Sample records for absolute myocardial blood

  1. Integration of Quantitative Positron Emission Tomography Absolute Myocardial Blood Flow Measurements in the Clinical Management of Coronary Artery Disease.

    PubMed

    Gewirtz, Henry; Dilsizian, Vasken

    2016-05-31

    In the >40 years since planar myocardial imaging with(43)K-potassium was introduced into clinical research and management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), diagnosis and treatment have undergone profound scientific and technological changes. One such innovation is the current state-of-the-art hardware and software for positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging, which has advanced it from a strictly research-oriented modality to a clinically valuable tool. This review traces the evolving role of quantitative positron emission tomography measurements of myocardial blood flow in the evaluation and management of patients with CAD. It presents methodology, currently or soon to be available, that offers a paradigm shift in CAD management. Heretofore, radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging has been primarily qualitative or at best semiquantitative in nature, assessing regional perfusion in relative terms. Thus, unlike so many facets of modern cardiovascular practice and CAD management, which depend, for example, on absolute values of key parameters such as arterial and left ventricular pressures, serum lipoprotein, and other biomarker levels, the absolute levels of rest and maximal myocardial blood flow have yet to be incorporated into routine clinical practice even in most positron emission tomography centers where the potential to do so exists. Accordingly, this review focuses on potential value added for improving clinical CAD practice by measuring the absolute level of rest and maximal myocardial blood flow. Physiological principles and imaging fundamentals necessary to understand how positron emission tomography makes robust, quantitative measurements of myocardial blood flow possible are highlighted. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  2. Roles of myocardial blood volume and flow in coronary artery disease: an experimental MRI study at rest and during hyperemia

    PubMed Central

    McCommis, Kyle S.; Goldstein, Thomas A.; Abendschein, Dana R.; Misselwitz, Bernd; Pilgram, Thomas; Gropler, Robert J.

    2010-01-01

    Objective To validate fast perfusion mapping techniques in a setting of coronary artery stenosis, and to further assess the relationship of absolute myocardial blood volume (MBV) and blood flow (MBF) to global myocardial oxygen demand. Methods A group of 27 mongrel dogs were divided into 10 controls and 17 with acute coronary stenosis. On 1.5-T MRI, first-pass perfusion imaging with a bolus injection of a blood-pool contrast agent was performed to determine myocardial perfusion both at rest and during either dipyridamole-induced vasodilation or dobutamine-induced stress. Regional values of MBF and MBV were quantified by using a fast mapping technique. Color microspheres and 99mTc-labeled red blood cells were injected to obtain respective gold standards. Results Microsphere-measured MBF and 99mTc-measured MBV reference values correlated well with the MR results. Given the same changes in MBF, changes in MBV are twofold greater with dobutamine than with dipyridamole. Under dobutamine stress, MBV shows better association with total myocardial oxygen demand than MBF. Coronary stenosis progressively reduced this association in the presence of increased stenosis severity. Conclusions MR first-pass perfusion can rapidly estimate regional MBF and MBV. Absolute quantification of MBV may add additional information on stenosis severity and myocardial viability compared with standard qualitative clinical evaluations of myocardial perfusion. PMID:20182731

  3. Early diagnosis of myocardial infarction using absolute and relative changes in cardiac troponin concentrations.

    PubMed

    Irfan, Affan; Reichlin, Tobias; Twerenbold, Raphael; Meister, Marc; Moehring, Berit; Wildi, Karin; Bassetti, Stefano; Zellweger, Christa; Gimenez, Maria Rubini; Hoeller, Rebeca; Murray, Karsten; Sou, Seoung Mann; Mueller, Mira; Mosimann, Tamina; Reiter, Miriam; Haaf, Philip; Ziller, Ronny; Freidank, Heike; Osswald, Stefan; Mueller, Christian

    2013-09-01

    Absolute changes in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) seem to have higher diagnostic accuracy in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction compared with relative changes. It is unknown whether the same applies to high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assays and whether the combination of absolute and relative change might further increase accuracy. In a prospective, international multicenter study, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) was measured with 3 novel assays (hs-cTnT, Roche Diagnostics Corp, Indianapolis, Ind; hs-cTnI, Beckman Coulter Inc, Brea, Calif; hs-cTnI, Siemens, Munich, Germany) in a blinded fashion at presentation and after 1 and 2 hours in a blinded fashion in 830 unselected patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction was significantly higher for 1- and 2-hour absolute versus relative hs-cTn changes for all 3 assays (P < .001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the combination of 2-hour absolute and relative change (hs-cTnT 0.98 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.97-0.99]; hs-cTnI, Beckman Coulter Inc, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.96-0.99]; hs-cTnI, Siemens, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.99]) were high and provided some benefit compared with the use of absolute change alone for hs-cTnT, but not for the hs-cTnI assays. Reclassification analysis confirmed the superiority of absolute changes versus relative changes. Absolute changes seem to be the preferred metrics for both hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The combination of absolute and relative changes provides a small added value for hs-cTnT, but not for hs-cTnI. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Reduced dose measurement of absolute myocardial blood flow using dynamic SPECT imaging in a porcine model

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Timmins, Rachel; Klein, Ran; Petryk, Julia

    Purpose: Absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements provide important additional information over traditional relative perfusion imaging. Recent advances in camera technology have made this possible with single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). Low dose protocols are desirable to reduce the patient radiation risk; however, increased noise may reduce the accuracy of MBF measurements. The authors studied the effect of reducing dose on the accuracy of dynamic SPECT MBF measurements. Methods: Nineteen 30–40 kg pigs were injected with 370 + 1110 MBq of Tc-99m sestamibi or tetrofosmin or 37 + 111 MBq of Tl-201 at rest + stress.more » Microspheres were injected simultaneously to measure MBF. The pigs were imaged in list-mode for 11 min starting at the time of injection using a Discovery NM 530c camera (GE Healthcare). Each list file was modified so that 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 of the original counts were included in the projections. Modified projections were reconstructed with CT-based attenuation correction and an energy window-based scatter correction and analyzed with FlowQuant kinetic modeling software using a 1-compartment model. A modified Renkin-Crone extraction function was used to convert the tracer uptake rate K1 to MBF values. The SPECT results were compared to those from microspheres. Results: Correlation between SPECT and microsphere MBF values for the full injected activity was r ≥ 0.75 for all 3 tracers and did not significantly degrade over all count levels. The mean MBF and MFR and the standard errors in the estimates were not significantly worse than the full-count data at 1/4-counts (Tc99m-tracers) and 1/2-counts (Tl-201). Conclusions: Dynamic SPECT measurement of MBF and MFR in pigs can be performed with 1/4 (Tc99m-tracers) or 1/2 (Tl-201) of the standard injected activity without significantly reducing accuracy and precision.« less

  5. Precision and accuracy of clinical quantification of myocardial blood flow by dynamic PET: A technical perspective.

    PubMed

    Moody, Jonathan B; Lee, Benjamin C; Corbett, James R; Ficaro, Edward P; Murthy, Venkatesh L

    2015-10-01

    A number of exciting advances in PET/CT technology and improvements in methodology have recently converged to enhance the feasibility of routine clinical quantification of myocardial blood flow and flow reserve. Recent promising clinical results are pointing toward an important role for myocardial blood flow in the care of patients. Absolute blood flow quantification can be a powerful clinical tool, but its utility will depend on maintaining precision and accuracy in the face of numerous potential sources of methodological errors. Here we review recent data and highlight the impact of PET instrumentation, image reconstruction, and quantification methods, and we emphasize (82)Rb cardiac PET which currently has the widest clinical application. It will be apparent that more data are needed, particularly in relation to newer PET technologies, as well as clinical standardization of PET protocols and methods. We provide recommendations for the methodological factors considered here. At present, myocardial flow reserve appears to be remarkably robust to various methodological errors; however, with greater attention to and more detailed understanding of these sources of error, the clinical benefits of stress-only blood flow measurement may eventually be more fully realized.

  6. Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade with timolol on myocardial blood flow during exercise after myocardial infarction in the dog.

    PubMed

    Herzog, C A; Aeppli, D P; Bache, R J

    1984-12-01

    The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade with timolol (40 micrograms/kg) on myocardial blood flow during rest and graded treadmill exercise was assessed in 12 chronically instrumented dogs 10 to 14 days after myocardial infarction was produced by acute left circumflex coronary artery occlusion. During exercise at comparable external work loads, the heart rate-systolic blood pressure product was significantly decreased after timilol, with concomitant reductions of myocardial blood flow in normal, border and central ischemic areas (p less than 0.001) and increases in subendocardial/subepicardial blood flow ratios (p less than 0.05). In addition to the blunted chronotropic response to exercise, timolol exerted an effect on myocardial blood flow that was not explained by changes in heart rate or blood pressure. At comparable rate-pressure products during exercise, total myocardial blood flow was 24% lower after timolol (p less than 0.02) and flow was redistributed from subepicardium to subendocardium in all myocardial regions. Thus, timolol altered myocardial blood flow during exercise by two separate mechanisms: a negative chronotropic effect, and a significant selective reduction of subepicardial perfusion independent of changes in heart rate or blood pressure with transmural redistribution of flow toward the subendocardium.

  7. Regional Myocardial Blood Volume and Flow: First-Pass MR Imaging with Polylysine-Gd-DTPA

    PubMed Central

    Wilke, Norbert; Kroll, Keith; Merkle, Hellmut; Wang, Ying; Ishibashi, Yukata; Xu, Ya; Zhang, Jiani; Jerosch-Herold, Michael; Mühler, Andreas; Stillman, Arthur E.; Bassingthwaighte, James B.; Bache, Robert; Ugurbil, Kamil

    2010-01-01

    The authors investigated the utility of an intravascular magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent, poly-L-lysine-gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), for differentiating acutely ischemic from normally perfused myocardium with first-pass MR imaging. Hypoperfused regions, identified with microspheres, on the first-pass images displayed significantly decreased signal intensities compared with normally perfused myocardium (P < .0007). Estimates of regional myocardial blood content, obtained by measuring the ratio of areas under the signal intensity-versus-time curves in tissue regions and the left ventricular chamber, averaged 0.12 mL/g ± 0.04 (n = 35), compared with a value of 0.11 mL/g ± 0.05 measured with radiolabeled albumin in the same tissue regions. To obtain MR estimates of regional myocardial blood flow, in situ calibration curves were used to transform first-pass intensity-time curves into content-time curves for analysis with a multiple-pathway, axially distributed model. Flow estimates, obtained by automated parameter optimization, averaged 1.2 mL/min/g ± 0.5 [n = 29), compared with 1.3 mL/min/g ± 0.3 obtained with tracer microspheres in the same tissue specimens at the same time. The results represent a combination of T1-weighted first-pass imaging, intravascular relaxation agents, and a spatially distributed perfusion model to obtain absolute regional myocardial blood flow and volume. PMID:7766986

  8. Measurement of myocardial blood flow by cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion: comparison of distributed parameter and Fermi models with single and dual bolus.

    PubMed

    Papanastasiou, Giorgos; Williams, Michelle C; Kershaw, Lucy E; Dweck, Marc R; Alam, Shirjel; Mirsadraee, Saeed; Connell, Martin; Gray, Calum; MacGillivray, Tom; Newby, David E; Semple, Scott Ik

    2015-02-17

    Mathematical modeling of cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion data allows absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow. Saturation of left ventricle signal during standard contrast administration can compromise the input function used when applying these models. This saturation effect is evident during application of standard Fermi models in single bolus perfusion data. Dual bolus injection protocols have been suggested to eliminate saturation but are much less practical in the clinical setting. The distributed parameter model can also be used for absolute quantification but has not been applied in patients with coronary artery disease. We assessed whether distributed parameter modeling might be less dependent on arterial input function saturation than Fermi modeling in healthy volunteers. We validated the accuracy of each model in detecting reduced myocardial blood flow in stenotic vessels versus gold-standard invasive methods. Eight healthy subjects were scanned using a dual bolus cardiac perfusion protocol at 3T. We performed both single and dual bolus analysis of these data using the distributed parameter and Fermi models. For the dual bolus analysis, a scaled pre-bolus arterial input function was used. In single bolus analysis, the arterial input function was extracted from the main bolus. We also performed analysis using both models of single bolus data obtained from five patients with coronary artery disease and findings were compared against independent invasive coronary angiography and fractional flow reserve. Statistical significance was defined as two-sided P value < 0.05. Fermi models overestimated myocardial blood flow in healthy volunteers due to arterial input function saturation in single bolus analysis compared to dual bolus analysis (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in these volunteers when applying distributed parameter-myocardial blood flow between single and dual bolus analysis. In patients, distributed parameter

  9. Evidence of Mobilization of Pluripotent Stem Cells into Peripheral Blood of Patients with Myocardial Ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Abdel-Latif, Ahmed; Zuba-Surma, Ewa K.; Ziada, Khaled M.; Kucia, Magdalena; Cohen, Donald A.; Kaplan, Alan M.; Zant, Gary Van; Selim, Samy; Smyth, Susan S.; Ratajczak, Mariusz Z.

    2010-01-01

    Objective The ischemic myocardium releases multiple chemotactic factors responsible for the mobilization and recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells to injured myocardium. However, the mobilization of primitive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) enriched in Very Small Embryonic-Like stem cells (VSELs) in various cardiac ischemic scenarios is not well understood. Methods Fifty four ischemic heart disease patients, including subjects with stable angina, non-ST elevation (NSTME) myocardial infarction (MI) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and twelve matched controls were enrolled. The absolute numbers of circulating stem/primitive cells in samples of peripheral blood (PB) were quantitated by Image Stream Analysis and conventional flow cytometry. Gene expression of PSC (Oct-4 and Nanog), early cardiomyocyte (Nkx-2.5 and GATA-4), and endothelial (vWF) markers was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results The absolute numbers of PSCs, stem cell populations enriched in VSELs and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) present in PB were significantly higher in STEMI patients at presentation and declined over time. There was a corresponding increase in pluripotent, cardiac and endothelial gene expression in unfractionated PB cells and sorted PB-derived primitive CD34+ cells. The absolute numbers of circulating VSELs and HSCs in STEMI correlated negatively with patients' age. Conclusions Myocardial ischemia mobilizes primitive PSCs including pluripotent VSELs into the circulation. The peak of mobilization occurs within 12 hours in patients presenting with STEMI, which may represent a therapeutic window for future clinical applications. Reduced stem cell mobilization with advancing age could explain, in part, the observation that age is associated with poor prognosis in patients with MI. PMID:20800644

  10. Absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow with 13N-ammonia and 3-dimensional PET.

    PubMed

    Schepis, Tiziano; Gaemperli, Oliver; Treyer, Valerie; Valenta, Ines; Burger, Cyrill; Koepfli, Pascal; Namdar, Mehdi; Adachi, Itaru; Alkadhi, Hatem; Kaufmann, Philipp A

    2007-11-01

    The aim of this study was to compare 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) dynamic PET for the absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) with (13)N-ammonia ((13)N-NH(3)). 2D and 3D MBF measurements were collected from 21 patients undergoing cardiac evaluation at rest (n = 14) and during standard adenosine stress (n = 7). A lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate-based PET/CT system with retractable septa, enabling the sequential acquisition of 2D and 3D images within the same patient and study, was used. All 2D studies were performed by injecting 700-900 MBq of (13)N-NH(3). For 14 patients, 3D studies were performed with the same injected (13)N-NH(3) dose as that used in 2D studies. For the remaining 7 patients, 3D images were acquired with a lower dose of (13)N-NH(3), that is, 500 MBq. 2D images reconstructed by use of filtered backprojection (FBP) provided the reference standard for MBF measurements. 3D images were reconstructed by use of Fourier rebinning (FORE) with FBP (FORE-FBP), FORE with ordered-subsets expectation maximization (FORE-OSEM), and a reprojection algorithm (RP). Global MBF measurements derived from 3D PET with FORE-FBP (r = 0.97), FORE-OSEM (r = 0.97), and RP (r = 0.97) were well correlated with those derived from 2D FBP (all Ps < 0.0001). The mean +/- SD differences in global MBF measurements between 3D FORE-FBP and 2D FBP and between 3D FORE-OSEM and 2D FBP were 0.01 +/- 0.14 and 0.01 +/- 0.15 mL/min/g, respectively. The mean +/- SD difference in global MBF measurements between 3D RP and 2D FBP was 0.00 +/- 0.16 mL/min/g. The best correlation between 2D PET and 3D PET performed with the lower injected activity was found for the 3D FORE-FBP reconstruction algorithm (r = 0.95, P < 0.001). For this scanner type, quantitative measurements of MBF with 3D PET and (13)N-NH(3) were in excellent agreement with those obtained with the 2D technique, even when a lower activity was injected.

  11. Myocardial perfusion imaging with PET

    PubMed Central

    Nakazato, Ryo; Berman, Daniel S; Alexanderson, Erick; Slomka, Piotr

    2013-01-01

    PET-myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) allows accurate measurement of myocardial perfusion, absolute myocardial blood flow and function at stress and rest in a single study session performed in approximately 30 min. Various PET tracers are available for MPI, and rubidium-82 or nitrogen-13-ammonia is most commonly used. In addition, a new fluorine-18-based PET-MPI tracer is currently being evaluated. Relative quantification of PET perfusion images shows very high diagnostic accuracy for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease. Dynamic myocardial blood flow analysis has demonstrated additional prognostic value beyond relative perfusion imaging. Patient radiation dose can be reduced and image quality can be improved with latest advances in PET/CT equipment. Simultaneous assessment of both anatomy and perfusion by hybrid PET/CT can result in improved diagnostic accuracy. Compared with SPECT-MPI, PET-MPI provides higher diagnostic accuracy, using lower radiation doses during a shorter examination time period for the detection of coronary artery disease. PMID:23671459

  12. VO(2peak), myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial blood flow in endurance-trained men.

    PubMed

    Laaksonen, Marko S; Heinonen, Ilkka; Luotolahti, Matti; Knuuti, Juhani; Kalliokoski, Kari K

    2014-08-01

    Endurance training induces cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations, leading to enhanced endurance capacity and exercise performance. Previous human studies have shown contradictory results in functional myocardial vascular adaptations to exercise training, and we hypothesized that this may be related to different degrees of hypertrophy in the trained heart. We studied the interrelationships between peak aerobic power (V˙O2peak), myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and during adenosine-induced vasodilation, and parameters of myocardial hypertrophy in endurance-trained (ET, n = 31) and untrained (n = 17) subjects. MBF and myocardial hypertrophy were studied using positron emission tomography and echocardiography, respectively. Both V˙O2peak (P < 0.001) and left ventricular (LV) mass index (P < 0.001) were higher in the ET group. Basal MBF was similar between the groups. MBF during adenosine was significantly lower in the ET group (2.88 ± 1.01 vs 3.64 ± 1.11 mL·g·min, P < 0.05) but not when the difference in LV mass was taken into account. V˙O2peak correlated negatively with adenosine-stimulated MBF, but when LV mass was taken into account as a partial correlate, this correlation disappeared. The present results show that increased LV mass in ET subjects explains the reduced hyperemic myocardial perfusion in this subject population and suggests that excessive LV hypertrophy has negative effect on cardiac blood flow capacity.

  13. SPECT Myocardial Blood Flow Quantitation Concludes Equivocal Myocardial Perfusion SPECT Studies to Increase Diagnostic Benefits.

    PubMed

    Chen, Lung-Ching; Lin, Chih-Yuan; Chen, Ing-Jou; Ku, Chi-Tai; Chen, Yen-Kung; Hsu, Bailing

    2016-01-01

    Recently, myocardial blood flow quantitation with dynamic SPECT/CT has been reported to enhance the detection of coronary artery disease in human. This advance has created important clinical applications to coronary artery disease diagnosis and management for areas where myocardial perfusion PET tracers are not available. We present 2 clinical cases that undergone a combined test of 1-day rest/dipyridamole-stress dynamic SPECT and ECG-gated myocardial perfusion SPECT scans using an integrated imaging protocol and demonstrate that flow parameters are capable to conclude equivocal myocardial perfusion SPECT studies, therefore increasing diagnostic benefits to add value in making clinical decisions.

  14. Patient-specific coronary artery blood flow simulation using myocardial volume partitioning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Kyung Hwan; Kang, Dongwoo; Kang, Nahyup; Kim, Ji-Yeon; Lee, Hyong-Euk; Kim, James D. K.

    2013-03-01

    Using computational simulation, we can analyze cardiovascular disease in non-invasive and quantitative manners. More specifically, computational modeling and simulation technology has enabled us to analyze functional aspect such as blood flow, as well as anatomical aspect such as stenosis, from medical images without invasive measurements. Note that the simplest ways to perform blood flow simulation is to apply patient-specific coronary anatomy with other average-valued properties; in this case, however, such conditions cannot fully reflect accurate physiological properties of patients. To resolve this limitation, we present a new patient-specific coronary blood flow simulation method by myocardial volume partitioning considering artery/myocardium structural correspondence. We focus on that blood supply is closely related to the mass of each myocardial segment corresponding to the artery. Therefore, we applied this concept for setting-up simulation conditions in the way to consider many patient-specific features as possible from medical image: First, we segmented coronary arteries and myocardium separately from cardiac CT; then the myocardium is partitioned into multiple regions based on coronary vasculature. The myocardial mass and required blood mass for each artery are estimated by converting myocardial volume fraction. Finally, the required blood mass is used as boundary conditions for each artery outlet, with given average aortic blood flow rate and pressure. To show effectiveness of the proposed method, fractional flow reserve (FFR) by simulation using CT image has been compared with invasive FFR measurement of real patient data, and as a result, 77% of accuracy has been obtained.

  15. Myocardial Blood Flow and Inflammatory Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

    PubMed

    Kruse, Matthew J; Kovell, Lara; Kasper, Edward K; Pomper, Martin G; Moller, David R; Solnes, Lilja; Chen, Edward S; Schindler, Thomas H

    2017-02-01

    This study sought to evaluate the effects of inflammatory sarcoid disease on coronary circulatory function and the response to immune-suppressive treatment. Although positron emission tomography assessment of myocardial inflammation is increasingly applied to identify active cardiac sarcoidosis, its effect on coronary flow and immune-suppressive treatment remains to be characterized. Thirty-two individuals, who were referred for positron emission tomography/computed tomography, were evaluated for known or suspected cardiac sarcoidosis applying 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose to determine inflammation and 13 N-ammonia to assess for perfusion deficits following a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet and fasting state >12 h to suppress myocardial glucose uptake. Inflammation was quantified with standardized uptake value and regional myocardial blood flow at rest and during regadenoson-stimulated hyperemia was determined in ml/g/min. Positron emission tomography studies were repeated in 18 cases with a median follow-up of 2.5 years (interquartile range [IQR]:1.3 to 3.4 years). Twenty-five exams had normal perfusion but evidence of regional inflammation (group 1), and 21 exams presented a regional perfusion deficit associated with inflammation (group 2). Median myocardial blood flow did not differ between inflamed and noninflamed myocardium in both groups (0.86 ml/g/min [IQR: 0.66 to 1.11 ml/g/min] vs. 0.83 ml/g/min [IQR: 0.64 to 1.12 ml/g/min] and 0.74 ml/g/min [IQR: 0.60 to 0.93 ml/g/min] vs. 0.77 ml/g/min [IQR: 0.59 to 0.95 ml/g/min], respectively). As regards median hyperemic myocardial blood flows, they were significantly lower in the inflamed than in the remote regions in group 1 and 2 (2.31 ml/g/min [IQR: 1.81 to 2.95 ml/g/min] vs. 2.70 ml/g/min [IQR: 2.07 to 3.30 ml/g/min] and 1.61 ml/g/min [IQR: 1.17 to 2.18 ml/g/min] vs. 1.94 ml/g/min [IQR: 1.49 to 2.39 ml/g/min]; p < 0.001, respectively). Immune-suppression-mediated decrease in inflammation was associated with

  16. Myocardial Blood Volume Is Associated with Myocardial Oxygen Consumption: An Experimental Study with CMR in a Canine Model

    PubMed Central

    McCommis, Kyle S.; Zhang, Haosen; Goldstein, Thomas A.; Misselwitz, Bernd; Abendschein, Dana R.; Gropler, Robert J.; Zheng, Jie

    2009-01-01

    OBJECTIVES To evaluate the feasibility of cardiovascular MR (CMR) to determine regional myocardial perfusion and O2 metabolism, and assess the role of myocardial blood volume (MBV) on oxygen supply. BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease presents as an imbalance of myocardial oxygen supply and demand. We have developed relevant CMR methods to determine the relationship of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MBV to oxygen consumption (MVO2) during pharmacologic hyperemia. METHODS Twenty-one mongrel dogs were studied with varying stenosis severities imposed on the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. MBF and MBV were determined by CMR first-pass perfusion, while the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and MVO2 were determined by the myocardial Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) effect and Fick’s law, respectively. MR imaging was performed at rest, and during either dipyridamole-induced vasodilation or dobutamine-induced hyperemia. Regional differences in myocardial perfusion and oxygenation were then evaluated. RESULTS Dipyridamole and dobutamine both led to 145–200% increases in MBF and 50–80% increases in MBV in normal perfused myocardium. As expected, MVO2 increased more significantly with dobutamine (~175%) than dipyridamole (~40%). Coronary stenosis resulted in an attenuation of MBF, MBV, and MVO2 in both the LAD-subtended stenosis region and the left circumflex subtended remote region. Liner regression analysis showed that MBV reserve appears to be more correlated with MVO2 reserve during dobutamine stress than MBF reserve, particularly in the stenotic regions. Conversely, MBF reserve appears to be more correlated with MVO2 reserve during dipyridamole, although neither of these differences was significant. CONCLUSIONS Noninvasive evaluation of both myocardial perfusion and oxygenation by CMR facilitates direct monitoring of regional myocardial ischemia and provides a valuable tool for better understanding microvascular pathophysiology. These

  17. The effects of hypoxemia on myocardial blood flow during exercise.

    PubMed

    Paridon, S M; Bricker, J T; Dreyer, W J; Reardon, M; Smith, E O; Porter, C B; Michael, L; Fisher, D J

    1989-03-01

    We evaluated the adequacy of regional and transmural blood flow during exercise and rapid pacing after 1 wk of hypoxemia. Seven mature mongrel dogs were made hypoxemic (mean O2 saturation = 72.4%) by anastomosis of left pulmonary artery to left atrial appendage. Catheters were placed in the left atrium, right atrium, pulmonary artery, and aorta. Atrial and ventricular pacing wires were placed. An aortic flow probe was placed to measure cardiac output. Ten nonshunted dogs, similarly instrumented, served as controls. Recovery time was approximately 1 wk. Cardiac output, mean aortic pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured at rest, with ventricular pacing, atrial pacing, and with treadmill exercise. Ventricular and atrial pace and exercise were at a heart rate of 200. Right ventricular free wall, left ventricular free wall, and septal blood flow were measured with radionuclide-labeled microspheres. Cardiac output, left atrial blood pressure, and aortic blood pressure were similar between the two groups of dogs in all testing states. Myocardial blood flow was significantly higher in the right and left ventricular free wall in the hypoxemic animals during resting and exercise testing states. Myocardial oxygen delivery was similar between the two groups of animals. Pacing resulted in an increase in myocardial blood flow in the control animals but not the hypoxemic animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  18. Comparison between the summed difference score and myocardial blood flow measured by 13N-ammonia.

