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Significance of right atrial function during right sided inotropic stimulation of pig hearts in situ.

Cardiac adjustments to inotropic stimulation of the right side of the heart were examined in anaesthetised, open chest pigs by calcium chloride infusion (80 mumol.min-1) into the right coronary artery. At stable haemodynamic conditions and at constant heart rate, right ventricular (RV) pre-ejection segment length increased by 4.6 (2.7-7.2) % (median, 95 % confidence interval) (p less than 0.01), RV end diastolic pressure rose from 5.3 (3.4-7.7) to 6.0 (3.6-8.8) mm Hg (p less than 0.05), and stroke volume rose by 6.8 (4.2-10.8) % (p less than 0.001). When the effect of right atrial contraction on RV filling was excluded by simultaneous pacing of atria and ventricles, the RV pre-ejection segment length no longer increased, and stroke volume rose by only 3.5 (0.1-9.5) % (p less than 0.05) during right side inotropic stimulation. Right atrial inotropic stimulation improves right ventricular filling, and may cause redistribution of blood from the systemic to the pulmonary circulation. This redistribution would raise the pulmonary vascular pressures, and thereby also improve left ventricular filling. The improved right ventricular filling partly accounts for the rise in RV output.

Animals

The effects of cardioplegic arrest on right atrial function.

Atrial electrical and mechanical activity persists during cardioplegic arrest. It has been postulated that atrial ischemia may occur and cause deterioration in atrial function. This study was designed to assess the effect of cardioplegic arrest on right atrial function. Twenty-one pigs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the right atrium was isolated from the circulation by snaring both venae cavae and incising the coronary sinus. The tricuspid valve was closed through a small right ventriculotomy, and baseline atrial function was assessed using a compliant balloon in the atrium. Fourteen pigs underwent one hour of cardioplegic arrest (7 with cardioplegia alone [CCA group] and 7 with the addition of topical hypothermia [CCA + TH group]) followed by one hour of normothermic reperfusion. Seven other pigs were placed on CPB for the same period of time (CPB group). Atrial electrical and mechanical activity persisted at 45 beats per minute in the CCA group but was virtually abolished in the CCA + TH group. Cardioplegic arrest caused considerable deterioration in right atrial function (developed pressure, 18.9 +/- 0.8 [baseline] versus 14.1 +/- 0.7 mm Hg; p less than 0.05; first derivative of atrial pressure [dP/dt], 187 +/- 19 versus 134 +/- 25 mm Hg per second; p less than 0.05; 60 minutes of reperfusion and balloon volume of 20 ml). It was not affected by topical cooling. Right atrial developed pressure was maintained, but dP/dt was significantly reduced in the CPB group. This study suggests that cardioplegic arrest does not protect the atrium.

Animals

Echocardiographic assessment of right atrial function in patients with myocardial infarction with reference to obstructive lesions of the coronary arteries.

We assessed the relationship between right atrial (RA) function and obstructive lesions of the coronary arteries in 29 patients with recent or old myocardial infarction (MI). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the location of obstructions as follows: obstruction at the proximal right coronary artery (segments 1 and 2) (RCA proximal group, n=9); obstruction at the distal RCA (segments 3 and 4) (RCA distal group, n=6); and obstruction at the left anterior descending coronary artery (LCA group, n=14). The RA volume and the fractional change in the RA area during atrial contraction (RA %AC) were evaluated by apical 2-dimensional echocardiography. The right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) was measured in 4 patients in the RCA proximal group and 4 patients in the LCA group. The ejection fraction of the right ventricle (RVEF) was measured by radionuclide angiography or 2-dimensional echocardiography in 7 patients in the RCA proximal group, 5 patients in the RCA distal group, and 7 patients in the LCA group. The RVEF tended to be lower in the RCA proximal group than in the RCA distal and LCA groups. The RA volume was significantly greater in the RCA proximal group than in the LCA group. The RA %AC was significantly smaller in the RCA proximal group than in the RCA distal and LCA groups. There were no significant differences in the early diastolic RV inflow velocity among groups, but the late diastolic RV inflow velocity was significantly lower in the RCA proximal group than in the RCA distal and LCA groups. There was no significant difference in the RVEDP between the RCA proximal and LCA groups. Thus, RA dysfunction in the RCA proximal group appeared to be due to myocardial damage rather than to afterload mismatch. These findings suggest that RA dysfunction may occur in patients with an inferior MI who have an obstructive lesion of the proximal RCA.

