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Balanced phase-contrast steady-state free precession (PC-SSFP): a novel technique for velocity encoding by gradient inversion.

A technique for measuring velocity is presented that combines cine phase contrast (PC) MRI and balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging, and is thus termed PC-SSFP. Flow encoding was performed without the introduction of additional velocity encoding gradients in order to keep the repetition time (TR) as short as in typical SSFP imaging sequences. Sensitivity to through-plane velocities was instead established by inverting (i.e., negating) all gradients along the slice-select direction. Velocity sensitivity (VENC) could be adjusted by altering the first moments of the slice-select gradients. Disturbances of the SSFP steady state were avoided by acquiring different flow echoes in consecutively (i.e., sequentially) executed scans, each over several cardiac cycles, using separate steady-state preparation periods. A comparison of phantom measurements with those from established 2D-cine-PC MRI demonstrated excellent correlation between both modalities. In examinations of volunteers, PC-SSFP exhibited a higher intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and consequently low phase noise in measured velocities compared to conventional PC scans. An additional benefit of PC-SSFP is that it relies less on in-flow-dependent signal enhancement, and thus yields more uniform SNRs and better depictions of vessel geometry throughout the whole cardiac cycle in structures with slow and/or pulsatile flow.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Comparison between retrospective gating and ECG triggering in magnetic resonance velocity mapping.

ECG-triggered cinematographic studies of the cardiovascular system are hampered by several technical restrictions such as the inability to image end-diastole, ghosting, varying signal intensity, and phase contributions from eddy currents. Retrospective gating may solve these problems, but involves signal manipulation such as interpolating raw data from a time window. In this study, the performance of the two gating strategies was compared in quantitative MR velocity mapping on the abdominal aorta in eight healthy volunteers and on a pulsatile flow phantom. The results were compared to a one-dimensional velocity mapping technique and Doppler ultrasound. Finally, the consequence of decreasing the time window in the raw data interpolation used for retrospective gating was also examined. With retrospective gating, a low-pass filtering was seen, causing significantly prolonged duration and decreased amplitude of flow pulses. However, by reducing the time window retrospectively gated flow measurements were in good agreement with those that are ECG triggered. When fulfilling the demand of a narrow time window for interpolation, retrospective gating offers several advantages in MR velocity mapping.

Algorithms↗

Chronic pulsatile shear stress alters insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) binding protein release in vitro.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a potent smooth muscle cell mitogen indicated to have a role in vascular disease. IGF-I stimulates proliferation via receptor activation but its activity is mediated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Since hemodynamics have been linked to vascular proliferative disorders, we studied how pulsatile low (5 +/- 2 dynes/cm2) and high (23 +/- 8 dynes/cm2) shear stresses impacted IGFBP metabolism in bovine aortic endothelial cells using the Cellmax capillary system. We modeled the pulsatile flow in our system using the Womersley model for flow inside a rigid tube and harmonic analysis revealed that the flow was sinusoidal with a frequency of approximately 0.3 Hz for both shear stress treatments. Laminar flow was confirmed and the phase lag between the pressure and the flow found to be insignificant. Thus, our study provides a necessary characterization of this in vitro system as well as an investigation into how shear impacts the IGF axis. We found a significant difference in IGFBP distribution between treatments and, given that IGFBPs regulate IGF-I activity and that IGF-I-independent activities have been suggested for IGFBP-3, suggest that shear stress may indirectly regulate IGF-I activity, and, by extension, the effect of IGF-I on vascular pathologies.

Aorta↗

In vitro velocity and turbulence measurements in the vicinity of three new mechanical aortic heart valve prostheses: Björk-Shiley Monostrut, Omni-Carbon, and Duromedics.

