest resistive loads, VT decreased significantly in the PT but not the FT infants. Furthermore, during IRL, VE decreased to 417 +/- 50 mL/min/kg (p < 0.05) and theta increased to 56 +/- 7 (p < 0.05) in the PT infants, whereas no significant change in either value was observed in the FT group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Interaction between chest wall motion and lung mechanics in normal infants and infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Asynchronous or paradoxic motion between the rib cage and abdomen may be seen in infants with lung disease. We have recently shown that after bronchodilator administration, the degree of asynchrony decreases proportionately to the improvement in lung mechanics. However, whether such thoraco-abdominal asynchrony (TAA) is a useful indicator of lung function in a cross-sectional population, i.e., whether asynchrony correlates with baseline lung mechanics, is unknown. Therefore, we quantitated the degree of TAA using respiratory inductive plethysmography during quiet sleep in ten infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and six weight-matched control infants. We displayed abdominal wall (AB) and rib cage (RC) motion on an X-Y recorder, and from the tidal breathing loop we calculated a phase angle phi, between 0 degrees and 180 degrees as an index of asynchrony (synchronous RC/AB motion = 0 degrees, paradox = 180 degrees). Lung resistance (RL) and compliance/kg (CL/kg) were calculated from esophageal and mouth pressure, tidal volume, and tidal flow. As expected, BPD infants had abnormally high RL, and low CL/kg when compared to controls. All infants with BPD displayed marked thoraco-abdominal asynchrony (phi = 102 +/- 16 degrees, mean +/- SEM; range 35 degrees-160 degrees) with controls displayed synchronous chest wall motion (phi = 8 +/- 3 degrees, range 0 degrees-15 degrees) (P less than 0.001). The degree of TAA was significantly correlated with RL (r = 0.773, P less than 0.001) and inversely correlated with CL/kg (r = -0.67, P less than 0.01). We conclude that in infants of similar weight, TAA may be used as a cross-sectional index reflecting both resistive and elastic properties of the lungs.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Effect of nasal CPAP on thoracoabdominal motion in neonates with respiratory insufficiency.

Thoracoabdominal motion (TAM) profiles were determined in ten infants requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and supplemental oxygen, in order to assess the influence of CPAP on chest wall function in infants with respiratory insufficiency. (TAM) was quantitated by respiratory inductive plethysmography, measuring relative motion of the rib cage and abdomen. Baseline pulmonary function (without CPAP support) was assessed from simultaneous measurements of transpulmonary pressure, air flow, and tidal volume. Measurements of (TAM) were acquired at baseline and at nasal CPAP levels of 0, 3, 5, and 8 cm H2O, in randomized order. Without CPAP, relative paradoxical motion occurred, i.e., the rib cage collapsed inward instead of expanding outward early in inspiration. With CPAP, TAM resembled the pattern in preterm infants, without lung disease. We found that nasal CPAP lowers the phase angle in infants with respiratory insufficiency (P less than 0.003), indicating improved synchrony of TAM. In addition, the improvement with nasal CPAP was related to the severity of pulmonary compromise at baseline. We speculate that changes in TAM associated with nasal CPAP arise from an interaction between pulmonary mechanics and an enhanced stability of the chest wall. In this context, the greater synchrony of TAM is suggestive of an improved breathing strategy. This may be a noninvasively obtainable marker of an effective nasal CPAP level in infants with altered pulmonary and chest wall mechanics.

Humans↗

Immediate improvement in lung volume after exogenous surfactant: alveolar recruitment versus increased distention.

To determine whether changes in lung volume may be responsible for the clinical improvement in preterm infants given exogenous surfactant, we measured functional residual capacity (FRC), lung mechanics, and partial pressure of oxygen in seven ventilated neonates (birth weight 1080 +/- 361 gm (mean +/- SD); gestational age 28.3 +/- 2.6 weeks) less than 9 hours of age who had findings typical of hyaline membrane disease. All patients received 100 mg/kg calf lung surfactant extract. FRC was measured by a closed-circuit helium-dilution technique, and lung mechanics were determined by least mean squares analysis. FRC increased in all patients (range 56% to 330%; p less than 0.03). Dynamic lung compliance and total airway conductance did not change. Mean +/- SEM specific lung compliance (dynamic lung compliance/FRC) decreased 55.93% +/- 4.27% (p less than 0.02) and mean specific conductance (total airway conductance/FRC) decreased 45.91% +/- 9.74% (p less than 0.009). Mean alveolar/arterial partial pressure of oxygen ratio decreased 51.0% +/- 8.67% (p less than 0.01). These data indicate that the immediate improvement in oxygenation after surfactant administration is related to increased lung volumes. The decrease in specific lung compliance and specific airway conductance is suggestive of increased distention rather than recruitment of functional alveoli.

Functional Residual Capacity↗

Dissociation between the effects of theophylline and caffeine on premature airway smooth muscles.

Xanthine derivatives relax adult airway smooth muscle (ASM). To determine whether caffeine and theophylline relax preterm ASM contracted by acetylcholine, 27 tracheal rings obtained from seven preterm lambs (120-135 d gestation) were studied. ASM was contracted using 10(-5) M acetylcholine (control) after the muscle was stretched to the length at which maximum active tension was developed isometrically. Concentration-effect curves for each xanthine were obtained by cumulative addition of the drug. Theophylline produced a significant decrease (p less than 0.001) in active tension at each dose, whereas caffeine significantly increased (p less than 0.001) active tension at 10(-4) and 10(-3) M concentrations. Addition of caffeine and theophylline to previously uncontracted ASM did not alter tension. Thus, it appears that, in contrast to their effect on adult ASM, the xanthine derivatives caffeine and theophylline have differential effects on prestimulated ASM in preterm lambs. These findings raise important questions about various aspects of the current therapeutic use of caffeine and theophylline.

Acetylcholine↗