Aged

A new scintigraphic technique for assessment of right atrial function.

Gated radionuclide imaging with 99mTc-labeled red blood cells was employed to assess changes in right atrial (RA) volume in 17 subjects. Studies were repeated within two hours in five of 12 normal subjects and at two and ten days after infarction in five patients. Time-activity curves were generated for the RA and right ventricle (RV) from variable regions of interest defined by automatic edge detection. The RA time-activity curve exhibited four phases: filling, early emptying, equilibration, and late emptying. Repeated measurements of RA early emptying rates correlated closely in normals (r = 0.93). Early RA emptying and RV filling rates corresponded closely (r = 0.89). In four patients with infarction, the RA emptying rate was slowed on the first study but had normalized by 10 days. In a patient with inferior infarction and suspected RV infarction, the RA emptying rate was depressed and remained so for 10 days. Thus, relative changes in right atrial volume can be assessed reproducibly by a radionuclide technique, which is relatively independent of geometric assumptions. This technique offers great promise as a method to assess atrial function in health and disease.

Adult

[Assessment of right atrial and ventricular function by radionuclide ventriculography using continuous infusion of 81mKr].

The purpose of this study is to assess the right atrial and ventricular function by radionuclide ventriculography using continuous infusion of 81mKr in normal subjects and in patients with heart disease. 1) Reproducibility of RVEF measurement by continuous infusion of 81mKr was good (interobserver; gamma = 0.97, p less than 0.001, n = 20: intraobserver; gamma = 0.97, p less than 0.001, n = 20). This method had a excellent correlation with RVEF of 99mTc first-pass technique (gamma = 0.92, p less than 0.001, n = 20). 2) RVEF was measured in 10 normal volunteers, 76 patients with myocardial infarction (OMI), 20 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 5 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) and 5 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). In OMI and DCM, their RVEF was lower than that of normal volunteers and, in ARVD and PPH, lower than that of OMI and DCM. There was a significant inverse correlation between RVEF, mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic volume index. 3) The effect of the location of right coronary artery (RCA) lesions on RVEF during exercise was also evaluated. Ten normal volunteers and 27 patients with OMI were studied at rest and during exercise. The patients with OMI were divided into two groups: those without proximal RCA lesions (non RCA group, n = 12) and those with proximal RCA lesions (RCA group, n = 15). Although there were no significant increases of RVEF during exercise in both group, the percent change in RVEF was less in RCA group than in non RCA group. These findings suggested that proximal RCA stenosis is a major determinant of exercise RVEF. 4) To assess the right atrial function, right atrial volume curve was measured in 10 normal volunteers, 32 patients with OMI and 4 patients with PPH. The curve was clearly divided into 4 phase; filling phase (312 +/- 40 msec), early ejection phase (276 +/- 53 msec), plateau an index of right atrial reservoir function, was 0.41 +/- 0.05 and Contractile Volume/Stroke Volume (Contr. V/SV), as an index of right atrial pump function, was 0.23 +/- 0.05 in normal volunteers. In OMI and PPH, atrial reservoir function decreased and atrial pump function increased. It was concluded that radionuclide ventriculography using continuous infusion of 81mKr was useful to assess the right heart function.

