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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Long-term caspase inhibition ameliorates apoptosis, reduces myocardial troponin-I cleavage, protects left ventricular function, and attenuates remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate whether in vivo caspase inhibition can prevent myocardial contractile protein degradation, improve myocardial function, and attenuate ventricular remodeling. BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is thought to play an important role in the development and progression of heart failure (HF) after a myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is not known whether inhibiting apoptosis can attenuate left ventricular (LV) remodeling and minimize systolic dysfunction. METHOD: A 28-day infusion of caspase inhibitor (n = 12) or vehicle (n = 9) was administered to rats immediately after an anterior MI. In addition, five sham-operated rats given the caspase inhibitor were compared with 17 untreated sham-operated animals to study effects in non-MI rats. Left ventricular function, remodeling parameters, and hemodynamics were studied four weeks later. Myocardial caspase 3 activation and troponin-I contractile protein cleavage were studied in the non-infarct, remote LV myocardium using Western blots. Apoptosis was assessed using immunohistochemistry for activated caspase-positive cells as well as the TUNEL method. Collagen volume was estimated using morphometry. RESULTS: Caspase inhibition reduced myocardial caspase 3 activation. This was accompanied by less cleavage of troponin-I, an important component of the cardiac contractile apparatus, and fewer apoptotic cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, caspase inhibition reduced LV-weight-to-body-weight ratio, decreased myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, attenuated LV remodeling, and better preserved LV systolic function after MI. CONCLUSIONS: Caspase inhibition, started soon after MI and continued for four weeks, preserves myocardial contractile proteins, reduces systolic dysfunction, and attenuates ventricular remodeling. These findings may have important therapeutic implications in post-MI HF.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗
PubMed1998

Arrhythmic profile, ventricular function, and histomorphometric findings in patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and mitral valve prolapse: clinical and prognostic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: In patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and apparently normal hearts, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is discovered fairly often, raising the question of whether or not it is an occasional finding. HYPOTHESIS: This issue was analyzed in a series of patients with VT and apparently normal hearts in order to define the prevalence of MVP in this condition, the existence of specific diagnostic features suggesting a nonrandom association between idiopathic VT and MVP, and the prognostic implications of this finding. METHODS: We studied 28 consecutive patients with documented VT and no history of heart disease. Two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, morphometric examination of endomyocardial biopsy and arrhythmologic evaluation (24-h Holter monitoring, electrophysiologic study, and signal-averaged electrocardiogram) were performed. Inclusion criteria for all patients were angiographically normal coronary arteries, normal biventricular function, and absence of histologic evidence of myocarditis. Data obtained in patients found to have MVP at 2-D echo were compared with those of the remaining patients. Long-term follow-up data were also collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of MVP in our study group was 25% (7 patients). It was not associated with leaflet dysplasia or significant regurgitation. Biventricular function (ventricular volumes and ejection fraction) was comparable in patients with and without MVP. Patients with MVP had a significantly higher prevalence of ventricular late potentials at signal-averaged electrocardiogram (86 vs. 29%, p = 0.027), more interstitial fibrosis at morphometry (8.5 +/- 3.7 vs. 5.4 +/- 2.7% p = 0.028), and VT of right bundle-branch block morphology (100 vs. 48%; p = 0.044). Other arrhythmologic findings were similar in the two groups. After a mean follow-up of > 5 years, no patient in either group died, and none developed heart failure or severe mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve prolapse is frequently detected in idiopathic VT. The distinguishing features of this association are (1) VT of right bundle-branch block morphology, (2) high prevalence of ventricular late potentials, and (3) increased fibrosis on endomyocardial biopsy. Ventricular function and other arrhythmologic findings are not specific of this association. Prognosis remains substantially benign, as is true for most cases of idiopathic VT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Exercise response assessed by continuous monitoring of ventricular function in patients with coronary bypass operations.