    PubMed

    Giubbini, Raffaele; Peli, Alessia; Milan, Elisa; Sciagrà, Roberto; Camoni, Luca; Albano, Domenico; Bertoli, Mattia; Bonacina, Mattia; Motta, Federica; Statuto, Massimo; Rodella, Carlo Alberto; De Agostini, Antonio; Calabretta, Raffaella; Bertagna, Francesco

    2017-02-03

    Both the myocardial perfusion pattern and myocardial blood flow (MBF) are used to assess patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to compare the perfusion pattern (using the summed difference score [SDS]) to MBF in a consecutive group of patients undergoing PET/CT with 13 N-ammonia ( 13 NH 3 ). 47 consecutive patients, aged 65 ± 12 years (42 men) with known or suspected CAD, underwent vasodilator stress/rest PET/CT with 13 NH 3 for clinical indications. The SDS was determined by a commercially available software based on a 17-segment model. MBF was measured at rest and during hyperemia by dynamic acquisition and single-compartment model analysis. From the rest and stress MBF, the absolute difference (stress-rest) in myocardial blood flow defined as difference in myocardial blood flow (DMBF) was derived. There were no significant differences between patients with no ischemia (SDS ≤ 1) and those with ischemia (SDS > 1) in CFR (2.84 ± 0.73 vs 2.63 ± 0.89, P = NS) and DMBF (1.34 ± 0.45 vs 1.24 ± 0.53 mL·minute -1 ·g -1 , P = NS). There were however significant regional differences (141 different vascular territories in 47 patients) between these two groups (CFR: 2.84 ± 0.95 vs 2.16 ± 0.57, P < .001 and DMBF: 1.39 ± 0.6 vs 0.87 ± 0.39, P < .0001). The correlation between regional CFR and regional DMBF with SDS was significant (y = 2.7145e -0.059x R = 0.358 and y = 1.2769e -0.119x R = 0.44) CONCLUSION: The SDS is the difference between two measurements (stress-rest) and it correlates better with regional DMBF, which is another measurement that reflects the difference between stress and rest. The correlation is better on regional than global basis.

  19. Myocardial Blood Flow Distribution during Ischemia-Induced Coronary Vasodilation in the Unanesthetized Dog

    PubMed Central

    Bache, Robert J.; Cobb, Frederick R.; Greenfield, Joseph C.

    1974-01-01

    This study was designed to determine whether coronary vasodilation distal to a flow-limiting coronary artery stenosis could result in redistribution of myocardial blood flow to produce subendocardial underperfusion. Studies were performed in 10 awake dogs chronically prepared with electromagnetic flow-meters and hydraulic occluders on the left circumflex coronary artery. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured using radionuclide-labeled microspheres, 7-10 μm in diameter, injected into the left atrium. A 5-s coronary artery occlusion was followed by reactive hyperemia with excess inflow of arterial blood effecting 375±20% repayment of the blood flow debt incurred during occlusion. When, after a 5-s occlusion, the occluder was only partially released to hold arterial inflow to the preocclusion level for 20 s before complete release, the delayed reactive hyperemia was augmented (mean blood flow repayment = 610±45%, P < 0.01). This augmentation of the reactive hyperemia suggested that ischemia was continuing during the interval of coronary vasodilation when coronary inflow was at the preocclusion level. Measurements of regional myocardial blood flow demonstrated that endocardial flow slightly exceeded epicardial flow during control conditions. When arterial inflow was limited to the preocclusion rate during vasodilation after a 5-s total coronary artery occlusion, however, flow to the subepicardial myocardium was increased at the expense of underperfusion of the subendocardial myocardium. Thus, in the presence of a flow-limiting proximal coronary artery stenosis, ischemia-induced coronary vasodilation resulted in redistribution of myocardial blood flow with production of subendocardial ischemia in the presence of a net volume of arterial inflow which, if properly distributed, would have been adequate to prevent myocardial ischemia. Images PMID:4279928

  20. Wide-field absolute transverse blood flow velocity mapping in vessel centerline

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Nanshou; Wang, Lei; Zhu, Bifeng; Guan, Caizhong; Wang, Mingyi; Han, Dingan; Tan, Haishu; Zeng, Yaguang

    2018-02-01

    We propose a wide-field absolute transverse blood flow velocity measurement method in vessel centerline based on absorption intensity fluctuation modulation effect. The difference between the light absorption capacities of red blood cells and background tissue under low-coherence illumination is utilized to realize the instantaneous and average wide-field optical angiography images. The absolute fuzzy connection algorithm is used for vessel centerline extraction from the average wide-field optical angiography. The absolute transverse velocity in the vessel centerline is then measured by a cross-correlation analysis according to instantaneous modulation depth signal. The proposed method promises to contribute to the treatment of diseases, such as those related to anemia or thrombosis.

  1. Effects of graded doses of epinephrine on regional myocardial blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in swine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brown, C.G.; Werman, H.A.; Davis, E.A.

    1987-02-01

    Although epinephrine has been shown to improve myocardial blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the effects of standard as well as larger doses of epinephrine on regional myocardial blood flow have not been examined. In this study we compared the effects of various doses of epinephrine on regional myocardial blood flow after a 10 min arrest in a swine preparation. Fifteen swine weighing greater than 15 kg each were instrumented for regional myocardial blood flow measurements with tracer microspheres. Regional blood flow was measured during normal sinus rhythm. After 10 min of ventricular fibrillation, CPR was begun and regional myocardialmore » blood flow was determined. Animals were then randomly assigned to receive 0.02, 0.2, or 2.0 mg/kg epinephrine by peripheral injection. One minute after drug administration, regional myocardial blood flow measurements were repeated. The adjusted regional myocardial blood flows (ml/min/100 g) for animals given 0.02, 0.2, and 2.0 mg/kg epinephrine, respectively, were as follows: left atrium, 0.9, 67.4, and 58.8; right atrium, 0.3, 46.2, and 38.5; right ventricle, 0.7, 82.3, and 66.9; right interventricular septum, 1.7, 125.5, and 99.1; left interventricular septum, 2.8, 182.8, 109.5; mesointerventricular septum, 16.8, 142.2, and 79.2; left ventricular epicardium, 19.2, 98.5 and 108.7; left ventricular mesocardium, 22.8, 135.0, and 115.8; and left ventricular endocardium, 2.5, 176.1, and 132.9). All comparisons between the groups receiving 0.02 and 0.2 mg/kg epinephrine were statistically significant (p less than .05).« less

  2. [Effect of caffeine on myocardial blood flow during pharmacological vasodilation].

    PubMed

    Wielepp, J P; Fricke, E; Horstkotte, D; Burchert, W

    2005-02-01

    Pharmacologic stress with adenosine is frequently used for noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease. Dietary intake of caffeinated food, beverages or medications might alter adenosine-induced hyperemic blood flow, thereby compromising the diagnostic sensitivity of adenosine stress testing. In this case we report on a male patient with CAD. Myocardial blood flow at rest and during adenosine-induced hyperemia 2 hours after consumption of decaffeinated coffee and again without caffeine intake were quantified by ammonia PET. After caffeine intake there was a clearly diminished increase of myocardial blood flow during adenosine. The average coronary flow reserve in the myocardium was 1.3 after caffeine. In the baseline study without caffeine the coronary flow reserve has been improved to 2.3. Caffeine intake alters the coronary vasodilatory capacity. These findings emphasize the importance of carefully screening patients for intake of caffeinated food prior to adenosine stress testing.

  3. Iodophenylpentadecanoic acid-myocardial blood flow relationship during maximal exercise with coronary occlusion.

    PubMed

    Caldwell, J H; Martin, G V; Link, J M; Krohn, K A; Bassingthwaighte, J B

    1990-01-01

    Imaging 123I-labeled iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (IPPA) uptake and clearance from the myocardium following exercise has been advocated as a means of detecting myocardial ischemia because fatty acid deposition is enhanced and clearance prolonged in regions of low flow. However, normal regional myocardial blood flows are markedly heterogeneous, and it is not known how this heterogeneity affects regional metabolism or substrate uptake and thus image interpretation. In five instrumented dogs running at near maximal workload on a treadmill, 131I-labeled IPPA and 15-micron 46Sc microspheres were injected into the left atrium after 30 sec of circumflex coronary artery occlusion. Microsphere and IPPA activity were determined in 250 mapped pieces of myocardium of approximately 400 mg. Myocardial blood flows (from microspheres) ranged from 0.05 to 7.6 ml/min/g. Deposition of IPPA was proportional to regional flows (r = 0.83) with an average retention of 25%. The mean endocardial-epicardial ratio for IPPA (0.90 +/- 0.43) was similar to that for microspheres (0.94 +/- 0.47; p = 0.08). Thus, initial IPPA deposition during treadmill exercise increases in proportion to regional myocardial blood flow over a range of flows from very low to five times normal.

  4. Comparison of the myocardial blood flow response to regadenoson and dipyridamole: a quantitative analysis in patients referred for clinical 82Rb myocardial perfusion PET.

    PubMed

    Goudarzi, Behnaz; Fukushima, Kenji; Bravo, Paco; Merrill, Jennifer; Bengel, Frank M

    2011-10-01

    Regadenoson is a novel selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist, which is administered as an intravenous bolus at a fixed dose. It is currently not clear if the absolute flow increase in response to this fixed dose is a function of distribution volume in individual patients or if it is generally comparable to the previous standard agents dipyridamole or adenosine, which are dosed based on weight. We used quantitative analysis of clinical 82Rb PET/CT studies to obtain further insights. A total of 104 subjects with normal clinical rest/stress 82Rb perfusion PET/CT were included in a retrospective analysis. To rule out confounding factors, none had evidence of prior cardiac disease, ischaemia or infarction, cardiomyopathy, diabetes with insulin use, calcium score>400, renal disease or other significant systemic disease. A group of 52 patients stressed with regadenoson were compared with a group of 52 patients stressed with dipyridamole before regadenoson became available. The groups were matched for clinical characteristics, risk factors and baseline haemodynamics. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were quantified using a previously validated retention model, after resampling of dynamic studies from list-mode 82Rb datasets. At rest, heart rate, blood pressure and MBF were comparable between the groups. Regadenoson resulted in a significantly higher heart rate (34±14 vs. 23±10 beats per minute increase from baseline; p<0.01) and rate-pressure product. Patients in the regadenoson group reported less severe symptoms and required less aminophylline. Stress MBF and MFR were not different between the groups (2.2±0.6 vs. 2.1±0.6 ml/min/g, p=0.39, and 2.9±0.8 vs. 2.8±0.7, p=0.31, respectively). In the regadenoson group, there was no correlation between stress flow or MFR and body weight or BMI. Despite its administration at a fixed dose, regadenoson results in an absolute increase in MBF which is comparable to that following dipyridamole

  5. Volumetric vessel reconstruction method for absolute blood flow velocity measurement in Doppler OCT images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qi, Li; Zhu, Jiang; Hancock, Aneeka M.; Dai, Cuixia; Zhang, Xuping; Frostig, Ron D.; Chen, Zhongping

    2017-02-01

    Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) is considered one of the most promising functional imaging modalities for neuro biology research and has demonstrated the ability to quantify cerebral blood flow velocity at a high accuracy. However, the measurement of total absolute blood flow velocity (BFV) of major cerebral arteries is still a difficult problem since it not only relates to the properties of the laser and the scattering particles, but also relates to the geometry of both directions of the laser beam and the flow. In this paper, focusing on the analysis of cerebral hemodynamics, we presents a method to quantify the total absolute blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery (MCA) based on volumetric vessel reconstruction from pure DOCT images. A modified region growing segmentation method is first used to localize the MCA on successive DOCT B-scan images. Vessel skeletonization, followed by an averaging gradient angle calculation method, is then carried out to obtain Doppler angles along the entire MCA. Once the Doppler angles are determined, the absolute blood flow velocity of each position on the MCA is easily found. Given a seed point position on the MCA, our approach could achieve automatic quantification of the fully distributed absolute BFV. Based on experiments conducted using a swept-source optical coherence tomography system, our approach could achieve automatic quantification of the fully distributed absolute BFV across different vessel branches in the rodent brain.

  6. Reduction of myocardial blood flow reserve in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy without overt heart failure and its relation with functional indices: an echo-Doppler and positron emission tomography study.

    PubMed

    Morales, Maria-Aurora; Neglia, Danilo; L'Abbate, Antonio

    2008-08-01

    Myocardial blood flow during pharmacological vasodilatation is depressed in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy even the in absence of overt heart failure; the extent of myocardial blood flow abnormalities is not predictable by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and diastolic dimensions. To assess whether myocardial blood flow impairment in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy without overt heart failure can be related to Doppler-derived dP/dt and to echocardiographically determined left ventricular end systolic stress - which is linked to myocardial blood flow reserve in advanced disease. Twenty-six patients, New York Heart Association Class I-II, (LVEF 37.4 +/- 1.4%, left ventricular diastolic dimensions 62.6 +/- 0.9 mm) underwent resting/dipyridamole [13N]NH3 flow positron emission tomography and an ultrasonic study. Regional myocardial blood flow values (ml/min per g) were computed from positron emission tomography data in 13 left ventricular (LV) myocardial regions and averaged to provide mean myocardial blood flow and myocardial blood flow reserve, defined as dipyridamole/resting mean myocardial blood flow ratio. Resting myocardial blood flow was 0.686 +/- 0.045, dipyridamole myocardial blood flow 1.39 +/- 0.15 and myocardial blood flow reserve 2.12 +/- 0.2, lower than in controls (P < 0.01). The ratio dP/dt was directly related to dipyridamole myocardial blood flow and myocardial blood flow reserve (r = 0.552 and 0.703, P < 0.005 and P < 0.0001); no relation was found between myocardial blood flow and LVEF left ventricular diastolic dimensions, and left ventricular end systolic stress. In idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients without overt heart failure, the extent of myocardial blood flow reserve impairment is related to dP/dt but not to more classical indices of left ventricular function.

  7. Relationship between regional myocardial blood flow and thallium-201 distribution in the presence of coronary artery stenosis and dipyridamole-induced vasodilation.

    PubMed Central

    Mays, A E; Cobb, F R

    1984-01-01

    This study assesses the relationship between the distribution of thallium-201 and myocardial blood flow during coronary vasodilation induced by intravenous dipyridamole in canine models of partial and complete coronary artery stenosis. 10 dogs were chronically instrumented with catheters in the left atrium and aorta and with a balloon occluder and electromagnetic flow probe on the proximal left circumflex coronary artery. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured during control conditions with radioisotope-labeled microspheres, and the phasic reactive hyperemic response to a 20-s transient occlusion was then recorded. Dipyridamole was then infused intravenously until phasic coronary blood flow increased to match peak hyperemic values. The left circumflex coronary artery was either partially occluded to reduce phasic blood flow to control values (group 1) or it was completely occluded (group 2), and thallium-201 and a second microsphere label were injected. 5 min later, the animals were sacrificed, the left ventricle was sectioned into 1-2-g samples, and thallium-201 activity and regional myocardial blood flow were measured. Curvilinear regression analyses between thallium-201 localization and myocardial blood flow during dipyridamole infusion demonstrated a slightly better fit to a second- as compared with a first-order model, indicating a slight roll-off of thallium activity as myocardial blood flow increases. During the dipyridamole infusion, the increases in phasic blood flow, the distributions of regional myocardial blood flow, and the relationships between thallium-201 localization and regional blood flow were comparable to values previously observed in exercising dogs with similar occlusions. These data provide basic validation that supports the use of intravenous dipyridamole and thallium-201 as an alternative to exercise stress and thallium-201 for evaluating the effects of coronary occlusive lesions on the distribution of regional myocardial blood flow

  8. Correlation of ABO blood groups with spontaneous recanalization in acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Lin, Xian-Liang; Zhou, Bing-Yang; Li, Sha; Li, Xiao-Lin; Luo, Zhu-Rong; Li, Jian-Jun

    2017-08-01

    Although previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between ABO blood groups and cardiovascular disease, the association of ABO blood type with spontaneous recanalization (SR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been previously investigated. We performed an initial exploratory study on the association of ABO blood groups with the presence of SR in 1209 patients with AMI. They were divided into two groups according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades: no-SR group (TIMI 0-1, n = 442) and SR group (TIMI 2-3, n = 767). To confirm our primary findings, data from a second AMI population (n = 200) was analyzed. In the initial data, SR group had a significantly higher percentage of blood type O and a lower percentage of blood type A compared to the no-SR group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that blood type O was positively associated with SR (odds ratio: 1.40, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.87, p = .02), and this finding was confirmed in our second population. The present study demonstrates that blood type O was independently and positively associated with an open culprit artery in patients with AMI, suggesting that the ABO blood type is not only associated with the susceptibility to coronary artery disease but also to spontaneous reperfusion in AMI patients.

  9. Neuromodulation therapy does not influence blood flow distribution or left-ventricular dynamics during acute myocardial ischemia.

    PubMed

    Kingma, J G; Linderoth, B; Ardell, J L; Armour, J A; DeJongste, M J; Foreman, R D

    2001-08-13

    Electrical stimulation of the dorsal aspect of the upper thoracic spinal cord is used increasingly to treat patients with angina pectoris refractory to conventional therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in dogs affects regional myocardial blood flow and left-ventricular (LV) function before and during transient obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). In anesthetized dogs, regional myocardial blood flow distribution was determined using radiolabeled microspheres and left-ventricular function was measured by impedance-derived pressure-volume loops. SCS was accomplished by stimulating the dorsal T1-T2 segments of the spinal cord using epidural bipolar electrodes at 90% of motor threshold (MT) (50 Hz, 0.2-ms duration). Effects of 5-min SCS were assessed under basal conditions and during 4-min occlusion of the LAD. SCS alone evoked no change in regional myocardial blood flow or cardiovascular indices. Transient LAD occlusion significantly diminished blood flow within ischemic, but not in non-ischemic myocardial tissue. Left ventricular pressure-volume loops were shifted rightward during LAD occlusion. Cardiac indices were altered similarly during LAD occlusion and concurrent SCS. SCS does not influence the distribution of blood flow within the non-ischemic or ischemic myocardium. Nor does it modify LV pressure-volume dynamics in the anesthetized experimental preparation.

  10. Use of blood-pool imaging in evaluation of diffuse activity patterns in technetium-99m pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy.

    PubMed

    Cowley, M J; Mantle, J A; Rogers, W J; Russell, R O; Rackley, C E; Logic, J R

    1979-06-01

    It has been suggested that diffuse Tc-99m pyrophosphate precordial activity may be due to persistent blood-pool activity in routine delayed views during myocardial imaging. To answer this question, we reviewed myocardial scintigrams recorded 60--90 min following the injection of 12--15 mCi of Tc-99m pyrophosphate for the presence of diffuse precordial activity, and compared these with early images of the blood pool in 265 patients. Diffuse activity in the delayed images was identified in 48 patients: in 20 with acute myocardial infarction and in 28 with no evidence of it. Comparison of these routine delayed images with early views of the blood pool revealed two types of patterns. In patients with acute infarction, 95% had delayed images that were distinguishable from blood pool either because the activity was smaller than the early blood pool, or by the presence of localized activity superimposed on diffuse activity identical to blood pool. In those without infarction, 93% had activity distribution in routine delayed views matching that in the early blood-pool images. The usefulness of the diffuse TcPPi precordial activity in myocardial infarction is improved when early blood-pool imaging is used to exclude persistence of blood-pool activity as its cause. Moreover, it does not require additional amounts of radioactivity nor complex computer processing, a feature that may be of value in the community hospital using the technique to "rule out" infarction 24--72 hr after onset of suggestive symptoms.

  11. The effects of compound danshen dripping pills and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplant after acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Jun, Yi; Chunju, Yuan; Qi, Ai; Liuxia, Deng; Guolong, Yu

    2014-04-01

    The low frequency of survival of stem cells implanted in the myocardium after acute myocardial infarction may be caused by inflammation and oxidative stress in the myocardial microenvironment. We evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Compound Danshen Dripping Pills, on the cardiac microenvironment and cardiac function when used alone or in combination with human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplant after acute myocardial infarction. After surgically induced acute myocardial infarction, rabbits were treated with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills alone or in combination with human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplant. Evaluation included histology, measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening, leukocyte count, count of green fluorescent protein positive cells, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde content. Combination treatment with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplant significantly increased the survival of implanted cells, inhibited cardiac cell apoptosis, decreased oxidative stress, decreased the inflammatory response, and improved cardiac function. Rabbits treated with either Compound Danshen Dripping Pills or human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells alone had improvement in these effects compared with untreated control rabbits. Combination therapy with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells may improve cardiac function and morphology after acute myocardial infarction.

  12. Noninvasive quantification of myocardial blood flow in humans. A direct comparison of the [13N]ammonia and the [15O]water techniques.