The in vitro velocity and turbulent shear stress fields created by three new mechanical valve designs (size 27 mm) were studied in the aortic position under pulsatile flow conditions. The following valves were studied: Björk-Shiley Monostrut tilting disc, Omni-Carbon tilting disc, and Duromedics bileaflet. All three valve designs created low pressure gradients with effective orifice areas in the range of 3.10 to 3.90 cm2. Both tilting disc designs created major and minor orifice jets, which were asymmetric in size. The peak velocities of the major and minor orifice jets were, however, of the same magnitude (200 cm/sec). The Omni-Carbon valve created a more even flow distribution through the minor orifice compared with the Björk-Shiley design. Regions of stagnation/flow separation were observed immediately adjacent (ie, distal) to the minor orifice strut and the pivot guards of the Björk-Shiley and Omni-Carbon valve designs, respectively. The Duromedics valve created relatively centralized flow. However, a major portion of the flow occurred through the two lateral orifices. Regions of flow separation/stagnation were observed adjacent to the valve sewing ring in the area of the valve pivot (hinge) mechanism. All three valve designs did create elevated turbulent shear stresses, with peak values in the range of 1000 to 2000 dynes/cm2 and mean values in the range of 100 to 1000 dynes/cm2. Such elevated shear stresses could cause sublethal and/or lethal damage to cellular blood elements. In an overall analysis, these new-generation low-profile mechanical valves are hemodynamically comparable to the Medtronic Hall and St. Jude Medical mechanical valves and are superior to the older-generation mechanical valves. However, it is unlikely that these valve designs will eliminate the problems of thrombosis, thromboembolic complications, and hemolysis.

Aortic Valve↗

Flow effects in balanced steady state free precession imaging.

An analysis of the effect of flow on 2D fully balanced steady state free precession (SSFP) imaging is presented. Transient and steady-state SSFP signal intensities in the presence of steady and pulsatile flow were simulated using a matrix formalism based on the Bloch equations. Various through-plane flow waveforms and rates were modeled numerically considering factors such as the excitation slice profile and both in- and out-flow effects. Phantom measurements in an experimental setup that allowed the assessment of SSFP signal properties as a function of frequency offset and flow rate demonstrated that the computer simulations provided a suitable description of the effects of flow in SSFP imaging. A volunteer scan was performed to provide in vivo validations. For accurate modeling of SSFP signal intensities it is crucial to include effects such as imperfect slice profiles and, more importantly, "out-of-slice" contributions to the signal. Both simulations and experiments show that there can be considerably large-frequency offset dependent-signal contributions from flowing spins that have already left the imaging slice but still add to the SSFP signal. Although spins leaving the slice do not experience additional RF-excitation, gradient activity is not confined to the region of excitations and the balanced nature of the SSFP imaging gradients allows "out-of-slice" transverse magnetization to contribute to the total SSFP signal, effectively by broadening the slice thickness for flowing spins. This results in a frequency dependence of in-flow related signal enhancement and flow artifacts.

Artifacts↗

Calculation of the magnetization distribution for fluid flow in curved vessels.

The signal intensity in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) images reflects both morphological and flow-related features of vascular anatomy. A thorough understanding of MRA, therefore, demands a careful analysis of flow-related effects. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods are very powerful in determining flow patterns in 3D tortuous vessels for both steady and unsteady flow. Previous simulations of MRA images calculated the magnetization of flowing blood by tracking particles as they moved along flow streamlines that had been determined by a CFD calculation. This manuscript describes MRA simulations that use CFD calculations to determine magnetization variation at a fixed point and, therefore, do not require streamline tracking to calculate the distribution of magnetization in flowing fluids. This method inherently accounts for uniform particle density, avoids problems associated with tracking particles close to the wall, and is well-suited to modeling pulsatile flow.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Pulsatile extracorporeal circulation--let it be?

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to induce a whole body inflammatory response. Since the 1970's, a number of trials have explored the effects of pulsatile CPB on systemic organ function and inflammatory response. Clinical benefits of neuroprotection, improved myocardial and splanchnic perfusion, as well as attenuated systemic inflammatory response have been reported. However, skepticism for pulsatile CPB remains because of inconsistencies of clinical benefits and 'non-standardized' trials. Tarcan and colleagues compared clinical, haemodynamic, biochemical and haematological parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing CPB with pulsatile flow versus those without. They found higher circulating white cell count and lower neutrophil count at 1 hour post-operatively in the pulsatile group compared with non-pulsatile group, which was attributed to higher pulmonary neutrophil sequestration. In addition, the pulsatile CPB group had lower pulmonary vascular resistance at 1 hour post-operatively and shorter ventilation time. In the current study, confirmation for pulmonary neutrophil sequestration in the form of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or histology would have been welcomed, and additional markers such as neutrophil elastase or matrix metello-proteinases in BAL, and other measurements of lung function may help clarify the association between neutrophil sequestration, lung injury and clinical endpoints. The role of pulsatile CPB in certain high-risk patients remain uncertain, and until more definite evidence of benefit is available, we should be cautious of its universal application.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Interposition vein cuff anastomosis alters wall shear stress distribution in the recipient artery.