Atrial Function, Right

Left and right atrial transport function after the Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation: an echocardiographic Doppler follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated atrial transport function after the Maze procedure in long-term follow-up and compared left and right atrial function in Maze patients with that of healthy age-matched controls using echo Doppler techniques. BACKGROUND: The Maze procedure is designed to eliminate atrial fibrillation, restore normal sinus rhythm, and preserve atrial contraction. Initial data indicate that atrial transport function is restored in most patients undergoing the Maze procedure. The long-term echo Doppler evaluation of patients after the Maze procedure has not been well described. METHODS: We performed pulsed-wave Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiographic studies on 31 patients (24 men, mean age 53.8 years) who underwent the Maze procedure and who had a follow-up study greater than 3 months (mean 16.5 months) after the procedure. Measurements included peak left ventricular and right ventricular inflow A-wave velocity, maximum and minimum left atrial and right atrial areas, and fractional area change of the left and right atria. Results were compared with those obtained from 15 age-matched control subjects (11 men, mean age 53.8 years). RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (71%) had left atrial function shown by the presence of left ventricular inflow A-wave, and 25 patients (81%) had right atrial function shown by the presence of right ventricular inflow A-wave on Doppler echocardiography. The left ventricular inflow A-wave velocity was significantly lower than that of age-matched controls (37.5 +/- 15.5 versus 61.0 +/- 13.9 cm/sec; p < 0.001), whereas the right ventricular inflow A-wave velocity did not significantly differ between patients and control subjects (35.4 +/- 9.9 versus 35.3 +/- 4.9 cm/sec; p = Not significant). Although left and right atrial areas decreased significantly after the procedure, there was no significant change in the fractional area change which was smaller in Maze patients than control individuals. CONCLUSIONS: (1) In long-term follow-up of 16.5 months after the Maze procedure, left atrial systolic function was preserved in 71% of our patients and right atrial systolic function was preserved in 81%; (2) the left ventricular inflow peak A-wave velocity after Maze is considerably less than that in age-matched controls; and (3) left and right atrial sizes decreased after the procedure with no change in the fractional area change. These findings suggest that the Maze procedure is effective in restoring atrial function in the majority of patients; however, restored function is less than in control individuals.

Adult

Relation of mean right atrial pressure to echocardiographic and Doppler parameters of right atrial and right ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: A paucity of data exists as to the relation of mean right atrial pressure (RAP) to Doppler parameters of right atrial and ventricular filling. Furthermore, whether echocardiographic parameters of right atrial and right ventricular function and inferior vena cava improve the relation of Doppler filling dynamics with RAP has not been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: Doppler and echocardiographic studies were performed simultaneously with measurements of mean RAP in consecutive patients who either had a central venous catheter in the Intensive Care Unit or underwent catheterization of the right side of the heart. The initial population consisted of 35 patients with a mean age (+/-SD) of 60+/-15 years; 34% were on mechanical ventilation. Mean RAP averaged 9+/-5.7 mm Hg (range, 2 to 28 mm Hg). Among tricuspid inflow parameters, the strongest relation with RAP was observed with the ratio of early to late velocity (r=.66). For hepatic venous flow, systolic filling wave indexes had the best relation with atrial pressure, the highest being for systolic filling fraction (r=-.86). Weaker relations were noted with the use of right atrial volumes, right ventricular function, and inferior vena caval diameters. The addition of any of these variables did not improve the relation of systolic filling fraction with RAP. The regression equation (RAP=21.6-24 systolic filling fraction) was tested prospectively in the estimation of atrial pressure 50 patients. The correlation coefficient was .89 in the prospective group and .88 in the total group of 85 patients. The mean difference between predicted and actual pressures in the whole population was -0.2+/-2.6 mm Hg. The sensitivity and specificity for mean RAP>8 mm Hg were 86% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among echocardiographic and Doppler parameters of right atrial and right ventricular function, hepatic venous flow dynamics relate best to mean atrial pressure and can be used clinically to estimate mean RAP.

Adult

Right atrial ischemia exacerbates hemodynamic compromise associated with experimental right ventricular dysfunction.

To determine the importance of right atrial function with acute right ventricular dysfunction, sequential right ventricular and right atrial ischemia were induced in 15 dogs. Right ventricular ischemia resulted in right ventricular free wall dyskinesia, right ventricular dilation by ultrasound, elevated right ventricular filling pressure and paradoxic septal motion. There were decrements in right ventricular systolic pressure (28.9 +/- 5.5 to 25.5 +/- 4.6 mm Hg) (p less than 0.05 for these and all subsequent values) and stroke work (5.66 +/- 0.94 to 2.66 +/- 0.62 g.m/m2), resulting in reductions in left ventricular preload, systolic pressure (123 +/- 11 to 97 +/- 12 mm Hg) and stroke volume (24.2 +/- 4.3 to 19.1 +/- 5.2 ml). Right atrial contractility was augmented, as indicated by increases in peak A wave amplitude (ratio of peak A wave to mean right atrial pressure 1.22 +/- 0.02 to 1.46 +/- 0.3) and right atrial stroke work (0.11 +/- 0.02 to 0.25 +/- 0.05 g.m/m2). Right atrial ischemia depressed right atrial contraction, as indicated by decreased A wave amplitude (ratio of peak A wave to mean right atrial pressure 1.46 +/- 0.3 to 1.04 +/- 0.2) and stroke work (0.25 +/- 0.05 to 0.04 +/- 0.01 g.m/m2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance

Is atrial function affected by conventional cardioplegic arrest?