    PubMed

    Nitzsche, E U; Choi, Y; Czernin, J; Hoh, C K; Huang, S C; Schelbert, H R

    1996-06-01

    [13N]Ammonia has been validated in dog studies as a myocardial blood flow tracer. Estimates of myocardial blood flow by [13N]ammonia were highly linearly correlated to those by the microsphere and blood sample techniques. However, estimates of myocardial blood flow with [13N]ammonia in humans have not yet been compared with those by an independent technique. This study therefore tested the hypothesis that the [13N]ammonia positron emission tomographic technique in humans gives estimates of myocardial blood flow comparable to those obtained with the [15O]water technique. A total of 30 pairs of positron emission tomographic flow measurements were performed in 30 healthy volunteers; 15 volunteers were studied at rest and 15 during adenosine-induced hypermia. Estimates of average and of regional myocardial blood flow by the [13N]ammonia and the [15O]water approaches correlated well (y = 0.02 + 1.02x, r = .99, P < .001 SEE = 0.023 for average and y = 0.06 + 1.00x, r = .97, P < .001, SEE = 0.025 for regional values) over a flow range of 0.45 to 4.74 mL.min-1.g-1. At rest, mean myocardial blood flow was 0.64 +/- 0.09 mL.min-1.g-1 for [13N]ammonia and 0.66 +/- 0.12 mL.min-1.g-1 for [15O]water (P = NS). For adenosine-induced hyperemia, mean myocardial blood flow was 2.63 +/- 0.75 mL.min-1.g-1 for [13N]ammonia and 2.73 +/- 0.77 mL.min-1.g-1 for [15O]water (P = NS). The coefficient of variation as an index of the observed heterogeneity of myocardial blood flow averaged, for [13N]ammonia, 9 +/- 4% at rest and 12 +/- 7% during stress and, for [15O]water, 14 +/- 11% at rest and 16 +/- 9% during stress. The coefficients of variation for [15O]water were significantly higher than those for [13N]ammonia (P = .004 at rest and P = .03 during stress). The two approaches yield comparable estimates of myocardial blood flow in humans, which supports the validity of the [13N]ammonia method in human myocardium previously shown only in animals. However, the [15O]water approach reveals a

  13. Detection of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells in peripheral blood of patients following acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Abdallah, Khaled Omar; Saleh, Rasha Mamdouh; Al-Shawarby, Laila Abd Al-Aala; Amer, Hanaa Ahmed; Mostafa, Sara

    2014-01-01

    Bone marrow harbors a population of tissue-committed stem cells that are CD34+/CXCR4+. These potential cardiac progenitors which express cardiac and endothelial markers may contribute to cardiac regeneration. The ability of injured myocardium to recruit extracardiac stem cells after injury would be beneficial to aid in myocardial repair and regeneration. The aim of this study was to answer the question whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related stress may trigger the increase of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells number in peripheral blood in response to myocardial ischemic injury which might be accompanied with increased release of this population of stem cells in peripheral blood as well as to correlate this phenomenon with other clinical and laboratory parameters such as diabetes, chest pain, smoking, streptokinase administration and elevated cardiac enzymes. The study was conducted on 25 newly diagnosed AMI patients who attended the emergency department of National Heart Institute. They were compared to a control group of 25 apparently healthy sex and age matched individuals. The percentage of CD34+ cells as well as percentage of cells coexpressing CD34/CXCR4+ and their expression intensity were assessed by Flowcytometery. These parameters were correlated to other laboratory and clinical data. The absolute CD34+ as well as the CD34/CXCR4+ cell counts were significantly higher in patients upon admission in comparison to control group (P < 0.01). While CD34 expression was significantly higher in patients compared to control group, CXCR4 expression on CD34+ cells was significantly lower in patients than control group (P < 0.05). Diabetes, duration of chest pain and streptokinase administration had no significant effect on CD34/CXCR4+ number or the expression intensity of both markers (p > 0.05). Otherwise, CXCR4 intensity was lower in non-smoker than smoker patients (P < 0.05). Patients admitted with normal cardiac enzymes, including Creatine Kinase (CK) and Creatine

  14. Effect of cold air inhalation and isometric exercise on coronary blood flow and myocardial function in humans

    PubMed Central

    Muller, Matthew D.; Gao, Zhaohui; Drew, Rachel C.; Herr, Michael D.; Leuenberger, Urs A.

    2011-01-01

    The effects of cold air inhalation and isometric exercise on coronary blood flow are currently unknown, despite the fact that both cold air and acute exertion trigger angina in clinical populations. In this study, we used transthoracic Doppler echocardiography to measure coronary blood flow velocity (CBV; left anterior descending coronary artery) and myocardial function during cold air inhalation and handgrip exercise. Ten young healthy subjects underwent the following protocols: 5 min of inhaling cold air (cold air protocol), 5 min of inhaling thermoneutral air (sham protocol), 2 min of isometric handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (grip protocol), and 5 min of isometric handgrip at 30% maximal voluntary contraction while breathing cold air (cold + grip protocol). Heart rate, blood pressure, inspired air temperature, CBV, myocardial function (tissue Doppler imaging), O2 saturation, and pulmonary function were measured. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was used as an index of myocardial O2 demand, whereas CBV was used as an index of myocardial O2 supply. Compared with the sham protocol, the cold air protocol caused a significantly higher RPP, but there was a significant reduction in CBV. The cold + grip protocol caused a significantly greater increase in RPP compared with the grip protocol (P = 0.045), but the increase in CBV was significantly less (P = 0.039). However, myocardial function was not impaired during the cold + grip protocol relative to the grip protocol alone. Collectively, these data indicate that there is a supply-demand mismatch in the coronary vascular bed when cold ambient air is breathed during acute exertion but myocardial function is preserved, suggesting an adequate redistribution of blood flow. PMID:21940852

  15. Reproducibility and Accuracy of Quantitative Myocardial Blood Flow Using 82Rb-PET: Comparison with 13N-Ammonia

    PubMed Central

    Fakhri, Georges El

    2011-01-01

    =0.843) and stress (r2=0.761). The Bland-Altman plots show no significant presence of proportional error at rest or stress, nor a dependence of the variations on the amplitude of the myocardial blood flow at rest or stress. A small systematic overestimation of 13N-ammonia MBF was observed with 82Rb at rest (0.129 ml/g/min) and the opposite, i.e., underestimation, at stress (0.22 ml/g/min). Conclusions Our results show that absolute quantitation of myocardial bloof flow is reproducible and accurate with 82Rb dynamic cardiac PET as compared to 13N-ammonia. The reproducibility of the quantitation approach itself was very good as well as inter-observer reproducibility. PMID:19525467

  16. Continuous monitoring of myocardial acid-base status during intermittent warm blood cardioplegia.

    PubMed

    Graffigna, A C L; Nollo, G; Pederzolli, C; Ferrari, P; Widesott, L; Antolini, R

    2002-06-01

    Intermittent warm blood cardioplegia (IWBC) is a well-established technique for myocardial protection during cardiac operations. According to standardized protocols, IWBC administration is currently performed every 15-20 min regardless of any individual variable and in the absence of any instrumental monitoring. We devised a new system for continuous measurement of the acid-base status of coronary sinus blood for on-line evaluation of myocardial oxygenation during IWBC. In 19 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery and receiving IWBC (34-37 degrees C) by antegrade induction (3 min) and retrograde or antegrade maintenance (2 min) every 15 min, continuous monitoring of myocardial oxygenation and acid/base status was performed by means of a multiparameter PO(2), PCO(2), pH, and temperature sensor (Paratrend7 (R), Philips Medical System) inserted into the coronary sinus. Mean cross-clamping time was 76+/-26 min; ischemic time was 13+/-0.2 min. pH decline was not linear, showing an initial fast decline, a point of flexus, and a progressive slow decline. After every ischemic period, the pH adaptation curve showed a complex pattern reaching step-by-step lower minimum levels (7.28+/-0.14 during the first ischemic period, to 7.16+/-0.19 during the third ischemic period - P=0.003). PO(2) decreased rapidly at 90% in 5.0+/-1.2 min after every reperfusion. During ischemia, PCO(2) increased steadily at 1.6+/-0.1 mmHg per minute, with progressively incomplete removal after successive reperfusion, and progressive increase of maximal level (42+/-12 mmHg during the first ischemic period, to 53+/-23 mmHg during the third ischemic period - P=0.05). Myocardial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH show marked changes after repeated IWBC. Myocardial ischemia is not completely reversed by standardized reperfusions, as reflected by steady deterioration of PCO(2) and pH after each reperfusion. Progressive increase of reperfusion durations or

  17. Blood pool and tissue phase patient motion effects on 82rubidium PET myocardial blood flow quantification.

    PubMed

    Lee, Benjamin C; Moody, Jonathan B; Poitrasson-Rivière, Alexis; Melvin, Amanda C; Weinberg, Richard L; Corbett, James R; Ficaro, Edward P; Murthy, Venkatesh L

    2018-03-23

    Patient motion can lead to misalignment of left ventricular volumes of interest and subsequently inaccurate quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and flow reserve (MFR) from dynamic PET myocardial perfusion images. We aimed to identify the prevalence of patient motion in both blood and tissue phases and analyze the effects of this motion on MBF and MFR estimates. We selected 225 consecutive patients that underwent dynamic stress/rest rubidium-82 chloride ( 82 Rb) PET imaging. Dynamic image series were iteratively reconstructed with 5- to 10-second frame durations over the first 2 minutes for the blood phase and 10 to 80 seconds for the tissue phase. Motion shifts were assessed by 3 physician readers from the dynamic series and analyzed for frequency, magnitude, time, and direction of motion. The effects of this motion isolated in time, direction, and magnitude on global and regional MBF and MFR estimates were evaluated. Flow estimates derived from the motion corrected images were used as the error references. Mild to moderate motion (5-15 mm) was most prominent in the blood phase in 63% and 44% of the stress and rest studies, respectively. This motion was observed with frequencies of 75% in the septal and inferior directions for stress and 44% in the septal direction for rest. Images with blood phase isolated motion had mean global MBF and MFR errors of 2%-5%. Isolating blood phase motion in the inferior direction resulted in mean MBF and MFR errors of 29%-44% in the RCA territory. Flow errors due to tissue phase isolated motion were within 1%. Patient motion was most prevalent in the blood phase and MBF and MFR errors increased most substantially with motion in the inferior direction. Motion correction focused on these motions is needed to reduce MBF and MFR errors.

  18. Cardiovascular pharmacology of quazodine (MJ-1988), with particular reference to effects of myocardial blood flow and metabolic heat production.

    PubMed

    Parratt, J R; Winslow, E

    1971-06-01

    1. The effects of intravenous infusions of quazodine (6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethylquinazoline; MJ-1988) on myocardial blood flow, myocardial metabolic heat production and on general haemodynamics have been studied in cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone.2. Quazodine (0.25 and 0.5 (mg/kg)/min for 10 min) decreased diastolic blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance, systolic ejection time and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Heart rate, cardiac effort, output and external work and left ventricular dP/dt were markedly increased. These changes are indicative of increased myocardial contractility and peripheral vasodilatation.3. In a dose of (1.0 mg/kg)/min, quazodine had a more marked hypotensive effect, systolic pressure being significantly reduced, and had less effect on left ventricular dP/dt and cardiac effort. Calculated external cardiac work was slightly reduced and there were very occasional nodal arrhythmias.4. Changes in heart rate, aortic dP/dt and diastolic blood pressure induced by quazodine were unaffected by the previous administration of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent alprenolol in a dose (1.0 mg/kg) which abolished the effects of isoprenaline.5. In all doses, quazodine markedly increased local blood flow (by 70-540%) around an implanted myocardial heated thermocouple recorder. ;Corrected temperature', an index of local myocardial metabolic heat production, was almost unchanged and it is suggested that increased myocardial contractility, occurring with unchanged metabolic heat production and oxygen consumption, probably results from a concomitant decrease in intramural wall tension.

  19. Positron-emitting myocardial blood flow tracers and clinical potential.

    PubMed

    Schindler, Thomas H

    2015-01-01

    Positron-emitting myocardial flow radiotracers such as (15)O-water, (13)N-ammonia and (82)Rubidium in conjunction with positron-emission-tomography (PET) are increasingly applied in clinical routine for coronary artery disease (CAD) detection, yielding high diagnostic accuracy, while providing valuable information on cardiovascular (CV) outcome. Owing to a cyclotron dependency of (15)O-water and (13)N-ammonia, their clinical use for PET myocardial perfusion imaging is limited to a few centers. This limitation could be overcome by the increasing use of (82)Rubidium as it can be eluted from a commercially available (82)Strontium generator and, thus, is independent of a nearby cyclotron. Another novel F-18-labeled myocardial flow radiotracer is flurpiridaz which has attracted increasing interest due to its excellent radiotracer characteristics for perfusion and flow imaging with PET. In particular, the relatively long half-life of 109 minutes of flurpiridaz may afford a general application of this radiotracer for PET perfusion imaging comparable to technetium-99m-labeled single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The ability of PET in conjunction with several radiotracers to assess myocardial blood flow (MBF) in ml/g/min at rest and during vasomotor stress has contributed to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), to improve the detection and characterization of CAD burden in multivessel disease, and to provide incremental prognostic information in individuals with subclinical and clinically-manifest CAD. The concurrent evaluation of myocardial perfusion and MBF may lead to a new era of a personalized, image-guided therapy approach that may offer potential to further improve clinical outcome in CV disease patients but needing validation in large-scale clinical trials. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. High dose naloxone does not improve cerebral or myocardial blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pigs.

    PubMed

    Gervais, H W; Eberle, B; Hennes, H J; Grimm, W; Kilian, A; Konietzke, D; Massing, C; Dick, W

    1997-06-01

    In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial we tested the hypothesis that naloxone given during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) enhances cerebral and myocardial blood flow. Twenty-one anesthetized, normoventilated pigs were instrumented for measurements of right atrial and aortic pressures, and regional organ blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres). After 5 min of untreated fibrillatory arrest, CPR was commenced using a pneumatic chest compressor/ventilator. With onset of CPR, an i.v. bolus of 40 micrograms/kg b.w. of epinephrine was given, followed by an infusion of 0.4 micrograms/kg per min. After 5 min of CPR, either naloxone, 10 mg/kg b.w. (group N, n = 11) or normal saline (group S, n = 10) was given i.v. Prior to, and after 1, 15, and 30 min of CPR, hemodynamic and blood flow measurements were obtained. After 30 min of CPR, mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in group N (26 +/- 5 vs. 13 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05). Groups did not differ with respect to myocardial perfusion pressure or arterial blood gases at any time during the observation period. Regional brain and heart blood flows were not different between N and S at any point of measurement. We conclude that high-dose naloxone does not augment cerebral or myocardial blood flow during prolonged closed-chest CPR.

  1. Characterization of 3-Dimensional PET Systems for Accurate Quantification of Myocardial Blood Flow.

    PubMed

    Renaud, Jennifer M; Yip, Kathy; Guimond, Jean; Trottier, Mikaël; Pibarot, Philippe; Turcotte, Eric; Maguire, Conor; Lalonde, Lucille; Gulenchyn, Karen; Farncombe, Troy; Wisenberg, Gerald; Moody, Jonathan; Lee, Benjamin; Port, Steven C; Turkington, Timothy G; Beanlands, Rob S; deKemp, Robert A

    2017-01-01

    Three-dimensional (3D) mode imaging is the current standard for PET/CT systems. Dynamic imaging for quantification of myocardial blood flow with short-lived tracers, such as 82 Rb-chloride, requires accuracy to be maintained over a wide range of isotope activities and scanner counting rates. We proposed new performance standard measurements to characterize the dynamic range of PET systems for accurate quantitative imaging. 82 Rb or 13 N-ammonia (1,100-3,000 MBq) was injected into the heart wall insert of an anthropomorphic torso phantom. A decaying isotope scan was obtained over 5 half-lives on 9 different 3D PET/CT systems and 1 3D/2-dimensional PET-only system. Dynamic images (28 × 15 s) were reconstructed using iterative algorithms with all corrections enabled. Dynamic range was defined as the maximum activity in the myocardial wall with less than 10% bias, from which corresponding dead-time, counting rates, and/or injected activity limits were established for each scanner. Scatter correction residual bias was estimated as the maximum cavity blood-to-myocardium activity ratio. Image quality was assessed via the coefficient of variation measuring nonuniformity of the left ventricular myocardium activity distribution. Maximum recommended injected activity/body weight, peak dead-time correction factor, counting rates, and residual scatter bias for accurate cardiac myocardial blood flow imaging were 3-14 MBq/kg, 1.5-4.0, 22-64 Mcps singles and 4-14 Mcps prompt coincidence counting rates, and 2%-10% on the investigated scanners. Nonuniformity of the myocardial activity distribution varied from 3% to 16%. Accurate dynamic imaging is possible on the 10 3D PET systems if the maximum injected MBq/kg values are respected to limit peak dead-time losses during the bolus first-pass transit. © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

  2. Extracellular Vesicle Injection Improves Myocardial Function and Increases Angiogenesis in a Swine Model of Chronic Ischemia.

    PubMed

    Potz, Brittany A; Scrimgeour, Laura A; Pavlov, Vasile I; Sodha, Neel R; Abid, M Ruhul; Sellke, Frank W

    2018-06-12

    Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are believed to be cardioprotective in myocardial infarct. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of human mesenchymal cell-derived EV injection on cardiac function, myocardial blood flow, and vessel density in the setting of chronic myocardial ischemia. Twenty-three Yorkshire swine underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor on their left circumflex artery. Two weeks later, the animals were split into 2 groups: the control group (CON; n=7) and the EV myocardial injection group (MVM; n=10). The MVM group underwent myocardial injection of 50 μg of EVs in 2 mL 0.9% saline into the ischemic myocardium. Five weeks later, the pigs underwent a harvest procedure, and the left ventricular myocardium was analyzed. Absolute blood flow and the ischemic/nonischemic myocardial perfusion ratio were increased in the ischemic myocardium in the MVM group compared with the CON group. Pigs in the MVM group had increased capillary and arteriolar density in the ischemic myocardial tissue compared with CON pigs. There was an increase in expression of the phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase ratio, the phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase ratio, and total protein kinase B in the MVM group compared with CON. There was an increase in cardiac output and stroke volume in the MVM group compared with CON. In the setting of chronic myocardial ischemia, myocardial injection of human mesenchymal cell-derived EVs increases blood flow to ischemic myocardial tissue by induction of capillary and arteriolar growth via activation of the protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways resulting in increased cardiac output and stroke volume. © 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

  3. Acute myocardial infarction associated with blood transfusion: case report and literature review.

    PubMed

    Velibey, Yalcin; Erbay, Aliriza; Ozkurt, Enver; Usta, Emrah; Akin, Filiz

    2014-04-01

    A 62-year old patient with a history of chronic anemia associated with malabsorption secondary to short gut syndrome, experienced acute chest pain the second hour after the transfusion of a crossmatch-compatible erythrocyte suspension. His electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed widespread ST-segment depressions and he had an elevated troponin level. Laboratory findings and physical examination did not indicate the presence of immunological or non-immunological blood transfusion reactions. Cardiac catheterization was performed and showed angiographically non-obstructive, atherosclerotic plaques and the absence of vasospasm or thrombus formation. Following antiischemic therapy his symptoms resolved completely. The ECG obtained 24 hours after the emergence of chest pain demonstrated normal sinus rhythm with no ST-T wave changes. We present a rare case of acute myocardial infarction induced following a blood transfusion. To the best of our knowledge, a few cases of acute myocardial infarction associated with blood transfusion have been formally recorded in the medical literature and the clinical experience regarding such cases is indeed quite limited. The present case is reviewed in the context of the relevant literature as a practical resource for clinical practice. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Fully distributed absolute blood flow velocity measurement for middle cerebral arteries using Doppler optical coherence tomography

    PubMed Central

    Qi, Li; Zhu, Jiang; Hancock, Aneeka M.; Dai, Cuixia; Zhang, Xuping; Frostig, Ron D.; Chen, Zhongping

    2016-01-01

    Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) is considered one of the most promising functional imaging modalities for neuro biology research and has demonstrated the ability to quantify cerebral blood flow velocity at a high accuracy. However, the measurement of total absolute blood flow velocity (BFV) of major cerebral arteries is still a difficult problem since it is related to vessel geometry. In this paper, we present a volumetric vessel reconstruction approach that is capable of measuring the absolute BFV distributed along the entire middle cerebral artery (MCA) within a large field-of-view. The Doppler angle at each point of the MCA, representing the vessel geometry, is derived analytically by localizing the artery from pure DOCT images through vessel segmentation and skeletonization. Our approach could achieve automatic quantification of the fully distributed absolute BFV across different vessel branches. Experiments on rodents using swept-source optical coherence tomography showed that our approach was able to reveal the consequences of permanent MCA occlusion with absolute BFV measurement. PMID:26977365

  5. Fully distributed absolute blood flow velocity measurement for middle cerebral arteries using Doppler optical coherence tomography.

    PubMed

    Qi, Li; Zhu, Jiang; Hancock, Aneeka M; Dai, Cuixia; Zhang, Xuping; Frostig, Ron D; Chen, Zhongping

    2016-02-01

    Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) is considered one of the most promising functional imaging modalities for neuro biology research and has demonstrated the ability to quantify cerebral blood flow velocity at a high accuracy. However, the measurement of total absolute blood flow velocity (BFV) of major cerebral arteries is still a difficult problem since it is related to vessel geometry. In this paper, we present a volumetric vessel reconstruction approach that is capable of measuring the absolute BFV distributed along the entire middle cerebral artery (MCA) within a large field-of-view. The Doppler angle at each point of the MCA, representing the vessel geometry, is derived analytically by localizing the artery from pure DOCT images through vessel segmentation and skeletonization. Our approach could achieve automatic quantification of the fully distributed absolute BFV across different vessel branches. Experiments on rodents using swept-source optical coherence tomography showed that our approach was able to reveal the consequences of permanent MCA occlusion with absolute BFV measurement.

  6. Myocardial blood flow and its transit time, oxygen utilization, and efficiency of highly endurance-trained human heart.

    PubMed

    Heinonen, Ilkka; Kudomi, Nobuyuki; Kemppainen, Jukka; Kiviniemi, Antti; Noponen, Tommi; Luotolahti, Matti; Luoto, Pauliina; Oikonen, Vesa; Sipilä, Hannu T; Kopra, Jaakko; Mononen, Ilkka; Duncker, Dirk J; Knuuti, Juhani; Kalliokoski, Kari K

    2014-07-01

    Highly endurance-trained athlete's heart represents the most extreme form of cardiac adaptation to physical stress, but its circulatory alterations remain obscure. In the present study, myocardial blood flow (MBF), blood mean transit time (MTT), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and consumption (MVO2), and efficiency of cardiac work were quantified in highly trained male endurance athletes and control subjects at rest and during supine cycling exercise using [(15)O]-labeled radiotracers and positron emission tomography. Heart rate and MBF were lower in athletes both at rest and during exercise. OEF increased in response to exercise in both groups, but was higher in athletes (70 ± 21 vs. 63 ± 11 % at rest and 86 ± 13 vs. 73 ± 10 % during exercise). MTT was longer and vascular resistance higher in athletes both at rest and during exercise, but arterial content of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (oxygen affinity) was unchanged. MVO2 per gram of myocardium trended (p = 0.08) lower in athletes both at rest and during exercise, while myocardial efficiency of work and MVO2 per beat were not different between groups. Arterial levels of free fatty acids were ~twofold higher in athletes likely leading to higher myocardial fatty acid oxidation and hence oxygen cost, which may have blunted the bradycardia-induced decrease in MVO2. Finally, the observed group differences in MBF, OEF, MTT and vascular resistance remained significant also after they were controlled for differences in MVO2. In conclusion, in highly endurance-trained human heart, increased myocardial blood transition time enables higher oxygen extraction levels with a lower myocardial blood flow and higher vascular resistance. These physiological adaptations to exercise training occur independently of the level of oxygen consumption and together with training-induced bradycardia may serve as mechanisms to increase functional reserve of the human heart.

  7. Optimally Repeatable Kinetic Model Variant for Myocardial Blood Flow Measurements with 82Rb PET.

    PubMed

    Ocneanu, Adrian F; deKemp, Robert A; Renaud, Jennifer M; Adler, Andy; Beanlands, Rob S B; Klein, Ran

    2017-01-01

    Purpose. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification with 82 Rb positron emission tomography (PET) is gaining clinical adoption, but improvements in precision are desired. This study aims to identify analysis variants producing the most repeatable MBF measures. Methods. 12 volunteers underwent same-day test-retest rest and dipyridamole stress imaging with dynamic 82 Rb PET, from which MBF was quantified using 1-tissue-compartment kinetic model variants: (1) blood-pool versus uptake region sampled input function (Blood/Uptake-ROI), (2) dual spillover correction (SOC-On/Off), (3) right blood correction (RBC-On/Off), (4) arterial blood transit delay (Delay-On/Off), and (5) distribution volume (DV) constraint (Global/Regional-DV). Repeatability of MBF, stress/rest myocardial flow reserve (MFR), and stress/rest MBF difference (ΔMBF) was assessed using nonparametric reproducibility coefficients (RPC np = 1.45 × interquartile range). Results. MBF using SOC-On, RVBC-Off, Blood-ROI, Global-DV, and Delay-Off was most repeatable for combined rest and stress: RPC np = 0.21 mL/min/g (15.8%). Corresponding MFR and ΔMBF RPC np were 0.42 (20.2%) and 0.24 mL/min/g (23.5%). MBF repeatability improved with SOC-On at stress ( p < 0.001) and tended to improve with RBC-Off at both rest and stress ( p < 0.08). DV and ROI did not significantly influence repeatability. The Delay-On model was overdetermined and did not reliably converge. Conclusion. MBF and MFR test-retest repeatability were the best with dual spillover correction, left atrium blood input function, and global DV.

  8. Quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow in coronary artery disease by cardiovascular magnetic resonance: comparison of Fermi and distributed parameter modeling against invasive methods.