OBJECTIVE: Interposition of a vein cuff between a prosthetic infrainguinal bypass graft and a recipient infrageniculate artery can improve graft patency. There is evidence that the improved performance may be explained by a redistribution of myointimal hyperplasia (MIH) away from the critical areas at the heel and toe of the cuff-artery anastomosis. It is widely accepted that there is an association between hemodynamic forces, more specifically, low wall shear stress (WSS), and the development of MIH. The aim of this study was to determine whether the reported redistribution of MIH in the interposition vein cuff (IVC) may be explained by differences in magnitude and distribution of WSS. Design of Study and Method: Detailed flow velocity measurements were made in life-size models of conventional end-to-side (ETS) and IVC anastomoses using a two-component laser Doppler anemometer under pulsatile flow conditions. Velocity vectors were determined in the plane of symmetry of the anastomosis, and the variation of WSS was estimated from near-wall velocity measurements on the floor and upper wall of the artery. RESULTS: The main flow features in the ETS anastomosis were flow separation at the graft hood, strong radial velocity at the heel, and a stagnation point on the floor of the artery that moved slightly during the flow cycle. In the IVC anastomosis, a coherent vortex that occupied most of the cuff volume was present from the systolic deceleration phase to end diastole. A stagnation point on the anastomosis floor was found to oscillate by about 4 mm. Critical regions of low mean WSS (ie, below 0.5 N/m(2)) were identified. In the ETS anastomosis, they were found at the heel and along the floor. In the IVC anastomosis, low mean WSS was found only on the floor, and it was generally less extensive than in the ETS anastomosis. CONCLUSION: The vein cuff anastomosis alters the mean WSS distribution within the recipient artery and removes the area of low WSS at the heel. This may explain the redistribution of MIH away from important sites in the recipient artery.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Evaluation of cerebral arterial flow with transcranial Doppler ultrasound: theoretical development and phantom studies.

Blood flow information available from transcranial Doppler ultrasound is usually derived from velocity alone because no knowledge of vessel caliber is available. In cases such as vasospasm, where vessel size changes, the inference of flow from velocity becomes questionable. A computational technique was used to calculate a flow index and 2 vessel area indices based on the first and zero moments of the Doppler power spectrum. These indices were tested in a steady and pulsatile flow phantom using 6 different diameter elastic tubes. Changes in the flow index showed good agreement with changes in timed volume flow for different flow rates. The vessel caliber indices correctly predicted changes in area when different diameter tubes were examined. These indices may prove useful in clinical settings where the constancy of flow or vessel diameter between studies are in question.

Cerebral Arteries↗

The role of stasis in the clotting of blood and milk flows around solid objects.

A milk preparation has been used previously as an analogue for the study of flow related thrombosis in vitro. This paper describes further experiments to determine the comparability of milk clotting and thrombosis and to investigate the hydrodynamic correlates of milk clot deposition. An objective was to establish a standard in vitro test for thrombogenicity, thus facilitating the search for athrombogenic designs for prosthetic valves and other devices. Milk clotting in steady and pulsatile flow around four simple bodies of revolution showed many similarities of location and extent with in vivo canine thrombosis formation around similar bodies. A dye injection investigation of the fluid residence time distribution under the hydrodynamic conditions of the milk flow experiments showed that a permanent or trapped vortex persisted at each downstream site where clot was found, implying that stasis, or stagnation, is of predominant importance in causing milk clotting. Supplementary experiments with milk, using a modified Lee-White test, likewise showed that mixing promoted coagulation only after a certain fixed induction period from activation of the clotting process. Thus clot deposition is promoted by mixing which follows a constant induction period, rather than by mixing during an induction phase. This is a significant modification of the previous hypothesis.

Animals↗

[Clinical and experimental studies on pulsatile and continuous flow during extracorporeal circulation (author's transl)].