The response of left ventricular function during exercise and recovery after exercise was assessed in 35 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting before and after the operation by means of a continuous ventricular function monitor, which records serial beat-to-beat radionuclide data and calculates left ventricular ejection fractions every 20 seconds. The mean ejection fraction decreased with graded bicycle exercise from 48% +/- 9% to 41% +/- 11% (p less than 0.001) before operation but increased with exercise from 50% +/- 9% to 55% +/- 11% (p less than 0.001) after operation. Cardiac response was divided into four types with respect to the profiles of the ejection fractions during exercise. Type A continued to increase; type B initially increased but then decreased in late exercise stages; type C did not change significantly; type D continued to decrease. Most patients had type C or D responses before operation but type A after operation. Seven patients with occluded grafts or ungrafted coronary arteries had type B or D responses. Three patients with complete revascularization, including an internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein grafts, had type B responses. Three patients with extensive infarction and poor left ventricular function showed type C. In the early recovery period after exercise, most patients had an "overshoot" elevation of ejection fraction. The mean value increased from 59% +/- 10% before operation to 64% +/- 11% after operation (p less than 0.01). The recovery time after exercise was reduced from 2.8 minutes before operation to 1.8 minutes after operation (p less than 0.001). The continuous ventricular function monitor elucidated changes in left ventricular function both during exercise and recovery after exercise, as well as unmasking abnormalities in left ventricular function after coronary bypass operation.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗
PubMed2001

Tissue tracking allows rapid and accurate visual evaluation of left ventricular function.

AIMS: To evaluate the ability of tissue tracking for rapid assessment of left ventricular function by determination of the systolic mitral annular displacement. Tissue tracking is a new echocardiographic modality based on Doppler Tissue imaging allowing rapid visual assessment of the systolic baso-apical displacement of each myocardial segment in apical views by a graded colour display. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 90 patients (69 male, age 60.4 +/- 10.1 years) with different left ventricular function (25 subjects with normal left ventricular function, 25 patients with homogeneous depression of left ventricular function and 40 patients with prior myocardial infarction). Systolic mitral annular displacement was determined by tissue tracking and M-mode echocardiography. Apical two-, three- and four-chamber views were used to determine the mitral annular displacement of six sites. Left ventricular ejection fraction was determined by two-dimensional echocardiography using Simpson's rule. Tissue tracking was possible in all patients. In the 50 patients with normal left ventricular function or homogeneous depression of left ventricular function, mean mitral annular displacement correlated closely with mitral annular displacement determined by M-mode (r=0.99,P <0.001) and with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.97, P<0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 30% could be predicted with a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 78% using a cut-off value of 4.8mm for the mitral annular displacement determined by tissue tracking. In patients with prior myocardial infarction correlation between the mean mitral annular displacement and left ventricular ejection fraction was lower (r=0.87, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Systolic mitral annular displacement determined by tissue tracking correlates closely with mitral annular displacement determined by M-mode and with left ventricular ejection fraction. Thus, tissue tracking allows rapid semiquantitative evaluation of global left ventricular function by assessment of systolic mitral annular displacement.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Impact of size mismatch and left ventricular function on performance of the St. Jude disc valve after aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamic function of the St. Jude valve may change relative to changes in left ventricular function after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. From theoretical reasons one may hypothesize that prosthetic valve hemodynamic function is related to left ventricular failure and mismatch between valve size and patient/ventricular chamber size. METHODS: Forty patients aged 24 to 82 years who survived aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with a standard St. Jude disc valve (mean size, 23.5 mm; range, 19 to 29 mm) were followed up prospectively with Doppler echocardiography and radionuclide left ventriculography preoperatively and 9 days, 3 months, and 18 months after the operation with assessment of intravascular hemolysis at 18 months. Follow-up to a maximum of 7.4 years (mean, 6.3 years) was 100% complete. RESULTS: Left ventricular muscle mass index decreased from 198 +/- 62 g.m-2 preoperatively to 153 +/- 53 g.m-2 at 18 months (p < 0.001), paralleled by a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, peak ejection rate, and peak filling rate; only 18% of the patients had normal left ventricular muscle mass index and only 32% normal ventricular function (normal left ventricular ejection fraction, peak ejection rate, peak filling rate, early filling fraction, and late filling fraction during atrial contraction) at 18 months. Prosthetic valve peak Doppler gradient dropped from 20 +/- 6 mm Hg at 9 days to 17 +/- 5 mm Hg at 18 months (p < 0.05). Reduction of left ventricular muscle mass index was unrelated to peak gradient and size of the valve. Peak gradient at 18 months rose with valve orifice diameter of 17 mm or less (by 6 mm Hg), orifice diameter/body surface area of 9 mm.m-2 or less (by 5 mm Hg), left ventricular enddiastolic dimension (by 23 mm Hg per 10 mm increase), and impaired ventricular function (by 3 mm Hg). All but 2 patients (5%) had intravascular hemolysis; none had anemia. Two patients with moderate paravalvular leak had the highest serum lactic dehydrogenase levels; 4 patients with trivial leak had higher serum lactic dehydrogenase levels than those without leak. Serum lactic dehydrogenase levels rose with moderate paravalvular leak, impaired ventricular function, and valve orifice diameter. Six patients with trivial or moderate paravalvular leak had a cumulative 7-year freedom from bleeding and thromboembolism of 44% +/- 22% compared with 87% +/- 5% for those without leak (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The peak gradient of the St. Jude aortic valve dropped marginally over the first 18 postoperative months in association with incomplete left ventricular hypertrophy regression and marginal improvement of ventricular function. Mismatch between valve size and ventricular cavity size or patient size and impaired function of a dilated ventricle significantly compromised the performance of the St. Jude valve. Probably explained by platelet destruction or activation, paravalvular leak was related to bleeding and thromboembolic complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Evaluation of right ventricular function by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for patients with left ventricular dysfunction].