Conventional cardioplegic arrest results in persistent atrial electrical and mechanical activity. This activity has been postulated to result in atrial ischemia which can induce postoperative arrhythmias and impair the transport function of the atrium. In this study, the effects of simple cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (seven pigs) and conventional cardioplegic arrest (CCA) (seven pigs) on right atrial function were evaluated. Function was assessed in an isolated right atrial preparation with a compliant balloon inserted via the superior vena cava. CCA for 1 hr produced significant deterioration in right atrial function (developed pressure 14.1 +/- 0.7 vs 18.9 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, P less than 0.05, diastolic pressure 10.0 +/- 1 vs 4.5 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, P less than 0.05, dP/dt 134 +/- 25 vs 187 +/- 19 mm Hg/sec, P less than 0.05 at a balloon volume of 20 ml after 1 hr of reperfusion). CPB alone caused no alteration in pressures in the right atrium but was associated with a late decrease in dP/dt (developed pressure 19.3 +/- 1.8 vs 18.9 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, diastolic pressure 4.0 +/- 1.2 vs 4.5 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, dP/dt 148 +/- 18 vs 187 +/- 19, P less than 0.05 at a balloon volume of 20 ml at a time corresponding to 1 hr of reperfusion in the CCA group). These results are consistent with the postulate that conventional techniques of cardioplegic arrest are associated with ischemic dysfunction of the right atrium.

Animals

[Modified Fontan procedure, is the right atrial pump function necessary or not? Experimental approach using simulation model].

The effect of pulsatile pulmonary flow and the characteristics of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) trace were examined using a model simulating the right heart following the modified Fontan procedure. An inlet overflow tank (preload), valveless axial pulsatile pump, Windkessel model (afterload), and an outlet overflow tank (left atrium) were connected in series. Standard conditions were: flow 2.00 l/m, with 12 mmHg preload, 3.0 wood units resistance and left atrial pressure at 6 mmHg. The pump rate was set at 80 bpm. Simulated PAP and pulmonary flow (PF) waves produced by this model closely resembled those obtained from patients who had undergone the modified Fontan procedure. Parameters except preload were fixed and changes in PF were examined at varying preload of 8, 12, 15 and 17 mmHg. At the various preload levels, PF increased to values greater than the PF for the same conditions in the non-pulsatile state. With a preload value of 8 mmHg, PF increased from 1.10 l/m (non-pulsatile) to a maximum of 1.55 l/m at a peak PAP of 14 mmHg. With a preload of 12 mmHg, the PF increased from 2.00 l/m (non-pulsatile) to 2.65 l/m at 19 mmHg peak PAP. A preload of 15 mmHg resulted in an increase in PF from 2.65 l/m (non-pulsatile) to 3.30 l/m at 22 mmHg peak PAP, and when the preload was 17 mmHg the PF increased from 3.15 l/m (non-pulsatile) to 3.80 l/m at 25 mmHg peak PAP. The afterload of this model was fixed so the increase in PF with pulsation suggests a decrease in resistance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atrial Function, Right

Modulation of electrophysiological properties of neonatal canine heart by tonic parasympathetic stimulation.

The effects of tonic right and left vagal stimulation (RVS and LVS) on electrophysiological properties of the immature myocardium and specialized conduction system were evaluated in 11 neonatal canines pretreated with propranolol (1 mg/kg iv). Electrophysiological studies were performed by recording intracardiac electrograms from multiple endocardial catheters during programmed electrical stimulation. Assessments were made of sinus node function, intra-atrial, atrioventricular (AV) nodal and His-Purkinje conduction, and atrial and ventricular refractoriness in the control state and during RVS and LVS at 4-12 Hz. Vagal stimulation prolonged the sinus cycle length; RVS produced a 38% increase and LVS a 25% increase at 8 Hz (P less than 0.01). There were no changes in the intra-atrial or His-Purkinje conduction times. Comparable increases occurred during RVS and LVS in the paced cycle length resulting in AV nodal Wenckebach, the AV nodal conduction time at a paced cycle length of 340 ms, and the effective and functional refractory periods of the AV node, suggesting symmetrical influences of the right and left vagus on neonatal AV nodal function. Right atrial effective and functional refractory periods shortened significantly during vagal stimulation (ERP, 36% RVS and 23% LVS; FRP, 27% RVS and 15% LVS), and in 5 of 11 neonates, a sustained regular atrial tachyarrhythmia was induced during atrial extra-stimulation. Small yet significant increases were observed in the right ventricular ERP and FRP during vagal stimulation. This study provides information regarding the functional integrity of the parasympathetic nervous system and its potential role as a modulator of the electrophysiological properties of the newborn heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Atrial reservoir and active transport function after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation.