    PubMed

    Papanastasiou, Giorgos; Williams, Michelle C; Dweck, Marc R; Alam, Shirjel; Cooper, Annette; Mirsadraee, Saeed; Newby, David E; Semple, Scott I

    2016-09-13

    Mathematical modeling of perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) data allows absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow and can potentially improve the diagnosis and prognostication of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), against the current clinical standard of visual assessments. This study compares the diagnostic performance of distributed parameter modeling (DP) against the standard Fermi model, for the detection of obstructive CAD, in per vessel against per patient analysis. A pilot cohort of 28 subjects (24 included in the final analysis) with known or suspected CAD underwent adenosine stress-rest perfusion CMR at 3T. Data were analysed using Fermi and DP modeling against invasive coronary angiography and fractional flow reserve, acquired in all subjects. Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal stenosis of ≥70 % alone, or luminal stenosis ≥50 % and fractional flow reserve ≤0.80. On ROC analysis, DP modeling outperformed the standard Fermi model, in per vessel and per patient analysis. In per patient analysis, DP modeling-derived myocardial blood flow at stress demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity (0.96, 0.92) in detecting obstructive CAD, against Fermi modeling (0.78, 0.88) and visual assessments (0.79, 0.88), respectively. DP modeling demonstrated consistently increased diagnostic performance against Fermi modeling and showed that it may have merit for stratifying patients with at least one vessel with obstructive CAD. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01368237 Registered 6 of June 2011. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01368237.

  9. Fractal regional myocardial blood flows pattern according to metabolism, not vascular anatomy

    PubMed Central

    Yipintsoi, Tada; Kroll, Keith

    2015-01-01

    Regional myocardial blood flows are markedly heterogeneous. Fractal analysis shows strong near-neighbor correlation. In experiments to distinguish control by vascular anatomy vs. local vasomotion, coronary flows were increased in open-chest dogs by stimulating myocardial metabolism (catecholamines + atropine) with and without adenosine. During control states mean left ventricular (LV) myocardial blood flows (microspheres) were 0.5–1 ml·g−1·min−1 and increased to 2–3 ml·g−1·min−1 with catecholamine infusion and to ∼4 ml·g−1·min−1 with adenosine (Ado). Flow heterogeneity was similar in all states: relative dispersion (RD = SD/mean) was ∼25%, using LV pieces 0.1–0.2% of total. During catecholamine infusion local flows increased in proportion to the mean flows in 45% of the LV, “tracking” closely (increased proportionately to mean flow), while ∼40% trended toward the mean. Near-neighbor regional flows remained strongly spatially correlated, with fractal dimension D near 1.2 (Hurst coefficient 0.8). The spatial patterns remain similar at varied levels of metabolic stimulation inferring metabolic dominance. In contrast, adenosine vasodilation increased flows eightfold times control while destroying correlation with the control state. The Ado-induced spatial patterns differed from control but were self-consistent, inferring that with full vasodilation the relaxed arterial anatomy dominates the distribution. We conclude that vascular anatomy governs flow distributions during adenosine vasodilation but that metabolic vasoregulation dominates in normal physiological states. PMID:26589329

  10. Fractal regional myocardial blood flows pattern according to metabolism, not vascular anatomy.

    PubMed

    Yipintsoi, Tada; Kroll, Keith; Bassingthwaighte, James B

    2016-02-01

    Regional myocardial blood flows are markedly heterogeneous. Fractal analysis shows strong near-neighbor correlation. In experiments to distinguish control by vascular anatomy vs. local vasomotion, coronary flows were increased in open-chest dogs by stimulating myocardial metabolism (catecholamines + atropine) with and without adenosine. During control states mean left ventricular (LV) myocardial blood flows (microspheres) were 0.5-1 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) and increased to 2-3 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) with catecholamine infusion and to ∼4 ml·g(-1)·min(-1) with adenosine (Ado). Flow heterogeneity was similar in all states: relative dispersion (RD = SD/mean) was ∼25%, using LV pieces 0.1-0.2% of total. During catecholamine infusion local flows increased in proportion to the mean flows in 45% of the LV, "tracking" closely (increased proportionately to mean flow), while ∼40% trended toward the mean. Near-neighbor regional flows remained strongly spatially correlated, with fractal dimension D near 1.2 (Hurst coefficient 0.8). The spatial patterns remain similar at varied levels of metabolic stimulation inferring metabolic dominance. In contrast, adenosine vasodilation increased flows eightfold times control while destroying correlation with the control state. The Ado-induced spatial patterns differed from control but were self-consistent, inferring that with full vasodilation the relaxed arterial anatomy dominates the distribution. We conclude that vascular anatomy governs flow distributions during adenosine vasodilation but that metabolic vasoregulation dominates in normal physiological states. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  11. Assessment of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve with positron emission tomography in ischemic heart disease: current state and future directions.

    PubMed

    Al Badarin, Firas; Aljizeeri, Ahmed; Almasoudi, Fatimah; Al-Mallah, Mouaz H

    2017-07-01

    Positron emission tomography (PET) is a versatile imaging technology that allows assessment of myocardial perfusion, both at a spatially relative scale and also in absolute terms, thereby enabling noninvasive evaluation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR). Assessment of MBF using FDA-approved PET isotopes, such as 82 Rb and 13 N-ammonia, has been well validated, and several software packages are currently available, thereby allowing for MBF evaluation to be incorporated into routine workflow in contemporary nuclear laboratories. Incremental diagnostic and prognostic information provided with the knowledge of MBF has the potential for widespread applications. Improving the ability to identify the true burden of obstructive epicardial coronary stenoses and allowing for noninvasive assessment of coronary micro circulatory function can be achieved with MBF assessment. On the other hand, attenuated CFR has been shown to predict adverse cardiovascular prognosis in a variety of clinical settings and patient subgroups. With expanding applications of MBF, this tool promises to provide unique insight into the integrity of the entire coronary vascular bed beyond what is currently available with relative perfusion assessment. This review intends to provide an in-depth discussion of technical and clinical aspects of MBF assessment with PET as it relates to patients with ischemic heart disease.

  12. Relationship between HgbA1c and myocardial blood flow reserve in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: noninvasive assessment using real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Huang, Runqing; Abdelmoneim, Sahar S; Nhola, Lara F; Mulvagh, Sharon L

    2014-01-01

    To study the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) and myocardial perfusion in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, we prospectively enrolled 24 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent adenosine stress by real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography (RTMPE). HgbA1c was measured at time of RTMPE. Microbubble velocity (β min(-1)), myocardial blood flow (MBF, mL/min/g), and myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) were quantified. Quantitative MCE analysis was feasible in all patients (272/384 segments, 71%). Those with HgbA1c > 7.1% had significantly lower βreserve and MBFR than those with HgbA1c ≤ 7.1% (P < 0.05). In patients with suspected CAD, there was a significant inverse correlation between MBFR and HgbA1c (r = -0.279, P = 0.01); however, in those with known CAD, this relationship was not significant (r = -0.117, P = 0.129). Using a MBFR cutoff value > 2 as normal, HgbA1c > 7.1% significantly increased the risk for abnormal MBFR, (adjusted odds ratio: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12-3.35, P = 0.02). Optimal glycemic control is associated with preservation of MBFR as determined by RTMPE, in T2DM patients at risk for CAD.

  13. Measurements Of Coronary Mean Transit Time And Myocardial Tissue Blood Flow By Deconvolution Of Intravasal Tracer Dilution Curves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Korb, H.; Hoeft, A.; Hellige, G.

    1984-10-01

    Previous studies have shown that intramyocardial blood volume does not vary to a major extent even during extreme variation of hemodynamics and coronary vascular tone. Based on a constant intramyocardial blood volume it is therefore possible to calculate tissue blood flow from the mean transit time of an intravascular tracer. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically applicable method for measurement of coronary blood flow. The new method was based on indocyanine green, a dye which is bound to albumin and intravasally detectable by means of a fiberoptic catheter device. One fiberoptic catheter was placed in the aortic root and another in the coronary sinus. After central venous dye injection the resulting arterial and coronary venous dye dilution curves were processed on-line by a micro-computer. The mean transit time as well as myocardial blood flow were calculated from the step response function of the deconvoluted arterial and coronary venous signals. Reference flow was determined with an extracorporeal electromagnetic flowprobe within a coronary sinus bypass system. 38 steady states with coronary blood flow ranging from 49 - 333 ml/min*100g were analysed in 5 dogs. Mean transit times varied from 2.9 to 16.6 sec. An average intracoronary blood volume of 13.9 -7 1.8 m1/100g was calculated. The correlation between flow determined by the dye dilution technique and flow measured with the reference method was 0.98. According to these results determination of coronary blood flow with a double fiberoptic system and indocyanine green should be possible even under clinical conditions. Furthermore, the arterial and coronary venous oxygen saturation can be monitored continuously by the fiberoptic catheters. Therefore, additional information about the performance of the heart such as myocardial oxygen consumption and myocardial efficiency is available with the same equipment.

  14. Highly automatic quantification of myocardial oedema in patients with acute myocardial infarction using bright blood T2-weighted CMR

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is clinically-useful for imaging the ischemic area-at-risk and amount of salvageable myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, to date, quantification of oedema is user-defined and potentially subjective. Methods We describe a highly automatic framework for quantifying myocardial oedema from bright blood T2-weighted CMR in patients with acute MI. Our approach retains user input (i.e. clinical judgment) to confirm the presence of oedema on an image which is then subjected to an automatic analysis. The new method was tested on 25 consecutive acute MI patients who had a CMR within 48 hours of hospital admission. Left ventricular wall boundaries were delineated automatically by variational level set methods followed by automatic detection of myocardial oedema by fitting a Rayleigh-Gaussian mixture statistical model. These data were compared with results from manual segmentation of the left ventricular wall and oedema, the current standard approach. Results The mean perpendicular distances between automatically detected left ventricular boundaries and corresponding manual delineated boundaries were in the range of 1-2 mm. Dice similarity coefficients for agreement (0=no agreement, 1=perfect agreement) between manual delineation and automatic segmentation of the left ventricular wall boundaries and oedema regions were 0.86 and 0.74, respectively. Conclusion Compared to standard manual approaches, the new highly automatic method for estimating myocardial oedema is accurate and straightforward. It has potential as a generic software tool for physicians to use in clinical practice. PMID:23548176

  15. Cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the relationship between myocardial function and cerebral blood flow in older adults.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Nathan F; Gold, Brian T; Bailey, Alison L; Clasey, Jody L; Hakun, Jonathan G; White, Matthew; Long, Doug E; Powell, David K

    2016-05-01

    A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiorespiratory fitness attenuates some age-related cerebral declines. However, little is known about the role that myocardial function plays in this relationship. Brain regions with high resting metabolic rates, such as the default mode network (DMN), may be especially vulnerable to age-related declines in myocardial functions affecting cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study explored the relationship between a measure of myocardial mechanics, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and CBF to the DMN. In addition, we explored how cardiorespiratory affects this relationship. Participants were 30 older adults between the ages of 59 and 69 (mean age=63.73years, SD=2.8). Results indicated that superior cardiorespiratory fitness and myocardial mechanics were positively associated with DMN CBF. Moreover, results of a mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between GLS and DMN CBF was accounted for by individual differences in fitness. Findings suggest that benefits of healthy heart function to brain function are modified by fitness. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. [Oxygen-transporting function of the blood circulation system in sevoflurane anesthesia during myocardial revascularization under extracorporeal circulation].

    PubMed

    Skopets, A A; Lomivorotov, V V; Karakhalis, N B; Makarov, A A; Duman'ian, E S; Lomivorotova, L V

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of oxygen-transporting function of the circulatory system under sevoflurane anesthesia during myocardial revascularization operations under extracorporeal circulation. Twenty-five patients with coronary heart disease were examined. Mean blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, total peripheral vascular resistance index, pulmonary pressure, pulmonary wedge pressure, and central venous pressure were measured. Arterial and mixed venous blood oxygen levels, oxygen delivery and consumption index, arteriovenous oxygen difference, and glucose and lactate concentrations were calculated. The study has demonstrated that sevoflurane is an effective and safe anesthetic for myocardial revascularization operations in patients with coronary heart disease. The use of sevoflurane contributes to steady-state oxygen-transporting function of the circulatory system at all surgical stages.

  17. Catheter-Based Measurements of Absolute Coronary Blood Flow and Microvascular Resistance: Feasibility, Safety, and Reproducibility in Humans.

    PubMed

    Xaplanteris, Panagiotis; Fournier, Stephane; Keulards, Daniëlle C J; Adjedj, Julien; Ciccarelli, Giovanni; Milkas, Anastasios; Pellicano, Mariano; Van't Veer, Marcel; Barbato, Emanuele; Pijls, Nico H J; De Bruyne, Bernard

    2018-03-01

    The principle of continuous thermodilution can be used to calculate absolute coronary blood flow and microvascular resistance (R). The aim of the study is to explore the safety, feasibility, and reproducibility of coronary blood flow and R measurements as measured by continuous thermodilution in humans. Absolute coronary flow and R can be calculated by thermodilution by infusing saline at room temperature through a dedicated monorail catheter. The temperature of saline as it enters the vessel, the temperature of blood and saline mixed in the distal part of the vessel, and the distal coronary pressure were measured by a pressure/temperature sensor-tipped guidewire. The feasibility and safety of the method were tested in 135 patients who were referred for coronary angiography. No significant adverse events were observed; in 11 (8.1%) patients, bradycardia and concomitant atrioventricular block appeared transiently and were reversed immediately on interruption of the infusion. The reproducibility of measurements was tested in a subgroup of 80 patients (129 arteries). Duplicate measurements had a strong correlation both for coronary blood flow (ρ=0.841, P <0.001; intraclass correlation coefficient=0.89, P <0.001) and R (ρ=0.780, P <0.001; intraclass correlation coefficient=0.89, P <0.001). In Bland-Altman plots, there was no significant bias or asymmetry. Absolute coronary blood flow (in L/min) and R (in mm Hg/L/min or Wood units) can be safely and reproducibly measured with continuous thermodilution. This approach constitutes a new opportunity for the study of the coronary microcirculation. © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.

  18. Three-dimensional imaging of absolute blood flow velocity and blood vessel position under low blood flow velocity based on Doppler signal information included in scattered light from red blood cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kyoden, Tomoaki; Akiguchi, Shunsuke; Tajiri, Tomoki; Andoh, Tsugunobu; Hachiga, Tadashi

    2017-11-01

    The development of a system for in vivo visualization of occluded distal blood vessels for diabetic patients is the main target of our research. We herein describe two-beam multipoint laser Doppler velocimetry (MLDV), which measures the instantaneous multipoint flow velocity and can be used to observe the blood flow velocity in peripheral blood vessels. By including a motorized stage to shift the measurement points horizontally and in the depth direction while measuring the velocity, the path of the blood vessel in the skin could be observed using blood flow velocity in three-dimensional space. The relationship of the signal power density between the blood vessel and the surrounding tissues was shown and helped us identify the position of the blood vessel. Two-beam MLDV can be used to simultaneously determine the absolute blood flow velocity distribution and identify the blood vessel position in skin.

  19. Is cold or warm blood cardioplegia superior for myocardial protection?

    PubMed Central

    Abah, Udo; Roberts, Patrick Garfjeld; Ishaq, Muhammad; De Silva, Ravi

    2012-01-01

    A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the use of warm or cold blood cardioplegia has superior myocardial protection. More than 192 papers were found using the reported search, of which 20 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. A good breadth of high-level evidence addressing this clinical dilemma is available, including a recent meta-analysis and multiple large randomized clinical trials. Yet despite this level of evidence, no clear significant clinical benefit has been demonstrated by warm or cold blood cardioplegia. This suggests that neither method is significantly superior and that both provide similar efficacy of myocardial protection. The meta-analysis, including 41 randomized control trials (5879 patients in total), concluded that although a lower cardiac enzyme release and improved postoperative cardiac index was demonstrated in the warm cardioplegia group, this benefit was not reflected in clinical outcomes, which were similar in both groups. This theme of benefit in biochemical markers, physiological metrics and non-fatal postoperative events in the warm cardioplegia group ran throughout the literature, in particular the ‘Warm Heart investigators’ who conducted a randomized trial of 1732 patients, demonstrated a reduction in postoperative low output syndrome (6.1 versus 9.3%, P = 0.01) in the warm cardioplegia group, but no significant drop in 30-day all-cause mortality (1.4 versus 2.5%, P = 0.12). However, their later follow-up indicates non-fatal postoperative events predict reduced late survival, independent of cardioplegia. A minority of studies suggested a benefit of cold cardioplegia over warm in particular patient subgroups: One group conducted a retrospective study of 520 patients who

  20. Noninvasive optical quantification of absolute blood flow, blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate in exercising skeletal muscle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gurley, Katelyn; Shang, Yu; Yu, Guoqiang

    2012-07-01

    This study investigates a method using novel hybrid diffuse optical spectroscopies [near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)] to obtain continuous, noninvasive measurement of absolute blood flow (BF), blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate (\\Vdot O2) in exercising skeletal muscle. Healthy subjects (n=9) performed a handgrip exercise to increase BF and \\Vdot O2 in forearm flexor muscles, while a hybrid optical probe on the skin surface directly monitored oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO2], [Hb], and THC), tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), relative BF (rBF), and relative oxygen consumption rate (r\\Vdot O2). The rBF and r\\Vdot O2 signals were calibrated with absolute baseline BF and \\Vdot O2 obtained through venous and arterial occlusions, respectively. Known problems with muscle-fiber motion artifacts in optical measurements during exercise were mitigated using a novel gating algorithm that determined muscle contraction status based on control signals from a dynamometer. Results were consistent with previous findings in the literature. This study supports the application of NIRS/DCS technology to quantitatively evaluate hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in exercising skeletal muscle and holds promise for improving diagnosis and treatment evaluation for patients suffering from diseases affecting skeletal muscle and advancing fundamental understanding of muscle and exercise physiology.

  1. Noninvasive optical quantification of absolute blood flow, blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate in exercising skeletal muscle

    PubMed Central

    Gurley, Katelyn; Shang, Yu

    2012-01-01

    Abstract. This study investigates a method using novel hybrid diffuse optical spectroscopies [near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)] to obtain continuous, noninvasive measurement of absolute blood flow (BF), blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate (V˙O2) in exercising skeletal muscle. Healthy subjects (n=9) performed a handgrip exercise to increase BF and V˙O2 in forearm flexor muscles, while a hybrid optical probe on the skin surface directly monitored oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO2], [Hb], and THC), tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), relative BF (rBF), and relative oxygen consumption rate (rV˙O2). The rBF and rV˙O2 signals were calibrated with absolute baseline BF and V˙O2 obtained through venous and arterial occlusions, respectively. Known problems with muscle-fiber motion artifacts in optical measurements during exercise were mitigated using a novel gating algorithm that determined muscle contraction status based on control signals from a dynamometer. Results were consistent with previous findings in the literature. This study supports the application of NIRS/DCS technology to quantitatively evaluate hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in exercising skeletal muscle and holds promise for improving diagnosis and treatment evaluation for patients suffering from diseases affecting skeletal muscle and advancing fundamental understanding of muscle and exercise physiology. PMID:22894482

  2. Morphological aspects of myocardial bridges.

    PubMed

    Lujinović, Almira; Kulenović, Amela; Kapur, Eldan; Gojak, Refet

    2013-11-01

    Although some myocardial bridges can be asymptomatic, their presence often causes coronary disease either through direct compression of the "tunnel" segment or through stimulation and accelerated development of atherosclerosis in the segment proximally to the myocardial bridge. The studied material contained 30 human hearts received from the Department of Anatomy. The hearts were preserved 3 to 5 days in 10% formalin solution. Thereafter, the fatty tissue was removed and arterial blood vessels prepared by careful dissection with special reference to the presence of the myocardial bridges. Length and thickness of the bridges were measured by the precise electronic caliper. The angle between the myocardial bridge fibre axis and other axis of the crossed blood vessel was measured by a goniometer. The presence of the bridges was confirmed in 53.33% of the researched material, most frequently (43.33%) above the anterior interventricular branch. The mean length of the bridges was 14.64 ± 9.03 mm and the mean thickness was 1.23 ± 1.32 mm. Myocardial bridge fibres pass over the descending blood vessel at the angle of 10-90 degrees. The results obtained on a limited sample suggest that the muscular index of myocardial bridge is the highest for bridges located on RIA, but that the difference is not significant in relation to bridges located on other branches. The results obtained suggest that bridges located on other branches, not only those on RIA, could have a great contractive power and, consequently, a great compressive force, which would be exerted on the wall of a crossed blood vessel.

  3. Myocardial hypoperfusion/reperfusion tolerance with exercise training in hypertension.

    PubMed

    Reger, Patricia O; Barbe, Mary F; Amin, Mamta; Renna, Brian F; Hewston, Leigh Ann; MacDonnell, Scott M; Houser, Steven R; Libonati, Joseph R

    2006-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise training, superimposed on compensated-concentric hypertrophy, could increase myocardial hypoperfusion-reperfusion (H/R) tolerance. Female Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) (age: 4 mo; N = 40) were placed into a sedentary (SED) or exercise training (TRD) group (treadmill running; 25 m/min, 1 h/day, 5 days/wk for 16 wk). Four groups were studied: WKY-SED (n = 10), WKY-TRD (n = 10), SHR-SED (n = 10), and SHR-TRD (n = 10). Blood pressure and heart rate were determined, and in vitro isolated heart performance was measured with a retrogradely perfused, Langendorff isovolumic preparation. The H/R protocol consisted of a 75% reduction in coronary flow for 17 min followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Although the rate-pressure product was significantly elevated in SHR relative to WKY, training-induced bradycardia reduced the rate-pressure product in SHR-TRD (P < 0.05) without an attenuation in systolic blood pressure. Heart-to-body weight ratio was greater in both groups of SHR vs. WKY-SED (P < 0.001). Absolute and relative myocardial tolerance to H/R was greater in WKY-TRD and both groups of SHR relative to WKY-SED (P < 0.05). Endurance training superimposed on hypertension-induced compensated hypertrophy conferred no further cardioprotection to H/R. Postreperfusion 72-kDa heat shock protein abundance was enhanced in WKY-TRD and both groups of SHR relative to WKY-SED (P < 0.05) and was highly correlated with absolute left ventricular functional recovery during reperfusion (R2= 0.86, P < 0.0001). These data suggest that both compensated hypertrophy associated with short-term hypertension and endurance training individually improved H/R and that increased postreperfusion 72-kDa heat shock protein abundance was, in part, associated with the cardioprotective phenotype observed in this study.

  4. PET measurements of myocardial blood flow post myocardial infarction: Relationship to invasive and cardiac magnetic resonance studies and potential clinical applications.

    PubMed

    Gewirtz, Henry

    2017-12-01

    This review focuses on clinical studies concerning assessment of coronary microvascular and conduit vessel function primarily in the context of acute and sub acute myocardial infarction (MI). The ability of quantitative PET measurements of myocardial blood flow (MBF) to delineate underlying pathophysiology and assist in clinical decision making in this setting is discussed. Likewise, considered are physiological metrics fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve, index of microvascular resistance (FFR, CFR, IMR) obtained from invasive studies performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, typically at the time of PCI for MI. The role both of invasive studies and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in assessing microvascular function, a key determinant of prognosis, is reviewed. The interface between quantitative PET MBF measurements and underlying pathophysiology, as demonstrated both by invasive and CMR methodology, is discussed in the context of optimal interpretation of the quantitative PET MBF exam and its potential clinical applications.

  5. [Evaluation of left ventricular perfusion and regional wall motion in myocardial infarction: using 201Tl myocardial SPECT and 99mTc-HSAD multigated cardiac blood pool emission computed tomography].

    PubMed

    Nanjyo, S

    1994-09-01

    In order to evaluate left ventricular regional wall motion and regional myocardial perfusion, 99mTc-HSAD multigated cardiac blood pool emission computed tomography (cardiac pool SPECT) and 201Tl myocardial SPECT (Tl) were performed on 12 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 6 patients had treated with only thrombolysis in group I and 6 patients had treated with thrombolysis and selective PTCA in group II, 17 patients with old myocardial infarction (OMI) in group III and 5 normal volunteers (controls). The relationship between left ventricular regional wall motion and regional myocardial perfusion was estimated. The relationship between % length shortening (%LS) by cardiac pool SPECT and %Tl uptake (%TU) was good (r = 0.820) in group III. The value for %TU in the segments of akinesia was low (35%) and in the those of severe hypokinesia was higher (48%). In all phases, two groups showed significant relationships between %LS and %TU in group I and II. The %TU was unchanged in the akinetic segment, the %LS changed 30% in group I and the %LS changed to 49% in group II. If the %TU is more than 50% (AMI) or 40% (OMI), we would observe viable muscle. The combination of Tl and cardiac pool SPECT are useful for evaluating myocardial viability in the patients with AMI.