We evaluated right and left ventricular function by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for the patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < or = 40) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We divided these patients into two groups; group 1 who had difficulty of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass due to hypotension (n = 8) and group 2 who did not have any difficulty of it (n = 17). Basement characteristics (age, gender, history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, LVEF, severity of the right coronary artery disease) of both groups were not different significantly. Intraoperative characteristics (the number of distal anastomoses, duration of aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass, and bypass to the right coronary artery) were also not different between two groups. However, mean duration of ICU stay and in-hospital mortality were significantly longer and higher in group 1 than group 2. On the other hand, right ventricular systolic function was severely impaired, particularly postoperatively, in group 1 compared with group 2. Right and left ventricular systolic function of group 2 was fairly improved postoperatively. These results may indicate that right ventricular dysfunction is a potent predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality for the patients with left ventricular dysfunction who undergo isolated CABG.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with poor left ventricular function using retrograde continuous cold blood cardioplegia].

Patients with poor left ventricular function or those requiring urgent surgery may have more extensive ischemic myocardial injury if myocardial preservation is incomplete. We have performed coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) aimed at complete revascularization in such cases using RC-CBCP, which is considered more effective on myocardial preservation during aortic cross-clamping in particular to protect ischemic area distal to severe coronary artery stenosis or obstruction. In the present study, in 25 patients with poor left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction; LVEF less than or equal to 0.3) including 10 patients who required urgent surgery, the operative results were evaluated. All the distal and proximal anastomoses of grafts (average 2.5 grafts) were completed during one aortic cross-clamping using RC-CBCP, therefore graft flow was obtained immediately after release of the aortic clamping. Though this method required 142 minutes of a mean aortic cross-clamping time, myocardial protection was considered to be preferable judging from postoperative isoenzymatic evaluation and improved ventricular function. Fifteen patients with elective CABG were all alive and restored to NYHA class I to II. Among 10 patients requiring urgent CABG, 4 patients with acute myocardial infarction died but others were restored to NYHA class I to II. We conclude that it is important to aim at complete coronary revascularization in patients with poor left ventricular function and RC-CBCP achieves more effective myocardial protection during CABG in the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Assessment of left ventricular function using digital angiography.

We have demonstrated that selective digital left ventricular angiography using small amounts of contrast material minimized both symptoms and hemodynamic alterations and provided good images for assessment of regional ventricular function. However, comparisons of ejection fraction (EF), end-systolic volume (ESV), and end-diastolic volume (EDV) from digital angiography, at 10 frames per second, with measurements derived from conventional angiography, showed only a fair correlation between the two methods. Using a new generation of digital equipment and an acquisition time of 30 frames per second, we studied the correlation between digital and conventional angiography in 29 patients with coronary artery disease for a wide spectrum of left ventricular functions. Ventricular volumes and EF were calculated by computer using the area-length method. The correlation coefficient (r) between both the methods was 0.93 for EF, 0.95 for ESV and 0.89 for EDV. Thus digital left ventricular angiography provides an accurate evaluation of left ventricular function and can with advantage replace conventional angiography for this purpose.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Independent value of signal-averaged electrocardiography and left ventricular function in identifying patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia with coronary artery disease.