Atrial reservoir function has not been studied after successful cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. Using transthoracic and transesophageal Doppler echocardiography, we measured flow velocity-time integrals of the systolic forward (Sa), diastolic forward (Da), and diastolic reversed (rAa) waves of flow velocity waveforms in the pulmonary vein and the superior vena cava, and those of the early diastolic (Ea) and late diastolic (Aa) waves of the transmitral and transtricuspid flow velocity waveforms. The left and right atrial storage fractions (LASF, RASF), indexes of atrial reservoir function, were determined as the ratios of the atrial storage volume to the ventricular stroke volume; (Sa - rAa)/(Sa - rAa + Da). The left and right atrial active contraction fractions (LAACF, RAACF), indexes of atrial active transport function, were also determined as the ratios of the atrial active contraction volume to the left ventricular stroke volume; Aa/(Ea + Aa). These indices were evaluated periodically in 12 patients with non-valvular chronic atrial fibrillation before and 1-4 days after direct current cardioversion of atrial fibrillation; in 8 of the patients, the indices were also evaluated 1-3 months after the cardioversion. An additional 10 patients in sinus rhythm served as controls. Both the LASF and RASF were low during atrial fibrillation; the values increased significantly 14 days after successful cardioversion (P < 0.01 P < 0.01), and continued to increase at 1-3 months. The LASF and RASF values 1-3 months after cardioversion were comparable to those in control subjects. Both the LAACF and RAACF also increased significantly from 1-4 days to 1-3 months after cardioversion (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), becoming comparable to those in control subjects. During the 3 months after successful cardioversion of non-valvular chronic atrial fibrillation, left and right atrial reservoir function and left and right atrial active transport function increased progressively, becoming comparable to values in the control subjects.

Aged

Left ventricular geometry and function in adults with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve.

We postulated that the abnormal shape, size, and function of the right heart and adjoining ventricular septum in adults with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve might in turn alter the shape and function of the left ventricle. Seven adult patients with uncomplicated Ebstein's anomaly were studied. Left ventricular geometry was determined by two-dimensional echocardiography. Left ventricular function was assessed by treadmill exercise and radionuclide angiography at rest and with exercise. Paradoxic ventricular septal motion was consistently present. Left ventricular eccentricity (ratio of two minor axes in the short-axis view) was uniformly abnormal, averaging 1.35 +/- 0.23 (normal = 1.02 +/- 0.05). The ratio of right to left ventricular cavity size averaged 1.70 +/- 0.44 (normal 0.65 +/- 0.30), and tricuspid valve displacement into the right ventricular cavity averaged 52% (normal 8%). Functional right atrial size averaged 27.6 +/- 5.2 cm2 (normal right atrial area = 13.1 +/- 2.2 cm2). Resting left ventricular ejection fractions were below 50% in all but two patients. In response to Bruce protocol exercise stress, there were consistently appropriate increments in heart rate, blood pressure, and peak double product and, with one exception, radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction. There were significant correlations between tricuspid valve displacement and functional right atrial size versus resting left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular eccentricity. These data support the hypothesis that derangements in right heart morphology and function in Ebstein's anomaly contribute to significant alterations in left ventricular geometry, but the geometric alterations are associated with tangible but less significant changes in left ventricular systolic function.