  6. Sex differences in absolute myocardial perfusion. Non-invasive H2(15)O-PET in young healthy adults.

    PubMed

    Range, Felix T; Kies, Peter; Schäfers, Klaus P; Breithardt, Günter; Schober, Otmar; Wichter, Thomas; Schäfers, Michael A

    2016-09-26

    To investigate sex differences in myocardial perfusion especially in healthy individuals since former studies are rare and findings are controversial. Participants, methods: 26 subjects were enrolled: 16 healthy women (age: 34 ±7 years) were compared with 10 healthy men (age: 34 ± 3 years; p = ns). Myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) were quantified at rest, during adenosine infusion and cold-pressor-testing, using positron emission tomography and radioactive-labelled water (H2(15)O-PET). Women showed higher MBF than men at rest (1.10 ± 0.18 vs. 0.85 ± 0.20 ml/min/ml; p = 0.003) and cold-stress (1.39 ± 0.38 vs. 1.06 ± 0.28 ml/min/ml; p = 0.026). Corrected for rate-pressure-product, baseline findings maintained significance (1.41 ± 0.33 vs. 1.16 ± 0.19 ml/min/ml; p = 0.024). CVR was lower in women at baseline (81 ± 14 vs. 107 ± 22 mmHg*ml(-1)*min*ml; p = 0.006) and during cold-pressor-testing (71 ± 17 vs. 91 ± 20 mmHg*ml(-1)*min*ml; p = 0.013). Under adenosine neither maximal MBF (4.06 ± 1.0 vs. 3.91 ± 0.88 ml/min/ml; p = ns) nor coronary flow reserve (3.07 ± 1.12 vs. 3.44 ± 0.92; p = ns) nor CVR (24 ± 8 vs. 24 ± 6 mmHg*ml(-1)*min*ml; p = ns) showed sex-related differences. Women show higher myocardial perfusion and lower coronary vascular resistance than men in physiologic states. Maximum perfusion and vasodilation under adenosine are not sex-specific.

  7. Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

    PubMed Central

    Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

    2015-01-01

    Background We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. Methods We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. Results The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Conclusion The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD. PMID:26491500

  8. Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

    PubMed

    Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-Ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

    2015-11-01

    We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD.

  9. Relationship between blood viscosity and infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

    PubMed

    Cecchi, Emanuele; Liotta, Agatina Alessandriello; Gori, Anna Maria; Valente, Serafina; Giglioli, Cristina; Lazzeri, Chiara; Sofi, Francesco; Gensini, Gian Franco; Abbate, Rosanna; Mannini, Lucia

    2009-05-15

    Previous studies explored the association between hemorheological alterations and acute myocardial infarction, pointing out the role of hematological components on microvascular flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between blood viscosity and infarct size, estimated by creatine kinase (CK) peak activity and cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) peak concentration in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study population included 197 patients with diagnosis of STEMI undergoing PCI. Hemorheological studies were performed by assessing whole blood viscosity (measured at shear rates of 0.512 s(-1) and 94.5 s(-1)) and plasma viscosity using the Rotational Viscosimeter LS 30 and erythrocyte deformability index by Myrenne filtrometer. Significant correlations between CK peak activity, cTnI peak concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction and hemorheological variables were observed. At linear regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, renal dysfunction, timeliness of reperfusion, pre-PCI TIMI flow, infarct location, multivessel disease and previous coronary artery disease) leukocytes and whole blood viscosity at 0.512 s(-1) and 94.5 s(-1) were independently and positively associated with infarct size. These results demonstrate a significant and independent association between hemorheology and infarct size in STEMI patients after PCI suggesting that blood viscosity, in a condition of low flow, might worsen myocardial perfusion leading to an increased infarct size. The measurement of whole blood viscosity in STEMI patients could help to identify those who may benefit from new therapeutic strategies.

  10. Impact of rosiglitazone and glyburide on nitrosative stress and myocardial blood flow regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Pop-Busui, Rodica; Oral, Elif; Raffel, David; Byun, Jaeman; Bajirovic, Valida; Vivekanandan-Giri, Anuradha; Kellogg, Aaron; Pennathur, Subramaniam; Stevens, Martin J

    2009-07-01

    Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is usually preceded by endothelial dysfunction and altered myocardial blood flow (MBF) regulation. Hyperglycemia, oxidative-nitrosative stress, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance are implicated in the pathogenesis of abnormal MBF regulation, myocardial ischemia, and apoptosis. However, the impact of oral antihyperglycemic therapy on myocardial perfusion is controversial. Our objective was to explore the effect of rosiglitazone and glyburide on nitrosative stress and MBF regulation in subjects with T2DM. [(13)N]ammonia positron emission tomography and cold pressor testing were used in 27 diabetic subjects (mean age, 49 +/- 11 years; glycohemoglobin, 7% +/- 1.5%) randomized to either rosiglitazone 8 mg/d or glyburide 10 mg/d for 6 months. Isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify plasma 3-nitrotyrosine, a stable marker of reactive nitrogen species. At 6 months, there were no significant differences between groups in the mean glycohemoglobin, blood pressure, or plasma lipids. Rosiglitazone significantly reduced plasma nitrotyrosine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and von Willebrand antigen (P < .03 for all) and significantly increased plasma adiponectin (P < .05). No significant changes in these parameters were observed with glyburide. Treatment with glyburide, but not rosiglitazone, resulted in a significant deterioration in both resting and stress MBF. Rosiglitazone, but not glyburide, ameliorated markers of nitrosative stress and inflammation in subjects with T2DM without impairing myocardial perfusion.

  11. Regional Myocardial Blood Flow*

    PubMed Central

    Sullivan, Jay M.; Taylor, Warren J.; Elliott, William C.; Gorlin, Richard

    1967-01-01

    A method is described which measures the local effectiveness of the myocardial circulation, expressed as a clearance constant. Uniform clearance constants have been demonstrated in the normal canine and human myocardium. A distinct difference in clearance constants has been demonstrated between the normal canine myocardium and areas of naturally occurring disease. Heterogeneous clearance constants have been found in a majority of human subjects with coronary artery disease—the lowest rates being noted in areas of fibrous aneurysm. PMID:6036537

  12. Warm blood cardioplegia versus cold crystalloid cardioplegia for myocardial protection during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

    PubMed

    Nardi, Paolo; Pisano, Calogera; Bertoldo, Fabio; Vacirca, Sara R; Saitto, Guglielmo; Costantino, Antonino; Bovio, Emanuele; Pellegrino, Antonio; Ruvolo, Giovanni

    2018-12-01

    We retrospectively analyzed early results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery using two different types of cardioplegia for myocardial protection: antegrade intermittent warm blood or cold crystalloid cardioplegia. From January 2015 to October 2016, 330 consecutive patients underwent isolated on-pump CABG. Cardiac arrest was obtained with use of warm blood cardioplegia (WBC group, n  = 297) or cold crystalloid cardioplegia (CCC group, n  = 33), according to the choice of the surgeon. Euroscore II and preoperative characteristics were similar in both groups, except for the creatinine clearance, slightly lower in WBC group (77.33 ± 27.86 mL/min versus 88.77 ± 51.02 mL/min) ( P  < 0.05). Complete revascularization was achieved in both groups. In-hospital mortality was 2.0% ( n  = 6) in WBC group, absent in CCC group. The required mean number of cardioplegia's doses per patient was higher in WBC group (2.3 ± 0.8) versus CCC group (2.0 ± 0.7) ( P  = 0.045), despite a lower number of distal coronary artery anastomoses (2.7 ± 0.8 versus 3.2 ± 0.9) ( P  = 0.0001). Cardiopulmonary and aortic cross-clamp times were similar in both groups. The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction (WBC group 3.4% versus CCC group 3.0%) and low cardiac output syndrome (4.4% versus 3.0%) were similar in both groups. As compared with WBC group, in CCC group CK-MB/CK ratio >10% was lower during each time points of evaluation, with a statistical significant difference at time 0 (4% ± 1.6% versus 5% ± 2.5%) ( P  = 0.021). In presence of complete revascularization, despite the value of CK-MB/CK ratio >10% was less in the CCC group, clinical results were not affected by both types of cardioplegia adopted to myocardial protection. As compared with cold crystalloid, warm blood cardioplegia requires a shorter interval of administration to achieve better myocardial protection.

  13. Diagnostic performance of dark-blood T2-weighted CMR for evaluation of acute myocardial injury.

    PubMed

    Srichai, Monvadi B; Lim, Ruth P; Lath, Narayan; Babb, James; Axel, Leon; Kim, Daniel

    2013-01-01

    We compared the image quality and diagnostic performance of 2 fat-suppression methods for black-blood T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE), which are as follows: (a) short T1 inversion recovery (STIR; FSE-STIR) and (b) spectral adiabatic inversion recovery (SPAIR; FSE-SPAIR), for detection of acute myocardial injury. Edema-sensitive T2-weighted FSE cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is useful in detecting acute myocardial injury but may experience reduced myocardial signal and signal dropout. The SPAIR pulse aims to eliminate artifacts associated with the STIR pulse. A total of 65 consecutive patients referred for CMR evaluation of myocardial structure and function underwent FSE-STIR and FSE-SPAIR, in addition to cine and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR. T2-weighted FSE images were independently evaluated by 2 readers for image quality and artifacts (Likert scale of 1-5; best-worst) and presence of increased myocardial signal suggestive of edema. In addition, clinical CMR interpretation, incorporating all CMR sequences available, was recorded for comparison. Diagnostic performance of each T2-weighted sequence was measured using recent (<30 days) troponin elevation greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal as the reference standard for acute myocardial injury. Of the 65 patients, there were 21 (32%) with acute myocardial injury. Image quality and artifact scores were significantly better with FSE-SPAIR compared with FSE-STIR (2.15 vs 2.68, P < 0.01; 2.62 vs 3.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for acute myocardial injury were as follows: 29%, 93%, 67%, and 73% for FSE-SPAIR; 38%, 91%, 67%, and 75% for FSE-STIR; 71%, 98%, 94%, and 88% for clinical interpretation including LGE, T2, and wall motion. There was a statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the clinical interpretation and each of the T2-weighted sequences but not between each T2-weighted sequence

  14. Impact of admission blood glucose levels on prognosis of elderly patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention

    PubMed Central

    Ekmekci, Ahmet; Uluganyan, Mahmut; Tufan, Fatif; Uyarel, Huseyin; Karaca, Gurkan; Kul, Seref; Gungor, Barış; Ertas, Gokhan; Erer, Betul; Sayar, Nurten; Gul, Mehmet; Eren, Mehmet

    2013-01-01

    Objective Admission hyperglycemia in acute myocardial infarction (MI) is related with increased in-hospital and long term mortality and major cardiac adverse events. We aimed to investigate how admission hyperglycemia affects the short and long term outcomes in elderly patients (> 65 years) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 677 consecutive elderly patients (mean age 72.2 ± 5.4). Patients were divided into two groups according to admission blood glucose levels. Group 1: low glucose group (LLG), glucose < 168 mg/dL; and Group 2: high glucose group (HGG), glucose > 168 mg/dL. Results In-hospital, long term mortality and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events were higher in the high admission blood glucose group (P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed: Killip > 1, post-thrombolysis in MI < 3 and admission blood glucose levels were independent predictors of in-hospital adverse cardiac events (P < 0.001). Conclusions Admission hyperglycemia in elderly patients presented with ST elevation myocardial infarction is an independent predictor of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events and is associated with in-hospital and long term mortality. PMID:24454322

  15. Myocardial oxygen delivery after experimental hemorrhagic shock.

    PubMed Central

    Archie, J P; Mertz, W R

    1978-01-01

    The two components of myocardial oxygen delivery, coronary blood flow to capillaries and diffusion from capillaries to mitochondria, were studied in six dogs, (1) prior to shock, (2) after three hours of hemorrhage shock at a mean systemic arterial pressure of 40 torr, (3) after reinfusion of shed blood, and (4) during the irreversible late posttransfusion stage. There was a maldistribution of left ventricular coronary flow during late shock consistent with subendocardial ischemia. Cardiac performance was significantly impaired after resuscitation and all dogs became irreversible. Total and regional left ventricular coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen delivery to capillaries were significantly greater than preshock values in (3) but not different from preshock values in (4). However, the myocardial oxygen diffusion area to distance ratio was significantly lower than preshock values in (3), and slightly lower in (4). These data suggest that myocardial oxygen diffusion may be impaired in the early post transfusion period, (3). Accordingly, the probable etiology of left ventricular dysfunction and possibly irreversibility after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is subendocardial ischemia during shock with either post-resuscitation impairment of myocardial oxygen diffusion, or in cellular oxygen utilization, or both. PMID:629622

  16. Absolute counting of neutrophils in whole blood using flow cytometry.

    PubMed

    Brunck, Marion E G; Andersen, Stacey B; Timmins, Nicholas E; Osborne, Geoffrey W; Nielsen, Lars K

    2014-12-01

    Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is used clinically to monitor physiological dysfunctions such as myelosuppression or infection. In the research laboratory, ANC is a valuable measure to monitor the evolution of a wide range of disease states in disease models. Flow cytometry (FCM) is a fast, widely used approach to confidently identify thousands of cells within minutes. FCM can be optimised for absolute counting using spiked-in beads or by measuring the sample volume analysed. Here we combine the 1A8 antibody, specific for the mouse granulocyte protein Ly6G, with flow cytometric counting in straightforward FCM assays for mouse ANC, easily implementable in the research laboratory. Volumetric and Trucount™ bead assays were optimized for mouse neutrophils, and ANC values obtained with these protocols were compared to ANC measured by a dual-platform assay using the Orphee Mythic 18 veterinary haematology analyser. The single platform assays were more precise with decreased intra-assay variability compared with ANC obtained using the dual protocol. Defining ANC based on Ly6G expression produces a 15% higher estimate than the dual protocol. Allowing for this difference in ANC definition, the flow cytometry counting assays using Ly6G can be used reliably in the research laboratory to quantify mouse ANC from a small volume of blood. We demonstrate the utility of the volumetric protocol in a time-course study of chemotherapy induced neutropenia using four drug regimens. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

  17. Absolute quantification of regional renal blood flow in swine by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a blood pool contrast agent.

    PubMed

    Lüdemann, Lutz; Nafz, Benno; Elsner, Franz; Grosse-Siestrup, Christian; Meissler, Michael; Kaufels, Nicola; Rehbein, Hagen; Persson, Pontus B; Michaely, Henrik J; Lengsfeld, Philipp; Voth, Matthias; Gutberlet, Matthias

    2009-03-01

    To evaluate for the first time in an animal model the possibility of absolute regional quantification of renal medullary and cortical perfusion by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using a blood pool contrast agent. A total of 18 adult female pigs (age, 16-22 weeks; body weight, 45-65 kg; no dietary restrictions) were investigated by DCE-MRI. Absolute renal blood flow (RBF) measured by an ultrasound transit time flow probe around the renal vein was used as the standard of reference. An inflatable stainless cuff placed around the renal artery near its origin from the abdominal aorta was used to reduce RBF to 60%, 40%, and 20% of the baseline flow. The last measurement was performed with the cuff fully reopened. Absolute RBF values during these 4 perfusion states were compared with the results of DCE-MRI performed on a 1.5-T scanner with an 8-channel phased-array surface coil. All scans were acquired in breath-hold technique in the coronal plane using a field of view of 460 mm.Each dynamic scan commenced with a set of five 3D T1-weighted gradient echo sequences with different flip angles (alpha = 2 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees): TE, 0.88 milliseconds; TR, 2.65 milliseconds; slice thickness, 8.8 mm for 4 slices; acquisition matrix, 128 x 128; and acquisitions, 4. These data served to calculate 3D intrinsic longitudinal relaxation rate maps (R10) and magnetization (M0). Immediately after these images, the dynamic 3D T1-weighted gradient echo images were acquired with the same parameters and a constant alpha = 30 degrees, half Fourier, 1 acquisition, 64 frames, a time interval of 1.65 seconds between each frame, and a total duration of 105.6. Three milliliters of an albumin-binding blood pool contrast agent (0.25 mmol/mL gadofosveset trisodium, Vasovist, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany) was injected at a rate of 3 mL/s. Perfusion was calculated using the arterial input function from the aorta, which was

  18. Myocardial potency of Bio-tea against Isoproterenol induced myocardial damage in rats.

    PubMed

    Lobo, Reema Orison; Shenoy, Chandrakala K

    2015-07-01

    Kombucha (Bio-tea) is a beverage produced by the fermentation of sugared black tea using a symbiotic association of bacteria and yeasts. Traditional claims about Kombucha report beneficial effects such as antibiotic properties, gastric regulation, relief from joint rheumatism and positive influence on the cholesterol level, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and aging problems. The present investigation was carried out to understand the preventive effect of Kombucha on heart weight, blood glucose, total protein, lipid profile and cardiac markers in rats with myocardial damage induced using Isoproterenol. As Bio-tea is produced by fermenting tea, the parameters were compared in rats pre-treated with normal black tea and Bio-tea for 30 days followed by subcutaneous injection of Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight). Normal rats as well as Isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats were also used, which served as controls. Isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted control rats showed a significant increase in heart weight, blood glucose and cardiac markers and a decrease in plasma protein. Increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipids (LDL) and very low density lipids (VLDL) were also observed, while the high density lipid (HDL) content decreased. Bio-tea showed a higher preventive effect against myocardial infarction when compared to tea, as was observed by the significant reduction in heart weight, and blood glucose and increase in plasma albumin levels. Bio-tea significantly decreased cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL while simultaneously increasing the levels of HDL. Similarly a decrease in leakage of cardiac markers from the myocardium was also observed.

  19. Effects of respiratory alkalosis and acidosis on myocardial blood flow and metabolism in patients with coronary artery disease.

    PubMed

    Kazmaier, S; Weyland, A; Buhre, W; Stephan, H; Rieke, H; Filoda, K; Sonntag, H

    1998-10-01

    Variation of the arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) is not uncommon in anesthetic practice. However, little is known about the myocardial consequences of respiratory alkalosis and acidosis, particularly in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of variation in PaCO2 on myocardial blood flow (MBF), metabolism, and systemic hemodynamics in patients before elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In 10 male anesthetized patients, measurements of MBF, myocardial contractility, metabolism, and systemic hemodynamics were made in a randomized sequence at PaCO2 levels of 30, 40, and 50 mmHg, respectively. The MBF was measured using the Kety-Schmidt technique with argon as a tracer. End-diastolic left ventricular pressure and the maximal increase of left ventricular pressure were assessed using a manometer-tipped catheter. The cardiac index significantly changed with varying PaCO2 levels (hypocapnia, - 9%; hypercapnia, 13%). This reaction was associated with inverse changes in systemic vascular resistance index levels. The MBF significantly increased by 15% during hypercapnia, whereas no change was found during hypocapnia. Myocardial oxygen and glucose uptake and the maximal increase of left ventricular pressure were not affected by varying PaCO2 levels. In anesthetized patients with coronary artery disease, short-term variations in PaCO2 have significant effects on MBF but do not influence global myocardial oxygen and glucose uptake. Changes in systemic hemodynamics associated with respiratory alkalosis and acidosis are caused by changes in systemic vascular resistance rather than by alterations in myocardial contractility.

  20. Usefulness of myocardial parametric imaging to evaluate myocardial viability in experimental and in clinical studies

    PubMed Central

    Korosoglou, G; Hansen, A; Bekeredjian, R; Filusch, A; Hardt, S; Wolf, D; Schellberg, D; Katus, H A; Kuecherer, H

    2006-01-01

    Objective To evaluate whether myocardial parametric imaging (MPI) is superior to visual assessment for the evaluation of myocardial viability. Methods and results Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was assessed in 11 pigs before, during, and after left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and in 32 patients with ischaemic heart disease by using intravenous SonoVue administration. In experimental studies perfusion defect area assessment by MPI was compared with visually guided perfusion defect planimetry. Histological assessment of necrotic tissue was the standard reference. In clinical studies viability was assessed on a segmental level by (1) visual analysis of myocardial opacification; (2) quantitative estimation of myocardial blood flow in regions of interest; and (3) MPI. Functional recovery between three and six months after revascularisation was the standard reference. In experimental studies, compared with visually guided perfusion defect planimetry, planimetric assessment of infarct size by MPI correlated more significantly with histology (r2  =  0.92 versus r2  =  0.56) and had a lower intraobserver variability (4% v 15%, p < 0.05). In clinical studies, MPI had higher specificity (66% v 43%, p < 0.05) than visual MCE and good accuracy (81%) for viability detection. It was less time consuming (3.4 (1.6) v 9.2 (2.4) minutes per image, p < 0.05) than quantitative blood flow estimation by regions of interest and increased the agreement between observers interpreting myocardial perfusion (κ  =  0.87 v κ  =  0.75, p < 0.05). Conclusion MPI is useful for the evaluation of myocardial viability both in animals and in patients. It is less time consuming than quantification analysis by regions of interest and less observer dependent than visual analysis. Thus, strategies incorporating this technique may be valuable for the evaluation of myocardial viability in clinical routine. PMID:15939722

  1. Usefulness of myocardial parametric imaging to evaluate myocardial viability in experimental and in clinical studies.

    PubMed

    Korosoglou, G; Hansen, A; Bekeredjian, R; Filusch, A; Hardt, S; Wolf, D; Schellberg, D; Katus, H A; Kuecherer, H

    2006-03-01

    To evaluate whether myocardial parametric imaging (MPI) is superior to visual assessment for the evaluation of myocardial viability. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was assessed in 11 pigs before, during, and after left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and in 32 patients with ischaemic heart disease by using intravenous SonoVue administration. In experimental studies perfusion defect area assessment by MPI was compared with visually guided perfusion defect planimetry. Histological assessment of necrotic tissue was the standard reference. In clinical studies viability was assessed on a segmental level by (1) visual analysis of myocardial opacification; (2) quantitative estimation of myocardial blood flow in regions of interest; and (3) MPI. Functional recovery between three and six months after revascularisation was the standard reference. In experimental studies, compared with visually guided perfusion defect planimetry, planimetric assessment of infarct size by MPI correlated more significantly with histology (r2 = 0.92 versus r2 = 0.56) and had a lower intraobserver variability (4% v 15%, p < 0.05). In clinical studies, MPI had higher specificity (66% v 43%, p < 0.05) than visual MCE and good accuracy (81%) for viability detection. It was less time consuming (3.4 (1.6) v 9.2 (2.4) minutes per image, p < 0.05) than quantitative blood flow estimation by regions of interest and increased the agreement between observers interpreting myocardial perfusion (kappa = 0.87 v kappa = 0.75, p < 0.05). MPI is useful for the evaluation of myocardial viability both in animals and in patients. It is less time consuming than quantification analysis by regions of interest and less observer dependent than visual analysis. Thus, strategies incorporating this technique may be valuable for the evaluation of myocardial viability in clinical routine.

  2. Effects of Nitroglycerin on Regional Myocardial Blood Flow in Coronary Artery Disease

    PubMed Central

    Horwitz, Lawrence D.; Gorlin, Richard; Taylor, Warren J.; Kemp, Harvey G.

    1971-01-01

    Regional myocardial blood flow before and after sublingual nitroglycerin was measured in 10 patients with coronary artery disease. During thoracotomy, 133Xe was injected directly into the subepicardium in diseased regions of the anterior left ventricular wall, and washout rates were recorded with a scintillation counter. All disappearance curves were closely approximated by two exponential decays analyzed as two parallel flow systems by the compartmental method. The appearance of a double exponential decay pattern in diseased regions suggests that the slow phase was associated with collateral blood flow, although nonhomogeneous myocardium-to-blood partition coefficients for xenon cannot be excluded. Nitroglycerin increased the rapid phase flow in 9 of 10 patients and the slow flow in 7 of 10 patients. Average flow increased in 9 of the 10 patients (P < 0.01). Mean rapid phase flow in the control state was 110 ml/100 g per min and after nitroglycerin increased to 132 ml/100 g per min (P < 0.01); slow phase flow increased from 12 ml/100 g per min to 15 ml/100 g per min (P < 0.05). It is concluded that, under these conditions, nitroglycerin improves perfusion in regions of diseased myocardium in patients with coronary artery disease. PMID:4999635

  3. Myocardial blood flow reserve is impaired in patients with aortic valve calcification and unobstructed epicardial coronary arteries.