To determine if the signal-averaged electrocardiographic detection of late potentials is an independent marker of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with documented chronic coronary artery disease (CAD), 57 patients underwent signal-averaged electrocardiography. Mean ejection fraction was 47 +/- 13% in the 14 patients with sustained VT and 56 +/- 19% in the 43 patients without VT (difference not significant). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of late potentials for detecting patients with VT were 64% (9 of 14), 79% (34 of 43), and 75% (43 of 57), respectively. Univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression of angiographic and electrocardiographic variables identified late potentials as an independent marker of the patient with sustained VT. The odds ratio for late potentials to detect patients with prior sustained VT was 2.6. Six-month follow-up revealed a cardiac mortality rate of 11% and an arrhythmia event rate of 22% in patients with late potentials vs a cardiac mortality rate of 3% and an arrhythmia event rate of 13% in patients without late potentials. Thus, signal-averaged electrocardiographic detection of late potentials is useful in identifying patients with prior sustained VT independent of left ventricular function.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor during positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation in dogs with normal or impaired left ventricular function.

The influence of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation on plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was studied in dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital during normal cardiac function and during acutely impaired left ventricular function. Left ventricular impairment was induced by injecting repeated doses of polystyrene microspheres with a diameter of 50 microns into the main left coronary artery, causing a severe depression of left ventricular performance. This was accompanied by doubling of ANF concentrations measured in blood sampled from aorta. Application of PEEP (10 cmH2O (0.98 kPa] reduced plasma ANF in dogs both with normal and impaired left ventricular function. The decrease was significantly greater during left ventricular impairment compared to control, 31 and 19%, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between plasma ANF and transmural left ventricular end-diastolic pressure when all data were pooled, but not between ANF and transmural right atrial pressure. This implies that transmural left ventricular end-diastolic and hence transmural left atrial pressure probably is the principal determinant of acute ANF release in this model. Reduced plasma ANF in response to PEEP even during acute left ventricular impairment when ANF release was augmented, was probably due to diminished atrial distension during PEEP ventilation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Ambulatory ventricular function monitoring for serial assessments of cardiac function during exercise.

An ambulatory ventricular function monitor (VEST) facilitated measuring left ventricular (LV) function, and performing electrocardiography (ECG) in a natural environment. To assess cardiac response to a variety of exercises, LV function was serially recorded for each of 18 normal subjects using a VEST. The VEST detector was fixed over the LV region following the gated blood pool scan, and the beat-to-beat LV time-activity curve and ECG were continuously recorded. After a baseline recording was made with the subject sitting quietly, the subject performed on a bicycle exercise (n = 16), on a treadmill (n = 14), and by walking up 10-16 flights of stairs (n = 18) while wearing the VEST. The beat-to-beat radionuclide data were averaged for 15-30 seconds to calculate ejection fraction (EF), relative end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes, and the heart rate. Serial LV function monitoring during each exercise, particularly while walking upstairs and on a treadmill, documented rapid increases in EF during the early stages of exercise, with increases in EDV, decreases in ESV, and no change in EF in the later stages. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure increased progressively with successive stages. The pressure rate product at the peak exercise was highest during treadmill exercise (32,600) and lowest while climbing stairs (24,700). Immediately after exercise, EDV and ESV rapidly decreased and EF increased further, particularly after bicycle and treadmill exercise. These data demonstrate that the VEST can measure LV function continuously in an ambulatory environment, and that it is an effective means of evaluating normal cardiac physiology during various exercises.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The significance of nitroglycerin-induced changes in ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction.