In 20 patients who underwent open-heart surgery, the plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, free hemoglobin, and cholinesterase were measured before, during and after pulsatile and continuous perfusion. Pulsatile flow was achieved by modification of a roller pump to effect rapid acceleration and slowing. The driving motor was interfaced with a control module to enable ECG-triggered perfusion. In addition to the clinical studies, investigations were performed in 9 dogs to assess the effects of pulsatile and continuous perfusion on liver and pancreas flow during total bypass. During pulsatile perfusion there was a significant increase in insulin which, however, was clearly diminished in relation to glucose levels. The response of the beta-cells was markedly more compromised after continuous than pulsatile perfusion. The secondary postoperative increase in insulin can be accounted for by intravenous administration of glucose and, particularly, after pulsatile perfusion, indicates an almost completely normal response of pancreatic beta-cells. As opposed to the effects of continuous perfusion, the low glucose, glucagon, and growth hormone levels, the insulin increase during and after pulsatile perfusion as well as normal cholinesterase values observed in association with pulsatile perfusion appear to be the result of improved pancreatic and hepatic function. This contention is supported by the experimental finding of significantly increased pancreas and liver perfusion during pulsatile perfusion.

Animals↗

Assessment of spatial and temporal velocity profiles distal of normally functioning Björk-Shiley prosthesis by the Doppler method.

By Doppler echocardiography, the performance of heart valve prostheses is assessed with the aid of maximal transprosthetic velocities, which, however, may not be representative for the full spatial velocity profile in the vicinity of mechanical valve substitutes due to flow separation by the open occluder. The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics of velocity profiles downstream of a normally functioning Björk-Shiley prosthesis. In a pulsatile flow apparatus, different flow rates of 6.3 and 8.4 l/min were delivered. Using a spatially and temporally resolving ultrasonic Doppler method, velocity profiles 20 and 30 mm distal from the prosthesis were registered and displayed in a three-dimensional grid. The spatial velocity profile was found to deviate substantially from a flat profile at these transducer positions at the two flow conditions. Distal to the minor orifice, velocities measured only 70 and 80% of those downstream of the major orifice. In between, a region of relatively slow moving flow was present. The shape of the profiles remained essentially unchanged during acceleration and deceleration of flow. Thus, spatially resolved velocity profiles downstream of mechanical prostheses can be registered by an ultrasonic Doppler device. These findings may be useful for the detection of beginning malfunction both in the experimental and the clinical setting.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

[Flow in natural and artificial organs and vessels (author's transl)].

After introductory remarks about the flow phenomena in the human body (separation, dead waters, stagnation regions) and the model simularity conditions, the flow behaviour in arterial bifurcations at pulsatile flow are considered; they are accompanied by the formation of dead waters and secondary flows and therefore they give the danger of atherosclerosis. Then the flow pattern at arterio-venous anastomosis is interpreted with regard to the danger of thrombogenesis. At the selected example of ball prosthesis the flow pattern and the pressure loss of artificial heart valves (aortic as well as mitral valves) are described; the special behaviour of ball valves used as mitral valves is discussed critically. Finally in a view of contribution to the question of the flow-induced blood damage, in extended series of basic tests on models (orifices and perforated discs) the rate of hemolysis was measured depending on the flow; the tests were completed by measurements at rolling pumps, atria of a artificial ventricle and other parts. In order to try an explanation for the flow-induced hemolysis one starts from the influence of the hemodynamic shear stresses on the damage of the erythrocytes; hereby the effect of the frequently repeated passages of the red blood cells through a stenosis (e.g. regurgitation) should be taken into account.

Aortic Valve↗

Doppler flow velocity mapping in an in vitro model of the normal pulmonary artery.