    PubMed

    Nel, Karen; Nam, Michael C Y; Anstey, Chris; Boos, Christopher J; Carlton, Edward; Senior, Roxy; Kaski, Juan Carlos; Khattab, Ahmed; Shamley, Delva; Byrne, Christopher D; Stanton, Tony; Greaves, Kim

    2017-12-01

    Although calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis, it is not known whether early CAVD is associated with coronary microcirculatory dysfunction (CMD). We sought to investigate the relationship between myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) - a measure of CMD, and early CAVD in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease. We also determined whether this relationship was independent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hs-CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation. 183 patients with chest pain and unobstructed coronary arteries were studied. Aortic valve calcification score (AVCS), coronary total plaque length (TPL), and coronary calcium score were quantified from multislice CT. MBFR was assessed using vasodilator myocardial contrast echocardiography. Hs-CRP was measured from venous blood using a particle-enhanced immunoassay. Mean (±SD) participant age was 59.8 (9.6) years. Mean AVCS was 68 (258) AU, TPL was 15.6 (22.2) mm, and median coronary calcification score was 43.5AU. Mean MBFR was 2.20 (0.52). Mean hs-CRP was 2.52 (3.86) mg/l. Multivariable linear regression modelling incorporating demographics, coronary plaque characteristics, MBFR, and inflammatory markers, demonstrated that age (β=0.05, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08, P=0.007), hs-CRP (β=0.09, CI: 0.02, 0.16, P=0.010) and diabetes (β=1.03, CI: 0.08, 1.98, P=0.033), were positively associated with AVCS. MBFR (β=-0.87, CI: -1.44, -0.30, P=0.003), BMI (β=-0.11, CI: -0.21, -0.01, P=0.033), and LDL (β=-0.32, CI: -0.61, -0.03, P=0.029) were negatively associated with AVCS. TPL and coronary calcium score were not independently associated with AVCS when included in the regression model. Coronary microvascular function as determined by measurement of myocardial blood flow reserve is independently associated with early CAVD. This effect is independent of the presence of coronary artery disease and also systemic inflammation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights

  4. Measurement of absolute myocardial blood flow in humans using dynamic cardiac SPECT and 99mTc-tetrofosmin: Method and validation

    DOE PAGES

    Shrestha, Uttam; Sciammarella, Maria; Alhassen, Fares; ...

    2015-12-29

    The objective of this study was to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) in humans using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Dynamic SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) was performed on a group of 16 patients. The SPECT data were reconstructed using a 4D-spatiotemporal iterative reconstruction method. The data corresponding to 9 patients were used to determine the flow-extraction curve for 99mTc-tefrofosmin while data from the remaining 7 patients were used for method validation. The nonlinear tracer correction parameters A and B for 99mTc-tefrofosmin were estimated for the 9 patients by fitting the flow-extraction curvemore » K 1 = F(1–Aexp(–B/F)) for K 1 values estimated with 99mTc-tefrofosmin using SPECT and MBF values estimated with 13N-NH 3 using PET. These parameters were then used to calculate MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in three coronary territories (LAD, RCA, and LCX) using SPECT for an independent cohort of 7 patients. The results were then compared with that estimated with 13N-NH 3 PET. The flow-dependent permeability surface-area product (PS) for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was also estimated. The estimated flow-extraction parameters for 99mTc-tefrofosmin were found to be A = 0.91 ± 0.11, B = 0.34 ± 0.20 (R 2 = 0.49). The range of MBF in LAD, RCA, and LCX was 0.44-3.81 mL/min/g. The MBF between PET and SPECT in the group of independent cohort of 7 patients showed statistically significant correlation, r = 0.71 (P < .001). However, the corresponding CFR correlation was moderate r = 0.39 yet statistically significant (P = .037). The PS for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was (0.019 ± 0.10)*MBF + (0.32 ± 0.16). Dynamic cardiac SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and a clinical two-headed SPECT/CT scanner can be a useful tool for estimation of MBF.« less

  5. Measurement of absolute myocardial blood flow in humans using dynamic cardiac SPECT and 99mTc-tetrofosmin: Method and validation.

    PubMed

    Shrestha, Uttam; Sciammarella, Maria; Alhassen, Fares; Yeghiazarians, Yerem; Ellin, Justin; Verdin, Emily; Boyle, Andrew; Seo, Youngho; Botvinick, Elias H; Gullberg, Grant T

    2017-02-01

    The objective of this study was to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) in humans using 99m Tc-tetrofosmin and dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Dynamic SPECT using 99m Tc-tetrofosmin and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) was performed on a group of 16 patients. The SPECT data were reconstructed using a 4D-spatiotemporal iterative reconstruction method. The data corresponding to 9 patients were used to determine the flow-extraction curve for 99m Tc-tefrofosmin while data from the remaining 7 patients were used for method validation. The nonlinear tracer correction parameters A and B for 99m Tc-tefrofosmin were estimated for the 9 patients by fitting the flow-extraction curve [Formula: see text] for K 1 values estimated with 99m Tc-tefrofosmin using SPECT and MBF values estimated with 13 N-NH 3 using PET. These parameters were then used to calculate MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in three coronary territories (LAD, RCA, and LCX) using SPECT for an independent cohort of 7 patients. The results were then compared with that estimated with 13 N-NH 3 PET. The flow-dependent permeability surface-area product (PS) for 99m Tc-tefrofosmin was also estimated. The estimated flow-extraction parameters for 99m Tc-tefrofosmin were found to be A = 0.91 ± 0.11, B = 0.34 ± 0.20 (R 2  = 0.49). The range of MBF in LAD, RCA, and LCX was 0.44-3.81 mL/min/g. The MBF between PET and SPECT in the group of independent cohort of 7 patients showed statistically significant correlation, r = 0.71 (P < .001). However, the corresponding CFR correlation was moderate r = 0.39 yet statistically significant (P = .037). The PS for 99m Tc-tefrofosmin was (0.019 ± 0.10)*MBF + (0.32 ± 0.16). Dynamic cardiac SPECT using 99m Tc-tetrofosmin and a clinical two-headed SPECT/CT scanner can be a useful tool for estimation of MBF.

  6. Measurement of Absolute Myocardial Blood Flow in Humans Using Dynamic Cardiac SPECT and 99mTc-tetrofosmin: Method and Validation

    PubMed Central

    Shrestha, Uttam; Sciammarella, Maria; Alhassen, Fares; Yeghiazarians, Yerem; Ellin, Justin; Verdin, Emily; Boyle, Andrew; Seo, Youngho; Botvinick, Elias H.; Gullberg, Grant T.

    2015-01-01

    Background The objective of this study was to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) in humans using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods Dynamic SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) was performed on a group of 16 patients. The SPECT data were reconstructed using a 4D-spatiotemporal iterative reconstruction method. The data corresponding to 9 patients were used to determine the flow-extraction curve for 99mTc-tefrofosmin while data from the remaining 7 patients were used for method validation. The nonlinear tracer correction parameters A and B for 99mTc-tefrofosmin were estimated for the 9 patients by fitting the flow-extraction curve K1=F(1−Aexp(−BF)) for K1 values estimated with 99mTc-tefrofosmin using SPECT and MBF values estimated with 13N-NH3 using PET. These parameters were then used to calculate MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in three coronary territories (LAD, RCA, and LCX) using SPECT for an independent cohort of 7 patients. The results were then compared with that estimated with 13N-NH3 PET. The flow dependent permeability surface-area product (PS) for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was also estimated. Results The estimated flow extraction parameters for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was found to be A=0.91±0.11, B=0.34±0.20 (R2 = 0.49). The range of MBF in LAD, RCA, and LCX was 0.44 ml/min/g to 3.81 ml/min/g. The MBF between PET and SPECT in the group of independent cohort of 7 patients showed statistically significant correlation, r = 0.71 (p < 0.001). However, the corresponding CFR correlation was moderate r = 0.39 yet statistically significant (p = 0.037). The PS for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was (0.091 ± 0.10) * MBF = (0.32 ± 0.16). Conclusions Dynamic cardiac SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and a clinical two-headed SPECT/CT scanner can be a useful tool for estimation of MBF. PMID:26715603

  7. Measurement of absolute myocardial blood flow in humans using dynamic cardiac SPECT and 99mTc-tetrofosmin: Method and validation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shrestha, Uttam; Sciammarella, Maria; Alhassen, Fares

    The objective of this study was to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) in humans using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Dynamic SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) was performed on a group of 16 patients. The SPECT data were reconstructed using a 4D-spatiotemporal iterative reconstruction method. The data corresponding to 9 patients were used to determine the flow-extraction curve for 99mTc-tefrofosmin while data from the remaining 7 patients were used for method validation. The nonlinear tracer correction parameters A and B for 99mTc-tefrofosmin were estimated for the 9 patients by fitting the flow-extraction curvemore » K 1 = F(1–Aexp(–B/F)) for K 1 values estimated with 99mTc-tefrofosmin using SPECT and MBF values estimated with 13N-NH 3 using PET. These parameters were then used to calculate MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in three coronary territories (LAD, RCA, and LCX) using SPECT for an independent cohort of 7 patients. The results were then compared with that estimated with 13N-NH 3 PET. The flow-dependent permeability surface-area product (PS) for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was also estimated. The estimated flow-extraction parameters for 99mTc-tefrofosmin were found to be A = 0.91 ± 0.11, B = 0.34 ± 0.20 (R 2 = 0.49). The range of MBF in LAD, RCA, and LCX was 0.44-3.81 mL/min/g. The MBF between PET and SPECT in the group of independent cohort of 7 patients showed statistically significant correlation, r = 0.71 (P < .001). However, the corresponding CFR correlation was moderate r = 0.39 yet statistically significant (P = .037). The PS for 99mTc-tefrofosmin was (0.019 ± 0.10)*MBF + (0.32 ± 0.16). Dynamic cardiac SPECT using 99mTc-tetrofosmin and a clinical two-headed SPECT/CT scanner can be a useful tool for estimation of MBF.« less

  8. Effect of spinal cord stimulation on myocardial perfusion reserve in patients with refractory angina pectoris.

    PubMed

    Saraste, Antti; Ukkonen, Heikki; Varis, Antti; Vasankari, Tuija; Tunturi, Satu; Taittonen, Markku; Rautakorpi, Pirkka; Luotolahti, Matti; Airaksinen, K E Juhani; Knuuti, Juhani

    2015-04-01

    Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) provides symptom relief in refractory angina pectoris, but its mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. We studied effects of short-term SCS therapy on myocardial ischaemia tolerance, myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR), and endothelium-mediated vasodilatation induced by cold pressor test (CPT) in patients with refractory angina pectoris. We prospectively recruited 18 patients with refractory angina pectoris and studied them after implantation of SCS device at baseline before starting the therapy and after 3 weeks of continuous SCS therapy. Myocardial ischaemia was evaluated by dobutamine stress echocardiography. Global and regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) were measured using positron emission tomography and (15)O-water at rest, during adenosine stress, and in response to CPT. Systemic haemodynamics were comparable before and after 3 weeks of SCS at rest, during adenosine stress and during CPT. Appearance of angina pectoris induced by dobutamine stress was delayed after SCS therapy. Global MPR increased (P = 0.02) from 1.7 ± 0.6 at baseline to 2.0 ± 0.6 after 3-week SCS therapy. This was associated with a significant reduction in global MBF at rest and increase in MBF induced by adenosine in the ischaemic regions. Global MBF response to CPT was improved after SCS (0.27 ± 0.20 vs. 0.40 ± 0.15, P = 0.03). Short-term SCS therapy improved myocardial ischaemia tolerance, absolute MPR, and endothelium-mediated vasomotor function in refractory angina pectoris, indicating that this therapy can alleviate myocardial perfusion abnormalities in advanced CAD. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2014. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  9. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance profiling of coronary atherosclerosis: vessel wall remodelling and related myocardial blood flow alterations.

    PubMed

    Jahnke, Cosima; Manka, Robert; Kozerke, Sebastian; Schnackenburg, Bernhard; Gebker, Rolf; Marx, Nikolaus; Paetsch, Ingo

    2014-12-01

    To determine the association between coronary vessel wall morphology and haemodynamic consequences to the myocardium using a combined cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocol. Non-invasive CMR profiling of coronary atherosclerotic wall changes and related myocardial blood flow impairment has not been established yet. Sixty-three patients (45 men, 61.5 ± 10.7 years) with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent 3.0 Tesla CMR imaging. The combined CMR protocol consisted of the following imaging modules at rest: 3D vessel wall imaging and flow measurement of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA), myocardial T2*, and first-pass perfusion imaging. During adenosine stress coronary flow, T2* and first-pass perfusion imaging were repeated. Coronary X-ray angiography classified patient groups: (i) all-smooth (n = 19); (ii) luminal irregular (diameter reduction < 30%; n = 35); and (iii) stenosed RCA (diameter reduction ≥ 50%; n = 9). The ratio of CMR-derived vessel wall area-to-lumen area significantly increased stepwise for the comparison of all-smooth vs. luminal irregular vs. stenosed RCA (1.9 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.01). Epicardial coronary flow reserve exhibited a stepwise significant decrease (3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3, P < 0.01). On the myocardial level, stress-induced percentage gain of T2* values (ΔT2*) was significantly decreased between groups (29.2 ± 10.6 vs. 9.0 ± 9.8 vs. 2.2 ± 11.8%, P < 0.01) while perfusion reserve index decreased in the presence of stenosed RCA only (2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3, P = ns and P < 0.01, respectively). The proposed comprehensive CMR imaging protocol provided a non-invasive approach for direct assessment of coronary vessel wall remodelling and resultant pathophysiological consequences on the level of epicardial coronary and myocardial blood flow in patients. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The

  10. Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Versus Visual Analysis in Diagnosing Myocardial Ischemia: A CE-MARC Substudy.

    PubMed

    Biglands, John D; Ibraheem, Montasir; Magee, Derek R; Radjenovic, Aleksandra; Plein, Sven; Greenwood, John P

    2018-05-01

    This study sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of visual and quantitative analyses of myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance against a reference standard of quantitative coronary angiography. Visual analysis of perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance studies for assessing myocardial perfusion has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy for coronary artery disease. However, only a few small studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative myocardial perfusion. This retrospective study included 128 patients randomly selected from the CE-MARC (Clinical Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Coronary Heart Disease) study population such that the distribution of risk factors and disease status was proportionate to the full population. Visual analysis results of cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion images, by consensus of 2 expert readers, were taken from the original study reports. Quantitative myocardial blood flow estimates were obtained using Fermi-constrained deconvolution. The reference standard for myocardial ischemia was a quantitative coronary x-ray angiogram stenosis severity of ≥70% diameter in any coronary artery of >2 mm diameter, or ≥50% in the left main stem. Diagnostic performance was calculated using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The area under the curve for visual analysis was 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.81 to 0.95) with a sensitivity of 81.0% (95% confidence interval: 69.1% to 92.8%) and specificity of 86.0% (95% confidence interval: 78.7% to 93.4%). For quantitative stress myocardial blood flow the area under the curve was 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 0.96) with a sensitivity of 87.5% (95% confidence interval: 77.3% to 97.7%) and specificity of 84.5% (95% confidence interval: 76.8% to 92.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between the diagnostic performance of quantitative and visual analyses (p = 0.72). Incorporating rest myocardial

  11. Synthetic Generation of Myocardial Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent MRI Time Series via Structural Sparse Decomposition Modeling

    PubMed Central

    Rusu, Cristian; Morisi, Rita; Boschetto, Davide; Dharmakumar, Rohan; Tsaftaris, Sotirios A.

    2014-01-01

    This paper aims to identify approaches that generate appropriate synthetic data (computer generated) for Cardiac Phase-resolved Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (CP–BOLD) MRI. CP–BOLD MRI is a new contrast agent- and stress-free approach for examining changes in myocardial oxygenation in response to coronary artery disease. However, since signal intensity changes are subtle, rapid visualization is not possible with the naked eye. Quantifying and visualizing the extent of disease relies on myocardial segmentation and registration to isolate the myocardium and establish temporal correspondences and ischemia detection algorithms to identify temporal differences in BOLD signal intensity patterns. If transmurality of the defect is of interest pixel-level analysis is necessary and thus a higher precision in registration is required. Such precision is currently not available affecting the design and performance of the ischemia detection algorithms. In this work, to enable algorithmic developments of ischemia detection irrespective to registration accuracy, we propose an approach that generates synthetic pixel-level myocardial time series. We do this by (a) modeling the temporal changes in BOLD signal intensity based on sparse multi-component dictionary learning, whereby segmentally derived myocardial time series are extracted from canine experimental data to learn the model; and (b) demonstrating the resemblance between real and synthetic time series for validation purposes. We envision that the proposed approach has the capacity to accelerate development of tools for ischemia detection while markedly reducing experimental costs so that cardiac BOLD MRI can be rapidly translated into the clinical arena for the noninvasive assessment of ischemic heart disease. PMID:24691119

  12. Synthetic generation of myocardial blood-oxygen-level-dependent MRI time series via structural sparse decomposition modeling.

    PubMed

    Rusu, Cristian; Morisi, Rita; Boschetto, Davide; Dharmakumar, Rohan; Tsaftaris, Sotirios A

    2014-07-01

    This paper aims to identify approaches that generate appropriate synthetic data (computer generated) for cardiac phase-resolved blood-oxygen-level-dependent (CP-BOLD) MRI. CP-BOLD MRI is a new contrast agent- and stress-free approach for examining changes in myocardial oxygenation in response to coronary artery disease. However, since signal intensity changes are subtle, rapid visualization is not possible with the naked eye. Quantifying and visualizing the extent of disease relies on myocardial segmentation and registration to isolate the myocardium and establish temporal correspondences and ischemia detection algorithms to identify temporal differences in BOLD signal intensity patterns. If transmurality of the defect is of interest pixel-level analysis is necessary and thus a higher precision in registration is required. Such precision is currently not available affecting the design and performance of the ischemia detection algorithms. In this work, to enable algorithmic developments of ischemia detection irrespective to registration accuracy, we propose an approach that generates synthetic pixel-level myocardial time series. We do this by 1) modeling the temporal changes in BOLD signal intensity based on sparse multi-component dictionary learning, whereby segmentally derived myocardial time series are extracted from canine experimental data to learn the model; and 2) demonstrating the resemblance between real and synthetic time series for validation purposes. We envision that the proposed approach has the capacity to accelerate development of tools for ischemia detection while markedly reducing experimental costs so that cardiac BOLD MRI can be rapidly translated into the clinical arena for the noninvasive assessment of ischemic heart disease.

  13. The impact of prompt gamma compensation on myocardial blood flow measurements with rubidium-82 dynamic PET.

    PubMed

    Armstrong, Ian S; Memmott, Matthew J; Tonge, Christine M; Arumugam, Parthiban

    2018-04-01

    Rubidium-82 myocardial perfusion imaging is a well-established technique for assessing myocardial ischemia. With continuing interest on myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements, there is a requirement to fully appreciate the impact of technical aspects of the process. One such factor for rubidium-82 is prompt gamma compensation (PGC). This study aims to assess the impact of PGC on MBF and MFR calculated from dynamic Rb-82 data. Dynamic rest and stress images were acquired on a Siemens Biograph mCT and reconstructed with and without PGC in 50 patients (29 male). MBF and MFR were measured in the three main coronary territories as well as globally. With PGC, statistically significant reductions in MBF were observed in LAD (-6.9%), LCx (-4.8%), and globally (-6.5%) but only in obese patients. Significant increases in MBF were observed in RCA (+6.4%) in only nonobese patients. In very obese patients, differences of up to 40% in MBF were observed between PGC and non-PGC images. In nearly all cases, similar PGC differences were observed at stress and rest so there were no significant differences in MFR; however, in a small number of very obese patients, differences in excess of 20% were observed. PGC results in statistically significant changes in MBF, with the greatest reductions observed in the LAD and LCx territories of obese patients. In most cases, the impact on stress and rest data is of similar relative magnitudes and changes to MFR are small.

  14. VALSARTAN REGULATES MYOCARDIAL AUTOPHAGY AND MITOCHONDRIAL TURNOVER IN EXPERIMENTAL HYPERTENSION

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Xin; Li, Zi-Lun; Crane, John A.; Jordan, Kyra L.; Pawar, Aditya S.; Textor, Stephen C.; Lerman, Amir; Lerman, Lilach O.

    2014-01-01

    Renovascular hypertension alters cardiac structure and function. Autophagy is activated during left ventricular hypertrophy and linked to adverse cardiac function. The Angiotensin II receptor blocker Valsartan lowers blood pressure and is cardioprotective, but whether it modulates autophagy in the myocardium is unclear. We hypothesized that Valsartan would alleviate autophagy and improve left ventricular myocardial mitochondrial turnover in swine renovascular hypertension. Domestic pigs were randomized to control, unilateral renovascular hypertension, and renovascular hypertension treated with Valsartan (320 mg/day) or conventional triple therapy (Reserpine+hydralazine+hydrochlorothiazide) for 4 weeks post 6-weeks of renovascular hypertension (n=7 each group). Left ventricular remodeling, function and myocardial oxygenation and microcirculation were assessed by multi-detector computer tomography, blood-oxygen-level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging and microcomputer tomography. Myocardial autophagy, markers for mitochondrial degradation and biogenesis, and mitochondrial respiratory-chain proteins were examined ex vivo. Renovascular hypertension induced left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial hypoxia, enhanced cellular autophagy and mitochondrial degradation, and suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis. Valsartan and triple therapy similarly decreased blood pressure, but Valsartan solely alleviated left ventricular hypertrophy, ameliorated myocardial autophagy and mitophagy, and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. In contrast, triple therapy only slightly attenuated autophagy and preserved mitochondrial proteins, but elicited no improvement in mitophagy. These data suggest a novel potential role of Valsartan in modulating myocardial autophagy and mitochondrial turnover in renovascular hypertension-induced hypertensive heart disease, which may possibly bolster cardiac repair via a blood pressure-independent manner. PMID:24752430

  15. Further insights into blood pressure induced premature beats: Transient depolarizations are associated with fast myocardial deformation upon pressure decline.

    PubMed

    Haemers, Peter; Sutherland, George; Cikes, Maja; Jakus, Nina; Holemans, Patricia; Sipido, Karin R; Willems, Rik; Claus, Piet

    2015-11-01

    An acute increase in blood pressure is associated with the occurrence of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). We aimed to study the timing of these PVCs with respect to afterload-induced changes in myocardial deformation in a controlled, preclinically relevant, novel closed-chest pig model. An acute left ventricular (LV) afterload challenge was induced by partial balloon inflation in the descending aorta, lasting 5-10 heartbeats (8 pigs; 396 inflations). Balloon inflation enhanced the reflected wave (augmentation index 30% ± 8% vs 59% ± 6%; P < .001), increasing systolic central blood pressure by 35% ± 4%. This challenge resulted in a more abrupt LV pressure decline, which was delayed beyond ventricular repolarization (rate of pressure decline 0.16 ± 0.01 mm Hg/s vs 0.27 ± 0.04 mm Hg/ms; P < .001 and interval T-wave to peak pressure 1 ± 12 ms vs 36 ± 9 ms; P = .008), during which the velocity of myocardial shortening at the basal septum increased abruptly (ie, postsystolic shortening) (peak strain rate -0.6 ± 0.5 s(-1) vs -2.5 ± 0.8 s(-1); P < .001). It is exactly at this time of LV pressure decline, with increased postsystolic shortening, and not at peak pressure, that PVCs occur (22% of inflations). These PVCs preferentially occurred at the basal and apical segments. In the same regions, monophasic action potentials demonstrated the appearance of delayed afterdepolarization-like transient depolarizations as origin of PVCs. An acute blood pressure increase results in a more abrupt LV pressure decline, which is delayed after ventricular repolarization. This has a profound effect on myocardial mechanics with enhanced postsystolic shortening. Coincidence with induced transient depolarizations and PVCs provides support for the mechanoelectrical origin of pressure-induced premature beats. Copyright © 2015 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Noninvasive MRI measurement of the absolute cerebral blood volume-cerebral blood flow relationship during visual stimulation in healthy humans.

    PubMed

    Ciris, Pelin Aksit; Qiu, Maolin; Constable, R Todd

    2014-09-01

    The relationship between cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) underlies blood oxygenation level-dependent functional MRI signal. This study investigates the potential for improved characterization of the CBV-CBF relationship in humans, and examines sex effects as well as spatial variations in the CBV-CBF relationship. Healthy subjects were imaged noninvasively at rest and during visual stimulation, constituting the first MRI measurement of the absolute CBV-CBF relationship in humans with complete coverage of the functional areas of interest. CBV and CBF estimates were consistent with the literature, and their relationship varied both spatially and with sex. In a region of interest with stimulus-induced activation in CBV and CBF at a significance level of the P < 0.05, a power function fit resulted in CBV = 2.1 CBF(0.32) across all subjects, CBV = 0.8 CBF(0.51) in females and CBV = 4.4 CBF(0.15) in males. Exponents decreased in both sexes as ROIs were expanded to include less significantly activated regions. Consideration for potential sex-related differences, as well as regional variations under a range of physiological states, may reconcile some of the variation across literature and advance our understanding of the underlying cerebrovascular physiology. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Regional Myocardial Blood Flow and Ultrastructure Following Acute Temporary Ischemia.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-01-01

    relationship of vascular injury and myocardial hemorrhage to necrosis after reperfusion. Circulation 62:1274-1279 39. Flores J, DiBona DR, Beck CH, Leaf A...the reptilian and amphibian circulations. Anat Rec 3:75-109 87. Powell WF, Flores J, DiBona DR, Leaf A (1973) The role of cell swelling in myocardial

  18. [Comparison of initial and delayed myocardial imaging with beta-methyl-p-[123I]-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid in acute myocardial infarction].