The potential of nitroglycerin for improving global and regional ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction and predicting serial change in ventricular function at the time of hospital discharge was investigated. Equilibrium multiple gated blood pool scintigrams were performed at rest before and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin in 18 patients an average of 36 hours after infarction and again at discharge. Global right and left ventricular function and regional left ventricular function of infarct and noninfarct zones were determined scintigraphically. In the early study nitroglycerin increased both mean (+/- standard deviation) left ventricular ejection fraction (0.51 +/- 0.15 to 0.55 +/- 0.15 ; p less than 0.02) and mean right ventricular ejection fraction (0.42 +/- 0.14 to 0.47 +/- 0.13; p less than 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased in 5 of the 18 patients. It increased late in five of the six patient who exhibited an increase early after nitroglycerin but in only 2 of the 12 patients who did not exhibit an early increase (p less than 0.06). Regional ejection fraction in the infarct zone increased late in 7 of the 12 patients who exhibited an early increase after nitroglycerin and in none of the 6 who did not exhibit an early increase (p less than 0.05). Both right and left ventricular global ejection fraction and regional ejection fraction showed little late responsiveness to nitroglycerin. Early after infarction, sublingual nitroglycerin improved left, right and regional ejection fraction at the infarct site in some patients. These nitroglycerin-induced changes predicted those patients whose global ventricular function and regional left ventricular function at the infarct site improved late.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Angiocardiography with the seven-pinhole collimator: evaluation of methodology and accuracy in assessing global and regional left ventricular function.

Determination of left ventricular function with tomographic radionuclide angiocardiography using a seven-pinhole collimator was evaluated by comparing results of invasive contrast studies and planar multigated blood pool imaging to the tomographic study of 25 patients. LAO, seven-pinhole multigated blood pool acquisition was reconstructed to produce eight slices from apex to base in each of eight segments of the cardiac cycle. After applying an edge detection routine, three-dimensional reconstruction of perimeters allowed cyclic viewing of the left ventricular angiogram in any projection. When planar and tomographic radionuclide techniques were compared to contrast studies, sensitivity and specificity for identification of segmental wall motion abnormalities were not different (93% and 90% for both). Ejection fraction was determined from tomography by integration of slices to produce a noncalibrated volume and from planar blood pool imaging and contrast ventriculograms by standard techniques. Ejection fraction as compared to contrast studies was accurately determined on the planar angiogram (R = .87, P less than .001) with tomographic analysis showing similar significant correlation (R = .79, P less than .001). Methodologic evaluation indicated that the tomographic study was readily positioned and acquired and provided the advantage of requiring little operator interaction. It suffers, however, from the disadvantage of long reconstruction times with current software and occasional difficulties in defining the superior extent of the left ventricle.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed2004

Avoidance of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Improves Early Survival in Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Patients with Poor Ventricular Function.

Abstract Background: Patients with diminished ventricular function represent an increasing percentage of candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We have reviewed our recent experience in CABG in patients with ejection fractions (EF) </=30% to identify factors leading to improved outcomes in this high-risk group. Methods: Between January 1997 and September 2002, 990 patients with EF </=30% underwent CABG. Univariate and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze data from 204 patients who underwent revascularization off-pump and 713 patients who underwent grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for differences in mortality, morbidity, and length of stay (LOS). Results: Compared with the on-pump patient cohort, patients with depressed ventricular function who underwent revascularization without the use of CPB had a lower operative mortality rate that trended toward significance (2.9% versus 6.3%; P =.06) and a significantly lower risk-adjusted mortality rate (1.47% versus 4.13%; P <.001), despite a higher predicted risk (5.4% +/- 5.5% versus 4.3% +/- 3.7%; P =.01). Additionally, patients who underwent off-pump bypass grafting had a significantly lower incidence of reoperation for bleeding (1.0% versus 4.6%; P =.02), lower blood product use (39.6% versus 66.6%; P <.001), decreased postoperative ventilation times (11.3 +/- 37.4 hours versus 46.1 +/- 156.1 hours; P <.001), and fewer days in the intensive care unit (2.6 +/- 3.8 days versus 4.2 +/- 6.5 days; P <.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CPB use ( P =.048; odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-5.8) and previous CABG ( P =.015; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.7) were independent risk factors for mortality. A trend toward a shorter LOS (7.6 +/- 7.9 days versus 8.9 +/- 9.6 days; P =.06) was also seen in the off-pump patients. Conclusion: Avoidance of CPB in patients with reduced ventricular function undergoing multivessel bypass improves early survival rates and decreases the incidence of reoperation for bleeding, blood product use, and postoperative ventilatory times.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1983

Relation of segmental wall motion to global left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction.