Adolescent

Surgery for atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms of atrial fibrillation arc multiple reentry circuits spinning around the atrial surface, and these baffle any attempt to direct surgical interruption. The purpose of this article is to report the surgical experience in the treatment of isolated and concomitant atrial fibrillation at the Cardiac Surgical Institute of the University of Pavia. METHODS: In cases of atrial fibrillation secondary to mitral/valve disease, surgical isolation of the left atrium at the time of mitral valve surgery can prevent atrial fibrillation from involving the right atrium, which can exert its diastolic pump function on the right ventricle. Left atrial isolation was performed on 205 patients at the time of mitral valve surgery. Atrial partitioning ("maze operation") creates straight and blind atrial alleys so that non-recentry circuits can take place. Five patients underwent this procedure. In eight-cases of atrial fibrillation secondary to atrial septal defect, the adult patients with atrial septal defect and chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent surgical isolation of the right atrium associated which surgical correction of the defect, in order to let sinus rhythm govern the left atrium and the ventricles. "Lone" atrial fibrillation occurs in hearts with no detectable organic disease. Bi-atrial isolation with creation of an atrial septal internodal "corridor" was performed on 14 patients. RESULTS: In cases of atrial fibrillation secondary to mitral valve disease, left atrial isolation was performed on 205 patients at the time of mitral valve surgery with an overall sinus rhythm recovery of 44%. In the same period, sinus rhythm was recovered and persisted in only 19% of 252 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement along (P < 0.001). Sinus rhythm was less likely to recover in patients with right atriomegaly requiring tricuspid valve annuloplasty: 59% vs 84% (P < 0.001). Restoration of the right atrial function raised the cardiac index from 2.25 +/- 0.55 1/min per m2 during atrial fibrillation to 2.54 +/- 0.58 1/min per m2, with a mean percentage increase in cardiac index of 13.5% (P < 0.00018). Atrial partitioning ("maze operation") was performed on five patients with an immediate sinus rhythm recovery of 100%, but with two patients requiring pacemaker implant. Seven out of eight patients (87.5%), with atrial fibrillation secondary to atrial septal defect, who underwent surgical isolation of the right atrium at the time of surgery were free from atrial fibrillation and without medications. 2-52 months after operation. Thirteen of 14 patients with "lone" atrial fibrillation who underwent corridor procedure remained in sinus rhythm with a sinus rhythm recovery rate of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Different surgical options can be chosen for different cases of atrial fibrillation, according to the underlying cardiac disease.

Adult

Experimental evaluation of atrial function in right atrium--pulmonary artery conduit operation for tricuspid atresia.

Right ventricular bypass operations were performed in dogs by right atrium--pulmonary artery (RA-PA) conduits with closure of the tricuspid valve. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was induced in prebypass (control) and postbypass (postconduit) studies. Six dogs tolerated the procedure and had postoperative sinus rhythm (SR). In the postconduit studies, AF resulted in significant decline in both mean arterial pressure (73 +/- 2 to 65 +/- 2 mm Hg [mean +/- SEM], p less than 0.05) and pulmonary blood flow (1,050 +/- 160 to 880 +/- 110 ml/min, p less than 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the magnitude of these changes and those during control studies. Mean right atrial pressure was markedly elevated (17.3 +/- 1.3 mm Hg) during SR after the conduit operations, but it did not increase significantly with AF. In volume load studies, pulmonary blood flow increased in proportion to rises between 15 and 30 mm Hg in mean right atrial pressure. The results suggest that right atrial contraction is not critical to the maintenance of pulmonary blood flow following RA-PA conduit operations.

Animals

Assessment of superior vena caval blood flow velocity in ischemic heart disease.

In order to evaluate the right atrial function in patients with ischemic heart-disease, we studied the superior vena caval blood flow velocity using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The subjects included 31 patients with anteroseptal infarction (ANT), 23 with inferior or inferoposterior infarction (INF + POS), 27 with effort angina pectoris (EAP) and 15 with vasospastic angina pectoris (VAP). The systolic peak flow velocity (PFVs) was significantly reduced only in INF + POS compared with those in ANT, EAP and VAP (36.8 +/- 1.8 cm/sec vs 46.9 +/- 2.1 cm/sec, 46.4 +/- 2.1 cm/sec and 42.6 +/- 1.9 cm/sec, p less than 0.05, respectively). No significant difference in diastolic peak flow velocity (PFVd) was found between the 4 groups. PFVs/PFVd was significantly reduced only in INF + POS compared with those in ANT, EAP, and VAP (1.39 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.08, 1.76 +/- 0.09, and 1.62 +/- 0.09, p less than 0.05, respectively). These results suggested that INF + POS caused impairment of the right atrial reservoir function.

Analysis of Variance