    PubMed

    Naruse, H; Yoshimura, N; Yamamoto, J; Morita, M; Fukutake, N; Ohyanagi, M; Iwasaki, T; Fukuchi, M

    1994-01-01

    Myocardial imaging using beta-methyl-p-[123I]-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) of 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction was performed to assess "fill-in" and "washout" defects in the delayed myocardial image. The initial and delayed images were evaluated by a visual and quantitative washout rate method. Visual judgement found 8/180 (4%) segments showed "fill-in" defects, and 24/180 segments (13%) showed "washout" defects. There was no relationship between days from onset to the study and the frequency of fill-in and washout defects. The mean washout rate in the segments with "fill-in" defects was 9.0 +/- 16.6%, and that of "washout" defects was 24.9 +/- 18.1% which was significantly higher than in controls (8.7 +/- 15.4%, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between mean washout rate and total blood lipids, total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol. Therefore, neither time from onset nor blood lipids level was related to changes from the initial image to the delayed image. These changes may be due to relative (false) findings due to changes in circumference, and may be based on myocardial characteristics after myocardial infarction and/or reperfusion.

  19. Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in incidence of acute myocardial infarction: a cohort study quantifying age- and gender-specific differences in relative and absolute terms.

    PubMed

    Koopman, Carla; van Oeffelen, Aloysia A M; Bots, Michiel L; Engelfriet, Peter M; Verschuren, W M Monique; van Rossem, Lenie; van Dis, Ineke; Capewell, Simon; Vaartjes, Ilonca

    2012-08-07

    Socioeconomic status has a profound effect on the risk of having a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Information on socioeconomic inequalities in AMI incidence across age-gender-groups is lacking. Our objective was to examine socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of AMI considering both relative and absolute measures of risk differences, with a particular focus on age and gender. We identified all patients with a first AMI from 1997 to 2007 through linked hospital discharge and death records covering the Dutch population. Relative risks (RR) of AMI incidence were estimated by mean equivalent household income at neighbourhood-level for strata of age and gender using Poisson regression models. Socioeconomic inequalities were also shown within the stratified age-gender groups by calculating the total number of events attributable to socioeconomic disadvantage. Between 1997 and 2007, 317,564 people had a first AMI. When comparing the most deprived socioeconomic quintile with the most affluent quintile, the overall RR for AMI was 1.34 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.32-1.36) in men and 1.44 (95 % CI: 1.42-1.47) in women. The socioeconomic gradient decreased with age. Relative socioeconomic inequalities were most apparent in men under 35 years and in women under 65 years. The largest number of events attributable to socioeconomic inequalities was found in men aged 45-74 years and in women aged 65-84 years. The total proportion of AMIs that was attributable to socioeconomic inequalities in the Dutch population of 1997 to 2007 was 14 % in men and 18 % in women. Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities were observed in AMI incidence in the Netherlands, but the magnitude across age-gender groups depended on whether inequality was expressed in relative or absolute terms. Relative socioeconomic inequalities were high in young persons and women, where the absolute burden of AMI was low. Absolute socioeconomic inequalities in AMI were highest in

  20. The effects of graded changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide tension on coronary blood velocity independent of myocardial energy demand.

    PubMed

    Boulet, Lindsey M; Stembridge, Mike; Tymko, Michael M; Tremblay, Joshua C; Foster, Glen E

    2016-08-01

    In humans, coronary blood flow is tightly regulated by microvessels within the myocardium to match myocardial energy demand. However, evidence regarding inherent sensitivity of the microvessels to changes in arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen is conflicting because of the accompanied changes in myocardial energy requirements. This study aimed to investigate the changes in coronary blood velocity while manipulating partial pressures of end-tidal CO2 (Petco2) and O2 (Peto2). It was hypothesized that an increase in Petco2 (hypercapnia) or decrease in Peto2 (hypoxia) would result in a significant increase in mean blood velocity in the left anterior descending artery (LADVmean) due to an increase in both blood gases and energy demand associated with the concomitant cardiovascular response. Cardiac energy demand was assessed through noninvasive measurement of the total left ventricular mechanical energy. Healthy subjects (n = 13) underwent a euoxic CO2 test (Petco2 = -8, -4, 0, +4, and +8 mmHg from baseline) and an isocapnic hypoxia test (Peto2 = 64, 52, and 45 mmHg). LADVmean was assessed using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Hypercapnia evoked a 34.6 ± 8.5% (mean ± SE; P < 0.01) increase in mean LADVmean, whereas hypoxia increased LADVmean by 51.4 ± 8.8% (P < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regressions revealed that both mechanical energy and changes in arterial blood gases are important contributors to the observed changes in LADVmean (P < 0.01). In summary, regulation of the coronary vasculature in humans is mediated by metabolic changes within the heart and an inherent sensitivity to arterial blood gases. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  1. Myocardial uptake and kinetic properties of technetium-99m-Q3 in dogs

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gerson, M.C.; Millard, R.W.; McGoron, A.J.

    1994-10-01

    We postulated that {sup 99m}Tc-Q3, a cationic imaging agent, produces myocardial activity related to myocardial blood flow during myocardial ischemia and pharmacologic coronary artery vasodilation, and shows little or no myocardial redistribution over 4 hr after intravenous injection. In six Group 1 dogs, the chest was opened, the left circumflex coronary artery was acutely ligated, and dipyridamole (0.32, 0.56 or 0.84 mg/kg) was infused into the right atrium, followed by 10 mCi of {sup 99m}Tc-Q3. Myocardial blood flow was measured by radiolabeled microspheres. The animals were euthanized and 357 myocardial samples were assayed in a well counter for {sup 99m}Tcmore » activity. One week later, radiolabeled microsphere activity was counted and myocardial blood flow calculated. In nine Group 2 dogs, a variable occluder was placed around the left circumflex coronary artery and an ischemic level of circumflex blood flow was maintained constant over 4 hr as measured by an ultrasonic flow meter. Dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) was then infused into the right atrium followed by 10mCi of {sup 99m}Tc-Q3. Gamma camera images were acquired at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min following k{sup 99m}Tc-Q3 injection. Microsphere blood flow and endocardial biopsies (n - 6 dogs) were performed at 30, 60, 120 and 240 min following {sup 99m}TcQ3 injection. 31 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.« less

  2. Regulation of myocardial blood flow response to mental stress in healthy individuals.

    PubMed

    Schöder, H; Silverman, D H; Campisi, R; Sayre, J W; Phelps, M E; Schelbert, H R; Czernin, J

    2000-02-01

    Mental stress testing has been proposed as a noninvasive tool to evaluate endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion. In patients with coronary artery disease, mental stress can induce myocardial ischemia. However, even the determinants of the physiological myocardial blood flow (MBF) response to mental stress are poorly understood. Twenty-four individuals (12 males/12 females, mean age 49 +/- 13 yr, range 31-74 yr) with a low likelihood for coronary artery disease were studied. Serum catecholamines, cardiac work, and MBF (measured quantitatively with N-13 ammonia and positron emission tomography) were assessed. During mental stress (arithmetic calculation) MBF increased significantly from 0.70 +/- 0.14 to 0.92 +/- 0.21 ml x min(-1) x g(-1) (P < 0.01). Mental stress caused significant increases (P < 0.01) in serum epinephrine (26 +/- 16 vs. 42 +/- 17 pg/ml), norepinephrine (272 +/- 139 vs. 322 +/- 136 pg/ml), and cardiac work [rate-pressure product (RPP) 8,011 +/- 1,884 vs. 10,416 +/- 2,711]. Stress-induced changes in cardiac work were correlated with changes in MBF (r = 0.72; P < 0.01). Multiple-regression analysis revealed stress-induced changes in the RPP as the only significant (P = 0.0001) predictor for the magnitude of mental stress-induced increases in MBF in healthy individuals. Data from this group of healthy individuals should prove useful to investigate coronary vasomotion in individuals at risk for or with documented coronary artery disease.

  3. Dark-Blood Delayed Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance of Myocardial Infarction.

    PubMed

    Kim, Han W; Rehwald, Wolfgang G; Jenista, Elizabeth R; Wendell, David C; Filev, Peter; van Assche, Lowie; Jensen, Christoph J; Parker, Michele A; Chen, Enn-Ling; Crowley, Anna Lisa C; Klem, Igor; Judd, Robert M; Kim, Raymond J

    2017-12-08

    This study introduced and validated a novel flow-independent delayed enhancement technique that shows hyperenhanced myocardium while simultaneously suppressing blood-pool signal. The diagnosis and assessment of myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial in determining clinical management and prognosis. Although delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) is an in vivo reference standard for imaging MI, an important limitation is poor delineation between hyperenhanced myocardium and bright LV cavity blood-pool, which may cause many infarcts to become invisible. A canine model with pathology as the reference standard was used for validation (n = 22). Patients with MI and normal controls were studied to ascertain clinical performance (n = 31). In canines, the flow-independent dark-blood delayed enhancement (FIDDLE) technique was superior to conventional DE-CMR for the detection of MI, with higher sensitivity (96% vs. 85%, respectively; p = 0.002) and accuracy (95% vs. 87%, respectively; p = 0.01) and with similar specificity (92% vs, 92%, respectively; p = 1.0). In infarcts that were identified by both techniques, the entire length of the endocardial border between infarcted myocardium and adjacent blood-pool was visualized in 33% for DE-CMR compared with 100% for FIDDLE. There was better agreement for FIDDLE-measured infarct size than for DE-CMR infarct size (95% limits-of-agreement, 2.1% vs. 5.5%, respectively; p < 0.0001). In patients, findings were similar. FIDDLE demonstrated higher accuracy for diagnosis of MI than DE-CMR (100% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 89% to 100%] vs. 84% [95% CI: 66% to 95%], respectively; p = 0.03). The study introduced and validated a novel CMR technique that improves the discrimination of the border between infarcted myocardium and adjacent blood-pool. This dark-blood technique provides diagnostic performance that is superior to that of the current in vivo reference standard for the imaging diagnosis of MI

  4. Ex-vivo expanded umbilical cord blood stem cells retain capacity for myocardial regeneration.

    PubMed

    Schlechta, Bernhard; Wiedemann, Dominik; Kittinger, Clemens; Jandrositz, Anita; Bonaros, Nikolaos E; Huber, Johannes C; Preisegger, Karl-Heinz; Kocher, Alfred A

    2010-01-01

    Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of human hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs), a stem cell (SC) type that has been used in several trials for myocardial repair. A certain minimal number of cells is required for measurable regeneration and a major challenge of SC-based regenerative therapy constitutes ex-vivo expansion of the primitive cell compartment. The aim of this study was to investigate the ex-vivo expansion potential of UCB-derived HPCs and the ability of these expanded cells to migrate to the site of damage and improve ventricular function in a rodent model of myocardial infarction (MI). UCB-derived HPCs, defined by coexpression of CD133 and CD34, were expanded using various cytokine combinations. MI was induced by left anterior descending artery ligation in nude rats. Cells were injected intravenously 2 days after infarction. The combination of SC factor, thrombopoietin, flt3-ligand and interleukin-6 was found to be the most effective for inducing proliferation of HPCs. The migratory capacity of expanded HPCs was similar to that of non-expanded HPCs and improvement of ejection fraction was significant in both groups, with a relative increase of >60%. UCB-derived HPCs can be reproducibly expanded ex-vivo and retain their potential to improve cardiac function post-MI. (Circ J 2010; 74: 188 - 194).

  5. Relationship between residual blood flow in the infarct-related artery and scintigraphic infarct size, myocardial salvage, and functional recovery in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Ndrepepa, Gjin; Kastrati, Adnan; Schwaiger, Markus; Mehilli, Julinda; Markwardt, Christina; Dibra, Alban; Dirschinger, Josef; Schömig, Albert

    2005-11-01

    In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before primary coronary stenting with adjunct glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade, whether residual blood flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) affects infarct size or myocardial salvage is not known. This study included 118 patients with ST-segment elevation AMI who received coronary stenting plus abciximab. SPECT studies were performed before and 7-14 d after stenting. Patients were divided into a group with initial Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade < or = 1 (77 patients) and a group with initial TIMI flow grade > 1 (41 patients). The initial median perfusion defect and (in brackets) the 25th and 75th percentiles were 29.1% [21.0%; 52.0%] of the left ventricle in patients with TIMI flow grade < or = 1, versus 16.5% [8.0%; 33.1%] of the left ventricle in patients with TIMI flow grade > 1 (P < 0.001). Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (54.0% [45.0; 63.0] vs. 57.0% [40.0; 62.0], P = 0.623) or extension of hypokinetic region (28.0 [14.0; 41.0] hypokinetic chords vs. 24.0 [13.0; 39.0] hypokinetic chords, P = 0.643) did not differ significantly between the group with TIMI flow grade < or = 1 and the group with TIMI flow grade > 1. Final infarct size was 11.0% [6.1%; 23.5%] of the left ventricle in the group with TIMI flow grade < = 1, versus 6.0% [2.0%; 12.8%] of the left ventricle in the group with TIMI flow > 1 (P = 0.008). Salvage index was 0.58 [0.38; 0.76] in the group with TIMI flow grade < or = 1, versus 0.61 [0.36; 0.74] in the group with TIMI flow grade > 1 (P = 0.952). At the day 14 angiography, patients with TIMI flow grade > 1 had better left ventricular ejection fraction (61.0% [54.0%; 68.0%] vs. 56.5% [42.9%; 65.0%]; P = 0.03) and a smaller hypokinetic region (7 chords [0; 22.0] vs. 16 chords [2.5; 30.0]; P = 0.024) than did patients with TIMI flow grade < or = 1. Preserved blood flow in the IRA in patients with AMI is associated with a smaller area at risk, a

  6. Non-Invasive Method of Determining Absolute Intracranial Pressure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, John H., Jr. (Inventor); Hargens, Alan E. (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    A method is presented for determining absolute intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. Skull expansion is monitored while changes in ICP are induced. The patient's blood pressure is measured when skull expansion is approximately zero. The measured blood pressure is indicative of a reference ICP value. Subsequently, the method causes a known change in ICP and measured the change in skull expansion associated therewith. The absolute ICP is a function of the reference ICP value, the known change in ICP and its associated change in skull expansion; and a measured change in skull expansion.

  7. Test-Retest Repeatability of Myocardial Blood Flow Measurements using Rubidium-82 Positron Emission Tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Efseaff, Matthew

    Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has been proposed for routine myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification. Few studies have investigated the test-retest repeatability of this method. Same-day repeatability of rest MBF imaging was optimized with a highly automated analysis program using image-derived input functions and a dual spillover correction (SOC). The effects of heterogeneous tracer infusion profiles and subject hemodynamics on test-retest repeatability were investigated at rest and during hyperemic stress. Factors affecting rest MBF repeatability included gender, suspected coronary artery disease, and dual SOC (p < 0.001). The best repeatability coefficient for same-day rest MBF was 0.20 mL/min/g using a six-minute scan-time, iterative reconstruction, dual SOC, resting rate-pressure-product (RPP) adjustment, and a left atrium image-derived input function. The serial study repeatabilities of the optimized protocol in subjects with homogeneous RPPs and tracer infusion profiles was 0.19 and 0.53 mL/min/g at rest and stress, and 0.95 for stress / rest myocardial flow reserve (MFR). Subjects with heterogeneous tracer infusion profiles and hemodynamic conditions had significantly less repeatable MBF measurements at rest, stress, and stress/rest flow reserve (p < 0.05).

  8. Increase in mean platelet volume in patients with myocardial bridge.

    PubMed

    Bilen, Emine; Tanboga, Ibrahim Halil; Kurt, Mustafa; Kocak, Umran; Ayhan, Huseyin; Keles, Telat; Bozkurt, Engin

    2013-01-01

    Myocardial bridge is associated with atherosclerosis altered in shear stress and endothelial dysfunction. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is shown to be related with atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to evaluate platelet function assessed by MPV in patients with myocardial bridge. Forty-two patients with myocardial bridge in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and 43 age- and gender-matched healthy participants were included in the study. Myocardial bridging was defined as an intramyocardial systolic compression or milking of a segment of an epicardial coronary artery on angiography. For the entire study population, MPV was measured using an automatic blood counter. The study population consisted of 42 patients with myocardial bridge (52.7 ± 10.2, 76.2% male) and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants (52.1 ± 10.4, 74.4% male). Compared to the control group, MPV value was significantly higher in patients with myocardial bridge (8.9 ± 1.24 vs 8.3 ± 0.78; P = .01). Further, there were no significant differences between groups regarding hemoglobin level, platelet count, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels. Our study findings indicated that myocardial bridge is associated with elevated MPV values. Our results might partly explain the increased cardiovascular events in patients with myocardial bridge.

  9. DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes induced by two-day 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

    PubMed

    Rief, Matthias; Hartmann, Lisa; Geisel, Dominik; Richter, Felicitas; Brenner, Winfried; Dewey, Marc

    2018-07-01

    To investigate DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in blood lymphocytes induced by two-day 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) using y-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy and to correlate the results with 99m Tc activity in blood samples. Eleven patients who underwent two-day MPS were included. DSB blood sampling was performed before and 5min, 1h and 24h after the first and second radiotracer injections. 99m Tc activity was measured in each blood sample. For immunofluorescence microscopy, distinct foci representing DSBs were quantified in lymphocytes after staining for the phosphorylated histone variant y-H2AX. The 99m Tc-MIBI activity measured on days one and two was similar (254±25 and 258±27 MBq; p=0.594). Compared with baseline DSB foci (0.09±0.05/cell), a significant increase was found at 5min (0.19±0.04/cell) and 1h (0.18±0.04/cell) after the first injection and at 5min and 1h after the second injection (0.21±0.03 and 0.19±0.04/cell, respectively; p=0.003 for both). At 24h after the first and second injections, the number of DSB foci had returned to baseline (0.06±0.02 and 0.12±0.05/cell, respectively). 99m Tc activity levels in peripheral blood samples correlated well with DSB counts (r=0.451). DSB counts reflect 99m Tc-MIBI activity after injection for two-day MPS, and might allow individual monitoring of biological effects of cardiac nuclear imaging. • Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using 99m Tc induces time-dependent double-strand breaks (DSBs) • γ-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy shows DSB as an early response to radiotracer injection • Activity measurements of 99m Tc correlate well with detected DSB • DSB foci induced by 99m Tc return to baseline 24h after radiotracer injection.

  10. A Prospective International Multicentre Cohort Study of Intraoperative Heart Rate and Systolic Blood Pressure and Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: Results of the VISION Study

    PubMed Central

    Abbott, Tom E. F.; Pearse, Rupert M.; Archbold, R. Andrew; Ahmad, Tahania; Niebrzegowska, Edyta; Wragg, Andrew; Rodseth, Reitze N.; Devereaux, Philip J.

    2018-01-01

    BACKGROUND: The association between intraoperative cardiovascular changes and perioperative myocardial injury has chiefly focused on hypotension during noncardiac surgery. However, the relative influence of blood pressure and heart rate (HR) remains unclear. We investigated both individual and codependent relationships among intraoperative HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS). METHODS: Secondary analysis of the Vascular Events in Noncardiac Surgery Cohort Evaluation (VISION) study, a prospective international cohort study of noncardiac surgical patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis tested for associations between intraoperative HR and/or SBP and MINS, defined by an elevated serum troponin T adjudicated as due to an ischemic etiology, within 30 days after surgery. Predefined thresholds for intraoperative HR and SBP were: maximum HR >100 beats or minimum HR <55 beats per minute (bpm); maximum SBP >160 mm Hg or minimum SBP <100 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction and mortality within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: After excluding missing data, 1197 of 15,109 patients (7.9%) sustained MINS, 454 of 16,031 (2.8%) sustained myocardial infarction, and 315 of 16,061 patients (2.0%) died within 30 days after surgery. Maximum intraoperative HR >100 bpm was associated with MINS (odds ratio [OR], 1.27 [1.07–1.50]; P < .01), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.34 [1.05–1.70]; P = .02), and mortality (OR, 2.65 [2.06–3.41]; P < .01). Minimum SBP <100 mm Hg was associated with MINS (OR, 1.21 [1.05–1.39]; P = .01) and mortality (OR, 1.81 [1.39–2.37]; P < .01), but not myocardial infarction (OR, 1.21 [0.98–1.49]; P = .07). Maximum SBP >160 mm Hg was associated with MINS (OR, 1.16 [1.01–1.34]; P = .04) and myocardial infarction (OR, 1.34 [1.09–1.64]; P = .01) but, paradoxically, reduced mortality (OR, 0.76 [0.58–0.99]; P = .04). Minimum HR <55 bpm was associated with reduced MINS (OR, 0

  11. Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in incidence of acute myocardial infarction: a cohort study quantifying age- and gender-specific differences in relative and absolute terms

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Socioeconomic status has a profound effect on the risk of having a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Information on socioeconomic inequalities in AMI incidence across age- gender-groups is lacking. Our objective was to examine socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of AMI considering both relative and absolute measures of risk differences, with a particular focus on age and gender. Methods We identified all patients with a first AMI from 1997 to 2007 through linked hospital discharge and death records covering the Dutch population. Relative risks (RR) of AMI incidence were estimated by mean equivalent household income at neighbourhood-level for strata of age and gender using Poisson regression models. Socioeconomic inequalities were also shown within the stratified age-gender groups by calculating the total number of events attributable to socioeconomic disadvantage. Results Between 1997 and 2007, 317,564 people had a first AMI. When comparing the most deprived socioeconomic quintile with the most affluent quintile, the overall RR for AMI was 1.34 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.32 – 1.36) in men and 1.44 (95 % CI: 1.42 – 1.47) in women. The socioeconomic gradient decreased with age. Relative socioeconomic inequalities were most apparent in men under 35 years and in women under 65 years. The largest number of events attributable to socioeconomic inequalities was found in men aged 45–74 years and in women aged 65–84 years. The total proportion of AMIs that was attributable to socioeconomic inequalities in the Dutch population of 1997 to 2007 was 14 % in men and 18 % in women. Conclusions Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities were observed in AMI incidence in the Netherlands, but the magnitude across age-gender groups depended on whether inequality was expressed in relative or absolute terms. Relative socioeconomic inequalities were high in young persons and women, where the absolute burden of AMI was low. Absolute

  12. Myocardial protection during minimally invasive cardiac surgery through right mini-thoracotomy.

    PubMed

    De Palo, Micaela; Guida, Pietro; Mastro, Florinda; Nanna, Daniela; Quagliara, Teresa A P; Rociola, Ruggiero; Lionetti, Giosuè; Paparella, Domenico

    2017-04-01

    Myocardial damage is an independent predictor of adverse outcome following cardiac surgery and myocardial protection is one of the key factors to achieve successful outcomes. Cardioplegia with Custodiol is currently the most used cardioplegia during minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). Different randomized controlled trials compared blood and Custodiol cardioplegia in the context of traditional cardiac surgery. No data are available for MICS. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of cold blood versus Custodiol cardioplegia during MICS. We retrospectively evaluated 90 patients undergoing MICS through a right mini-thoracotomy in a three-year period. Myocardial protection was performed using cold blood (44 patients, CBC group) or Custodiol (46 patients, Custodiol group) cardioplegia, based on surgeon preference and complexity of surgery. The primary outcomes were post-operative cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase MB (CKMB) serum release and the incidence of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome (LCOS). Aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were higher in the Custodiol group. No difference was observed in myocardial injury enzyme release (peak cTnI value was 18±46 ng/ml in CBC and 21±37 ng/ml in Custodiol; p=0.245). No differences were observed for mortality, LCOS, atrial or ventricular arrhythmias onset, transfusions, mechanical ventilation time duration, intensive care unit and total hospital stay. Custodiol and cold blood cardioplegic solutions seem to assure similar myocardial protection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery through a right mini-thoracotomy approach.

  13. Myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance: optimized dual sequence and reconstruction for quantification.