Pulsed Doppler pulmonary artery velocity measurements are useful in evaluating a number of cardiac conditions including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary stenosis and insufficiency, intracardiac shunts and other congenital abnormalities. However, variations in sample location relative to the arterial wall and valve have been thought to affect pulmonary artery velocity and acceleration measurements clinically. Therefore, pulsed Doppler and color flow mapping were performed in a pulsatile flow apparatus connected to a glass or Plexiglas model of the main pulmonary artery and its bifurcation, which contained a Hancock 29 mm pericardial tissue valve (5.35 cm2 orifice). Doppler sample volumes were placed at four sites: 1) at the pulmonary valve leaflet tips, centrally; 2) 2 cm distal to the leaflet tips, centrally; 3) 2 cm distal but laterally near the pulmonary artery wall; and 4) at the pulmonary artery bifurcation, centrally. Doppler peak flow velocity and acceleration time were measured. There was no difference between sites 1 and 2 in peak flow velocity or acceleration time. At site 3, peak flow velocity and acceleration time were both less than at site 1 (mean +/- SD, 85 +/- 44 versus 105 +/- 39 cm/s, p less than 0.005, and 162 +/- 65 versus 188 +/- 46 ms, p less than 0.03, respectively). Moreover, the pulmonary artery velocity contour at site 3 exhibited increased spectral dispersion and notching and increased variance on the color spectrum. At site 4, peak flow velocity was less than at site 1 (85 +/- 31 versus 105 +/- 39 cm/s, p less than 0.005), whereas pulmonary artery acceleration time was not significantly different. In this model, Doppler pulmonary artery flow velocity was best recorded within 2 cm of the valve and in the center of the vessel. Similar studies should be performed in the human pulmonary artery to standardize the recording technique and sample sites for Doppler measurements of velocity and acceleration.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Spatial velocity distribution and acceleration in serial subvalve tunnel and valvular obstructions: an in vitro study using Doppler color flow mapping.

To evaluate the spatial distribution of flow velocities, turbulence and spatial acceleration in serial tunnel-valve obstruction, Doppler color flow mapping was performed in a pulsatile flow model with a tunnel obstruction (1.0 or 1.5 cm2) inserted at 2, 20 and 40 mm proximal to a mildly stenotic bioprosthetic valve studied at flow rates of 1, 2.7 and 4.9 liters/min. Measured pressure gradients were consistently higher across the tunnel (mean +/- SD 32.7 +/- 26.5 mm Hg) than across the tunnel plus valve (28.8 +/- 26.9 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). Doppler color flow map images were analyzed using a Sony RGB video-digitizing computer, providing numerical velocity assignments for the blue, red and green (variance) pixel components to allow the flow maps to be constructed into digital velocity maps and pseudo three-dimensional velocity maps. The maximal velocity stream extended distal to the tunnel (2 to 19 mm), and the length of this extension correlated well with the pressure gradient measured across the tunnel (r = 0.89), with a rapidly decelerating and turbulent spray area seen immediately distal to the valve. Pressure gradient calculated from the maximal velocity derived from the color flow map, which could only be estimated from the velocity maps for the 1.5 cm2 tunnel, correlated well with the gradient measured across the tunnel (18.0 +/- 14.1 versus 19.2 +/- 14.5 mm Hg, respectively, r = 0.98). Acceleration was seen proximal to both tunnels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Validating volume flow measurements from a novel semiautomated four-dimensional Doppler ultrasound scanner.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Accurate measurement of blood volume flow (in ml/min) is an important clinical goal. This project compared in vitro and in vivo volume flow measurements obtained with a novel, real-time three-dimensional (i.e., four-dimensional) ultrasound scanner (Encore PV; Vuesonix Sensors, Wayne, PA) with those from an invasive transit time flowmeter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A flow pump was used to generate pulsatile flow rates from 60 to 600 ml/min. The Encore detected absolute blood velocity vectors within a volume. The scanner determined the centerline of the vessel and volume flow was then automatically calculated. Results were compared with those of an invasive technique for volumetric blood flow measurements utilizing a transit-time flowmeter (TS420; Transonic Systems Inc., Ithaca, NY). In vivo, 10 second datasets of the volume flow in the distal aorta of six rabbits were obtained simultaneously with the Encore PV and the flowmeter. Data were compared using linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis (due to the lack of independence). RESULTS: In vitro, Encore and flowmeter measurements both matched the flow pump (r2 > 0.99; P < .0001) with mean errors of -11.8% and -0.3%, respectively. Marked underestimation of the true flow rates was encountered with the Encore at the lowest pump setting. In vivo mean volume flows between 10.6 and 79.3 ml/min were measured. Mean and maximum volume flows obtained with the two techniques correlated significantly (P < .0001) with r2 values of 0.86 and 0.62, respectively. The corresponding root-mean-square errors were 6.9% for mean flow and 61.2% for maximum volume flow measurements. CONCLUSION: A new semiautomated four-dimensional Doppler device has been tested in vitro and in vivo. Mean volume flow measurements with this unit are comparable to those of an invasive flowmeter.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Maintenance of pulmonary vasculature tone by blood derived from the inferior vena cava in a rabbit model of cavopulmonary shunt.