The relation of left ventricular regional wall motion to global ventricular function was evaluated by radionuclide ventriculography in 127 patients within 18 hours of acute myocardial infarction. No patient had evidence of previous myocardial infarction. The following parameters were measured: (1) wall motion index; (2) percent of abnormally contracting segment; (3) ejection fraction (EF); (4) end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV); and (5) peak systolic cuff pressure/end-systolic volume ratio (PSP/ESV). The measurements of global function correlated well with wall motion index (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001 for EF; r = -0.69, p less than 0.001 for ESV; and r = 0.061, p less than 0.001 for PSP/ESV), but EDV correlated less well (r = -0.35, p less than 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that EF correlated best with wall motion index, and no other parameters of global left ventricular function added significantly to the regression. The correlation of motion in each segment with EF was determined by multiple linear regression analysis. Ejection fraction correlated best with motion in the anterobasal, then in order of correlation, in the apical-septal, inferoapical, anterolateral, and superlateral walls. The relation of EDV, ESV, and degree of percent abnormally contracting segments was as follows: EDV did not increase with a mild regional wall motion abnormality; however, ESV did increase and reduced stroke volume. As percent abnormally contracting segments worsened, enlargement of both EDV and ESV was seen and was associated with further reduction in systolic volume. These data suggest that EF is the best global left ventricular function correlate of the severity of the regional wall motion abnormality, and that abnormal motion in the territory of the left anterior descending coronary best predicts reduction in global left ventricular function. Radionuclide ventriculography is useful in characterizing global and regional left ventricular function in the early hours of acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adriamycin cardiomyopathy: pathological and membrane functional changes in a canine model with mild impairment of left ventricular function.

Mild impairment of left ventricular function determined echocardiographically was produced in dogs by serial intravenous administration of adriamycin (1 mg/kg/week for 10 weeks). Mild histological changes were observed including vacuolar degeneration but there was a minimal disruption of myocardial architecture (mean severity score 1.4). Ultrastructure of the heart was relatively intact but focal changes included a slight disarray of cellular structure with mitochondrial swelling and distortion, myocytolysis, sarcoplasmic reticular vacuolization, increased glycogen and lipid levels and rounding of nuclei with large condensed nucleoli. Despite involvement of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in damaged myocytes, the transverse-tubules appeared to be normal. It was felt that these changes represent an early stage of adriamycin cardiomyopathy. Ouabain binding was carried out as a test of sarcolemmal integrity. A significant increase in the total number of ouabain binding sites without a change in the dissociation constant was seen. A correlation was observed between the degree of impairment of left ventricular function and the observed increase in ouabain binding. These results support the concept of sarcolemmal membrane alteration as an early mechanism of adriamycin-induced myocardial functional impairment.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Antegrade or retrograde blood cardioplegic method: comparison of postsurgical right ventricular function and conduction disturbances].

This study was undertaken to compare postsurgical right ventricular function and the occurrence of conduction disturbances after employing cold blood antegrade or retrograde cardioplegia during open heart surgery. Thirty-four patients were divided into AC (antegrade) and RC (retrograde) groups for the difference of route for delivery of cardioplegic solutions. Preoperative evaluation of cardiac and respiratory function revealed to be equal characteristics between the groups. Postoperatively, A-aDO2 and respiratory index (RI) as functional parameters of oxygenation capacity, LVSWI, RVSWI, dosage of dopamine and conduction disturbances were monitored at 0, 3, 6, 12 hours after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass and at extubation period. Although the recovery of respiratory function and left ventricular function were similar in both groups, temporal suppression of right ventricular function was indicated in RC group during early period after surgery, and then recovered to the same values of AC group within 3 hours. In RC group, several type of conduction disturbances were detected in 28 per cent of patients. But none of the persistent conduction disturbances were remained in all patients. We suggest retrograde coronary sinus perfusion may emerge as a valuable alternative to antegrade methods for delivery of cardioplegia.

Blood↗
PubMed1993

Case management of the anemic patient: epoetin alfa--focus on ventricular function.

Chronic anemia frequently causes changes in cardiac function, particularly left ventricular function, that can lead to serious cardiovascular problems. Because Epoetin alfa corrects anemia, it may eliminate some of these problems or decrease their severity. By assessing cardiovascular function and monitoring response to Epoetin alfa, nurses can help patients achieve their optimal level of cardiac function.

Anemia↗