INTRODUCTION: After cavopulmonary shunt in which the superior vena cava is anastomosed to the right pulmonary artery, the right lung is in a unique condition without flow pulsatility and hepatic venous effluent. In a previous study, we reported that hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction disappeared in the pulmonary circulation after cavopulmonary shunt. In this study, however, to investigate the influence of pulsatility and hepatic venous effluent on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the pulmonary circulation, we developed an alternative cavopulmonary shunt rabbit model that included hepatic venous effluent in the pulmonary circulation and reduced the pulsatility of the pulmonary arterial blood flow. We then observed the physiologic characteristics of the peripheral pulmonary artery after cavopulmonary shunt, specifically the disappearance of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. METHODS: Sixteen Japanese white rabbits (12-16 weeks old) were used in this study. With general anesthesia, a cavopulmonary shunt was established by anastomosing the right superior vena cava to the right pulmonary artery in an end-to-side fashion. Of the 16 rabbits for the study, the proximal right pulmonary artery was completely ligated in 5 (atresia group) and partially ligated in 6 (stenosis group). Sham operation was performed in the remaining 5 rabbits. Two weeks later, we analyzed the response of the pulmonary artery (which was divided into three categories: segmental, lobular, and acinar level artery) to hypoxia (8% oxygen inhalation) with a specially designed video radiographic system. Morphometric analysis of the resistance pulmonary artery was done in each group after angiography. RESULTS: Mean pressure and pulse pressure in the right pulmonary artery were not significantly different between the atresia and stenosis groups. The mean pulmonary artery pressures in the atresia and stenosis groups were 8 and 11 mm Hg, respectively. However, the pulse pressure was less than 2 mm Hg in both groups. The baseline internal diameter of the resistance pulmonary artery of the atresia group was significantly different from those of the stenosis and sham groups. In the atresia group, the resistance pulmonary arteries did not respond to hypoxia. In contrast, significant constriction (as assessed by percentage change of internal diameter of the resistance pulmonary arteries in the acinar and lobular level arteries) was observed in the pulmonary arteries of the sham and stenosis groups (atresia vs stenosis vs sham 0.4% vs - 19.0% vs - 18.8%, P = .01). In our morphometric study, we observed vasodilation of the resistance pulmonary artery with a thinner medial layer in the atresia group, consistent with the result of microangiography. CONCLUSION: We developed a cavopulmonary shunt rabbit model in which the inferior vena caval blood was derived from the right ventricle. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction was maintained in the model with the blood flow from the right ventricle. When the blood flow was not maintained, however, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction disappeared. This phenomenon strongly suggests that a substance in hepatic venous effluent partially regulates the physiological pulmonary vascular function in the rabbit lung.

Angiography↗

Coronary arterial perfusion during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The effects of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on left ventricular performance have not been studied in detail. Coronary arterial flow obtained by direct measurement with an electromagnetic flowmeter and blood gas analysis from the aortic root were tabulated during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 14 puppies, and these parameters were evaluated with respect to changes in the venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow. Unique automatic blood pumps generating pulsatile flow were used for the venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bypass. Coronary arterial flow decreased as the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow increased (106 +/- 26 ml/min per 100 gm of left ventricle at 20 ml x min(-1) x kg bypass flow to 71 +/- 17 ml/min per 100 gm of left ventricle at 100 ml x min(-1) x kg bypass flow, p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in the mean or diastolic pressures in the ascending aorta despite changes in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow. Arterial oxygen tension in the ascending aorta was not increased even under high-flow venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This result indicates that oxygenated blood from the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit does not pass in a retrograde fashion into the aortic root and thus does not perfuse the coronary arteries. The diastolic aortic pressure did not correlate with the changes in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow. The decrease in coronary arterial flow is therefore predominantly caused by increased coronary arterial resistance. Tension-time index, an indicator of myocardial oxygen consumption, did not decrease with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In conclusion, high-flow venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation causes undesirable hemodynamic effects on the left ventricle.

Analysis of Variance↗