    PubMed

    Kellman, Peter; Hansen, Michael S; Nielles-Vallespin, Sonia; Nickander, Jannike; Themudo, Raquel; Ugander, Martin; Xue, Hui

    2017-04-07

    Quantification of myocardial blood flow requires knowledge of the amount of contrast agent in the myocardial tissue and the arterial input function (AIF) driving the delivery of this contrast agent. Accurate quantification is challenged by the lack of linearity between the measured signal and contrast agent concentration. This work characterizes sources of non-linearity and presents a systematic approach to accurate measurements of contrast agent concentration in both blood and myocardium. A dual sequence approach with separate pulse sequences for AIF and myocardial tissue allowed separate optimization of parameters for blood and myocardium. A systems approach to the overall design was taken to achieve linearity between signal and contrast agent concentration. Conversion of signal intensity values to contrast agent concentration was achieved through a combination of surface coil sensitivity correction, Bloch simulation based look-up table correction, and in the case of the AIF measurement, correction of T2* losses. Validation of signal correction was performed in phantoms, and values for peak AIF concentration and myocardial flow are provided for 29 normal subjects for rest and adenosine stress. For phantoms, the measured fits were within 5% for both AIF and myocardium. In healthy volunteers the peak [Gd] was 3.5 ± 1.2 for stress and 4.4 ± 1.2 mmol/L for rest. The T2* in the left ventricle blood pool at peak AIF was approximately 10 ms. The peak-to-valley ratio was 5.6 for the raw signal intensities without correction, and was 8.3 for the look-up-table (LUT) corrected AIF which represents approximately 48% correction. Without T2* correction the myocardial blood flow estimates are overestimated by approximately 10%. The signal-to-noise ratio of the myocardial signal at peak enhancement (1.5 T) was 17.7 ± 6.6 at stress and the peak [Gd] was 0.49 ± 0.15 mmol/L. The estimated perfusion flow was 3.9 ± 0.38 and 1.03 ± 0.19

  14. A New Biomarkers Feature Pattern Consisting of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-8 for Blood Stasis Syndrome with Myocardial Ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Jianxin; Chuo, Wenjing; Liu, Lei; Lian, Hongjian; Zheng, Lei; Wang, Yong; Xie, Hua; Luo, Liangtao; Zheng, Chenglong; Fu, Bangze; Wang, Wei

    2013-01-01

    Objective. To explore new diagnostic patterns for syndromes to overcome the insufficiency of obtainable macrocharacteristics and specific biomarkers. Methods. Chinese miniswines were subjected to Ameroid constrictor, placed around the proximal left anterior descending branch. On the 4th week, macrocharacteristics, coronary angiography, echocardiography, and hemorheology indices were detected for diagnosis. IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and hsCRP in serum were detected, and Decision Tree was built. Results. According to current official-issued standard, model animals matched the diagnosis of blood stasis syndrome with myocardial ischemia based on findings, including >90% occlusion, attenuated left ventricular segmental motion, dark red or purple tongues, and higher blood viscosity. Significant decrease of IL-10 and increase of TNF-α were found in model animals. However, in the Decision Tree, besides IL-10 and TNF-α, IL-8 helped to increase the accuracy of classification to 86%. Conclusions. The Decision Tree building with TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-8 is helpful for the diagnosis of blood stasis syndrome in myocardial ischemia animals. What is more is that our data set up a new path to the differentiation of syndrome by feature patterns consisting of multiple biomarkers not only for animals but also for patients. We believe that it will contribute to the standardization and international application of syndromes. PMID:24371451

  15. Losartan treatment attenuates tumor-induced myocardial dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    Stevens, Sarah CW; Velten, Markus; Youtz, Dane J.; Clark, Yvonne; Jing, Runfeng; Reiser, Peter J.; Bicer, Sabahattin; Devine, Raymond; McCarthy, Donna O.; Wold, Loren E.

    2015-01-01

    Fatigue and muscle wasting are common symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Data from animal models demonstrate that angiotensin is involved in tumor-induced muscle wasting, and that tumor growth can independently affect myocardial function, which could contribute to fatigue in cancer patients. In clinical studies, inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) can prevent the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular dysfunction, suggesting a mechanistic role for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In the present study, we investigated whether an angiotensin (AT)1-receptor antagonist could prevent the development of tumor-associated myocardial dysfunction. Methods and Results: Colon26 adenocarcinoma (c26) cells were implanted into female CD2F1 mice at 8 weeks of age. Simultaneously, mice were administered Losartan (10 mg/kg) daily via their drinking water. In vivo echocardiography, blood pressure, in vitro cardiomyocyte function, cell proliferation assays, and measures of systemic inflammation and myocardial protein degradation were performed 19 days following tumor cell injection. Losartan treatment prevented tumor-induced loss of muscle mass and in vitro c26 cell proliferation, decreased tumor weight, and attenuated myocardial expression of interleukin-6. Furthermore, Losartan treatment mitigated tumor-associated alterations in calcium signaling in cardiomyocytes, which was associated with improved myocyte contraction velocity, systolic function, and blood pressures in the hearts of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions: These data suggest that Losartan may mitigate tumor-induced myocardial dysfunction and inflammation. PMID:25988231

  16. Losartan treatment attenuates tumor-induced myocardial dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Stevens, Sarah C W; Velten, Markus; Youtz, Dane J; Clark, Yvonne; Jing, Runfeng; Reiser, Peter J; Bicer, Sabahattin; Devine, Raymond D; McCarthy, Donna O; Wold, Loren E

    2015-08-01

    Fatigue and muscle wasting are common symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Data from animal models demonstrate that angiotensin is involved in tumor-induced muscle wasting, and that tumor growth can independently affect myocardial function, which could contribute to fatigue in cancer patients. In clinical studies, inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) can prevent the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular dysfunction, suggesting a mechanistic role for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In the present study, we investigated whether an angiotensin (AT) 1-receptor antagonist could prevent the development of tumor-associated myocardial dysfunction. Colon26 adenocarcinoma (c26) cells were implanted into female CD2F1 mice at 8weeks of age. Simultaneously, mice were administered Losartan (10mg/kg) daily via their drinking water. In vivo echocardiography, blood pressure, in vitro cardiomyocyte function, cell proliferation assays, and measures of systemic inflammation and myocardial protein degradation were performed 19days following tumor cell injection. Losartan treatment prevented tumor-induced loss of muscle mass and in vitro c26 cell proliferation, decreased tumor weight, and attenuated myocardial expression of interleukin-6. Furthermore, Losartan treatment mitigated tumor-associated alterations in calcium signaling in cardiomyocytes, which was associated with improved myocyte contraction velocity, systolic function, and blood pressures in the hearts of tumor-bearing mice. These data suggest that Losartan may mitigate tumor-induced myocardial dysfunction and inflammation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Theoretical considerations in measurement of time discrepancies between input and myocardial time-signal intensity curves in estimates of regional myocardial perfusion with first-pass contrast-enhanced MRI.

    PubMed

    Natsume, Takahiro; Ishida, Masaki; Kitagawa, Kakuya; Nagata, Motonori; Sakuma, Hajime; Ichihara, Takashi

    2015-11-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop a method to determine time discrepancies between input and myocardial time-signal intensity (TSI) curves for accurate estimation of myocardial perfusion with first-pass contrast-enhanced MRI. Estimation of myocardial perfusion with contrast-enhanced MRI using kinetic models requires faithful recording of contrast content in the blood and myocardium. Typically, the arterial input function (AIF) is obtained by setting a region of interest in the left ventricular cavity. However, there is a small delay between the AIF and the myocardial curves, and such time discrepancies can lead to errors in flow estimation using Patlak plot analysis. In this study, the time discrepancies between the arterial TSI curve and the myocardial tissue TSI curve were estimated based on the compartment model. In the early phase after the arrival of the contrast agent in the myocardium, the relationship between rate constant K1 and the concentrations of Gd-DTPA contrast agent in the myocardium and arterial blood (LV blood) can be described by the equation K1={dCmyo(tpeak)/dt}/Ca(tpeak), where Cmyo(t) and Ca(t) are the relative concentrations of Gd-DTPA contrast agent in the myocardium and in the LV blood, respectively, and tpeak is the time corresponding to the peak of Ca(t). In the ideal case, the time corresponding to the maximum upslope of Cmyo(t), tmax, is equal to tpeak. In practice, however, there is a small difference in the arrival times of the contrast agent into the LV and into the myocardium. This difference was estimated to correspond to the difference between tpeak and tmax. The magnitudes of such time discrepancies and the effectiveness of the correction for these time discrepancies were measured in 18 subjects who underwent myocardial perfusion MRI under rest and stress conditions. The effects of the time discrepancies could be corrected effectively in the myocardial perfusion estimates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights

  18. Intravenous human umbilical cord blood improves electrophysiological and metabolic properties in ISO induced myocardial necrosis in rats.

    PubMed

    Mohan, Mahalaxmi; Rokade, Rahul; Kasturet, Sanjay

    2013-03-01

    Rats treated with isoproterenol (ISO, 85 mg/kg, sc, twice at an interval of 24 h) showed a significant increase in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, pressure rate index, ST elevation on ECG, and a significant increase in the levels of cardiac marker enzymes- lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase in serum and a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase, and catalase and increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance activity in heart tissue. Treatment with Human umbilical cord blood (hUCBC; 500 and 1000 microL, iv, via the tail vein; 2 h after the second dose of ISO) significantly restored back to normal levels and showed a lesser degree of cellular infiltration and infarct size in histopathological and planimetry studies respectively. Thus, hUCBC ameliorates cardiotoxic effects of isoproterenol and may be of value in the treatment of myocardial infarction.

  19. A Comparison of Theory-Based and Experimentally Determined Myocardial Signal Intensity Correction Methods in First-Pass Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

    PubMed

    Fluckiger, Jacob U; Benefield, Brandon C; Bakhos, Lara; Harris, Kathleen R; Lee, Daniel C

    2015-01-01

    To evaluate the impact of correcting myocardial signal saturation on the accuracy of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurements. We performed 15 dual bolus first-pass perfusion studies in 7 dogs during global coronary vasodilation and variable degrees of coronary artery stenosis. We compared microsphere MBF to MBF calculated from uncorrected and corrected MRI signal. Four correction methods were tested, two theoretical methods (Th1 and Th2) and two empirical methods (Em1 and Em2). The correlations with microsphere MBF (n = 90 segments) were: uncorrected (y = 0.47x + 1.1, r = 0.70), Th1 (y = 0.53x + 1.0, r = 0.71), Th2 (y = 0.62x + 0.86, r = 0.73), Em1 (y = 0.82x + 0.86, r = 0.77), and Em2 (y = 0.72x + 0.84, r = 0.75). All corrected methods were not significantly different from microspheres, while uncorrected MBF values were significantly lower. For the top 50% of microsphere MBF values, flows were significantly underestimated by uncorrected SI (31%), Th1 (25%), and Th2 (19%), while Em1 (1%), and Em2 (9%) were similar to microsphere MBF. Myocardial signal saturation should be corrected prior to flow modeling to avoid underestimation of MBF by MR perfusion imaging.

  20. [Effects of circulating microvesicles derived from myocardial ischemic preconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

    PubMed

    Wang, Yi-Lu; Liu, Miao; Shang, Man; Wang, Yao; Zhang, Qi; Wang, Shao-Xun; Wei, Su; Zhang, Kun-Wei; Liu, Chao; Wu, Yan-Na; Song, Jun-Qiu; Liu, Yan-Xia

    2016-02-08

    To investigate the effects of circulating microvesicles (MVs) derived from ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats and explore the underlying mechanism. To establish the IPC model, the rats were subjected to brief cycles of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary occlusion and reperfusion. The blood was drawn from abdominal aorta once the operation was finished. IPC-MVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from the peripheral blood and characterized by flow cytometry. The myocardial I/R model of rats was established in vivo. Rats were injected via the femoral vein with IPC-MVs at 7 mg/kg. Morphological changes of myocardium were observed microscopically after HE staining. Apoptosis of myocardial cells was detected with TUNEL assay. Myocardial infarct size was detected by TTC staining. Moreover, activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was tested by colorimetry. The activity of caspase 3 in myocardium was assayed with spectrophotometry. Expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were examined with Western blot. The concentration of IPC-MVs, which was detected by flow cytometry, was 4380±745 cells/ μ l. Compared with I/R group, IPC-MVs alleviated the damage of tissues in I/R injured rats significantly. The myocardial infarct size and the cardiomyocyte apoptotic index were obviously decreased after IPC-MVs treatment ( P <0.01, respectively). The activity of plasma LDH was significantly decreased in IPC-MVs treated rats ( P <0.01). Moreover, the activity of caspase 3 was markedly decreased after IPC-MVs treatment ( P <0.01). In addition, the expression of Bcl-2 was increased ( P <0.01), the expression of Bax was decreased ( P <0.01), the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly increased after IPC-MVs treatment ( P <0.01). IPC-MVs protected myocardial against I/R injury by up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein, down-regulating the expression of Bax protein, increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and decreasing

  1. Blood cardioplegia with N-acetylcysteine may reduce coronary endothelial activation and myocardial oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Rodrigues, Alfredo J; Evora, Paulo R B; Bassetto, Solange; Alves, Lafaiete; Scorzoni Filho, Adilson; Origuela, Eliana A; Vicente, Walter V A

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy of intermittent antegrade blood cardioplegia with or without n-acetylcysteine (NAC) in reducing myocardial oxidative stress and coronary endothelial activation. Twenty patients undergoing elective isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomly assigned to receive intermittent antegrade blood cardioplegia (32 degrees C-34 degrees C) with (NAC group) or without (control group) 300 mg of NAC. For these 2 groups we compared clinical outcome, hemodynamic evolution, systemic plasmatic levels of troponin I, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) from coronary sinus blood samples. Patient demographic characteristics and operative and postoperative data findings in both groups were similar. There was no hospital mortality. Comparing the plasma levels of MDA 10 min after the aortic cross-clamping and of sVCAM-1 30 min after the aortic cross-clamping period with the levels obtained before the aortic clamping period, we observed increases of both markers, but the increase was significant only in the control group (P= .039 and P= .064 for MDA; P= .004 and P= .064 for sVCAM-1). In both groups there was a significant increase of the systemic serum levels of troponin I compared with the levels observed before cardiopulmonary bypass (P< .001), but the differences between the groups were not significant (P= .570). Our investigation showed that NAC as an additive to blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery may reduce oxidative stress and the resultant coronary endothelial activation.

  2. Relation of coronary flow pattern to myocardial blush grade in patients with first acute myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Hoffmann, R; Haager, P; Lepper, W; Franke, A; Hanrath, P

    2003-01-01

    Background: Analysis of myocardial blush grade (MBG) and coronary flow velocity pattern has been used to obtain direct or indirect information about microvascular damage and reperfusion injury after percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography for acute myocardial infarction. Objective: To evaluate the relation between coronary blood flow velocity pattern and MBG immediately after angioplasty plus stenting for acute myocardial infarction. Design: The coronary blood flow velocity pattern in the infarct related artery was determined immediately after angioplasty in 35 patients with their first acute myocardial infarct using a Doppler guide wire. Measurements were related to MBG as a direct index of microvascular function in the infarct zone. Results: Coronary flow velocity patterns were different between patients with absent myocardial blush (n = 14), reduced blush (n = 7), or normal blush (n = 14). The following variables (mean (SD)) differed significantly between the three groups: systolic peak flow velocity (cm/s): absent blush 10.9 (4.2), reduced blush 14.2 (6.4), normal blush 19.2 (11.2); p = 0.036; diastolic deceleration rate (ms): absent blush 103 (58), reduced blush 80 (65), normal blush 50 (19); p = 0.025; and diastolic–systolic velocity ratio: absent blush 4.06 (2.18), reduced blush 2.02 (0.55), normal blush 1.88 (1.03); p = 0.002. In a multivariate analysis MBG was the only variable with a significant impact on the diastolic deceleration rate (p = 0.034,) while age, infarct location, time to revascularisation, infarct vessel diameter, and maximum creatine kinase had no significant impact. Conclusions: The coronary flow velocity pattern in the infarct related epicardial artery is primarily determined by the microvascular function of the dependent myocardium, as reflected by MBG. PMID:12975402

  3. In vivo visualization method by absolute blood flow velocity based on speckle and fringe pattern using two-beam multipoint laser Doppler velocimetry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kyoden, Tomoaki, E-mail: kyouden@nc-toyama.ac.jp; Naruki, Shoji; Akiguchi, Shunsuke

    Two-beam multipoint laser Doppler velocimetry (two-beam MLDV) is a non-invasive imaging technique able to provide an image of two-dimensional blood flow and has potential for observing cancer as previously demonstrated in a mouse model. In two-beam MLDV, the blood flow velocity can be estimated from red blood cells passing through a fringe pattern generated in the skin. The fringe pattern is created at the intersection of two beams in conventional LDV and two-beam MLDV. Being able to choose the depth position is an advantage of two-beam MLDV, and the position of a blood vessel can be identified in a three-dimensionalmore » space using this technique. Initially, we observed the fringe pattern in the skin, and the undeveloped or developed speckle pattern generated in a deeper position of the skin. The validity of the absolute velocity value detected by two-beam MLDV was verified while changing the number of layers of skin around a transparent flow channel. The absolute velocity value independent of direction was detected using the developed speckle pattern, which is created by the skin construct and two beams in the flow channel. Finally, we showed the relationship between the signal intensity and the fringe pattern, undeveloped speckle, or developed speckle pattern based on the skin depth. The Doppler signals were not detected at deeper positions in the skin, which qualitatively indicates the depth limit for two-beam MLDV.« less

  4. Regional myocardial extraction of a radioiodinated branched chain fatty acid during right ventricular pressure overload due to acute pulmonary hypertension

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hurford, W.; Lowenstein, E.; Zapol, W.

    1985-05-01

    To determine whether branched chain fatty acid extraction is reduced during right ventricular (RV) dysfunction due to acute pulmonary artery hypertension, studies were done in 6 anesthetized dogs. Regional branched chain fatty acid extraction was measured by comparing the myocardial uptake of I-125 labeled 15-(p-(iodophenyl))-3-methylpentadecanoic acid (I-PDA) to myocardial blood flow. Acute pulmonary hypertension was induced by incremental intravenous injection of 100 micron diameter glass beads into six pentobarbital anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs. Myocardial blood flow was measured by radiolabeled microspheres both under baseline conditions and during pulmonary hypertension. Mean RV pressure rose from 12 +- 2 (mean +- SEM)more » to 30 +-3mmHg resulting in a 225 +- 16% increase in RV stroke work. RV ejection fraction, as assessed by gated blood pool scans fell from 39 +- 2 to 18 +- 2%. Left ventricular (LV) pressures, stroke work and ejection fraction were unchanged. Myocardial blood flow increased 132 + 59% in the RV free wall and 67 +- 22% in the RV septum. LV blood flow was unchanged. Despite increased RV work and myocardial blood flow, no differences were noted in the branched chain fatty acid extraction ratios among LV or RV free walls or septum. The authors conclude that early RV dysfunction associated with pulmonary artery hypertension is not due to inadequate myocardial blood flow or branched chain fatty acid extraction.« less

  5. Vitexin exerts cardioprotective effect on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via inhibiting myocardial apoptosis and lipid peroxidation.

    PubMed

    Che, Xia; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Junyan; Peng, Chengfeng; Zhen, Yilan; Shao, Xu; Zhang, Gongliang; Dong, Liuyi

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effect of vitexin on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and potential mechanisms. A chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established by ligating left anterior descending coronary for 60 minutes, and followed by reperfusion for 14 days. After 2 weeks ischemia/reperfusion, cardiac function was measured to assess myocardial injury. The level of ST segment was recorded in different periods by electrocardiograph. The change of left ventricular function and myocardial reaction degree of fibrosis of heart was investigated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining. Endothelium-dependent relaxations due to acetylcholine were observed in isolated rat thoracic aortic ring preparation. The blood samples were collected to measure the levels of MDA, the activities of SOD and NADPH in serum. Epac1, Rap1, Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by using Western Blotting. Vitexin exerted significant protective effect on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, improved obviously left ventricular diastolic function and reduced myocardial reactive fibrosis degree in rats of myocardial ischemia. Medium and high-dose vitexin groups presented a significant decrease in Bax, Epac1 and Rap1 production and increase in Bcl-2 compared to the I/R group. It may be related to preventing myocardial cells from apoptosis, improving myocardial diastolic function and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Vitexin is a cardioprotective herb, which may be a promising useful complementary and alternative medicine for patients with coronary heart disease.

  6. Myocardial revascularization with miniaturized extracorporeal circulation versus off pump: Evaluation of systemic and myocardial inflammatory response in a prospective randomized study.

    PubMed

    Formica, Francesco; Broccolo, Francesco; Martino, Antonello; Sciucchetti, Jennifer; Giordano, Vincenzo; Avalli, Leonello; Radaelli, Gianluigi; Ferro, Orazio; Corti, Fabrizio; Cocuzza, Clementina; Paolini, Giovanni

    2009-05-01

    This prospective randomized study sought to verify the systemic inflammatory response, inflammatory myocardial damage, and early clinical outcome in coronary surgery with the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation system or on the beating heart. Sixty consecutive patients were randomized to miniaturized extracorporeal circulation (n = 30) or off-pump coronary revascularization (off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, n = 30). Intraoperative and postoperative data were recorded. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured from systemic blood intraoperatively, at the end of operation, and 24 and 48 hours thereafter. Levels of the same markers and blood lactate were measured from coronary sinus blood intraoperatively to evaluate myocardial inflammation. Markers of myocardial damage were also analyzed. One patient died in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting group. There was no statistical difference in early clinical outcome in both groups. Release of interleukin-6 was higher in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting group 24 hours after the operation (P = .03), whereas levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were not different in both groups. Cardiac release of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and blood lactate were not different in both groups. Release of troponin T was not significantly different in both groups. Levels of creatine kinase mass were statistically higher in the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation group than in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting group, but only at the end of the operation (P < .0001). Hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation group than in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting group after 24 hours (P = .01). Miniaturized extracorporeal circulation can be considered similar to off-pump surgery in terms of systemic inflammatory response, myocardial inflammation and damage, and early outcome.

  7. The influence of short-term endurance training on the insulin blood level, binding, and degradation of 125I-insulin by erythrocyte receptors in patients after myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Dylewicz, P; Przywarska, I; Szcześniak, L; Rychlewski, T; Bieńkowska, S; Długiewicz, I; Wilk, M

    1999-01-01

    This study was directed toward establishing whether and to what extent, short-term endurance training influences the insulin blood level, and the binding and degradation of 125I-insulin by erythrocyte receptors in patients undergoing rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. The study was conducted in a group of 60 patients who had had myocardial infarction within the past 1.5 to 3 months and who did not have arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. All the patients took a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test. Before and after the test, venous blood was collected to determine lactic acid and insulin blood levels as well as the binding and degradation of 125I-insulin. The study group was randomized into two subgroups. One subgroup entered into a 3-week in-patient rehabilitation course. The control group was discharged from the hospital and was given no recommendations for physical exercise. The same investigation was repeated 3 weeks later. In the patients (50%) with hyperinsulinemia (insulin resistance index, > 10 microIU/mL), which was detected during the first investigation, insulin blood level decreased from 23.9 +/- 4.4 to 15.0 +/- 1.9 microIU/mL (P < 0.05) after rehabilitation, whereas insulin binding increased from 0.67 +/- 0.05 to 0.85 +/- 0.08 pg 125I/10(11) erythrocytes (P < 0.05). In the control group, which included normal subjects and those with hyperinsulinemia, the results obtained during the first and second investigations showed no statistically significant changes when compared. The results suggest that a 3-week endurance training period during rehabilitation after myocardial infarction reduces insulin resistance in patients with hyperinsulinemia.

  8. [Absolute numbers of peripheral blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells prior to a leukapheresis procedure as a parameter predicting the efficiency of stem cell collection].

    PubMed

    Galtseva, I V; Davydova, Yu O; Gaponova, T V; Kapranov, N M; Kuzmina, L A; Troitskaya, V V; Gribanova, E O; Kravchenko, S K; Mangasarova, Ya K; Zvonkov, E E; Parovichnikova, E N; Mendeleeva, L P; Savchenko, V G

    To identify a parameter predicting a collection of at least 2·106 CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC)/kg body weight per leukapheresis (LA) procedure. The investigation included 189 patients with hematological malignancies and 3 HSC donors, who underwent mobilization of stem cells with their subsequent collection by LA. Absolute numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes and CD34+ cells before a LA procedure, as well as a number of CD34+ cells/kg body weight (BW) in the LA product stored on the same day were determined in each patient (donor). There was no correlation between the number of leukocytes and that of stored CD34+ cells/kg BW. There was a close correlation between the count of peripheral blood CD34+ cells prior to LA and that of collected CD34+ cells calculated with reference to kg BW. The optimal absolute blood CD34+ cell count was estimated to 20 per µl, at which a LA procedure makes it possible to collect 2·106 or more CD34+ cells/kg BW.

  9. Myocardial Tissue Characterization by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Ferreira, Vanessa M.; Piechnik, Stefan K.; Robson, Matthew D.; Neubauer, Stefan

    2014-01-01

    Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a well-established noninvasive imaging modality in clinical cardiology. Its unsurpassed accuracy in defining cardiac morphology and function and its ability to provide tissue characterization make it well suited for the study of patients with cardiac diseases. Late gadolinium enhancement was a major advancement in the development of tissue characterization techniques, allowing the unique ability of CMR to differentiate ischemic heart disease from nonischemic cardiomyopathies. Using T2-weighted techniques, areas of edema and inflammation can be identified in the myocardium. A new generation of myocardial mapping techniques are emerging, enabling direct quantitative assessment of myocardial tissue properties in absolute terms. This review will summarize recent developments involving T1-mapping and T2-mapping techniques and focus on the clinical applications and future potential of these evolving CMR methodologies. PMID:24576837

  10. Rapid computation of single PET scan rest-stress myocardial blood flow parametric images by table look up.

    PubMed

    Guehl, Nicolas J; Normandin, Marc D; Wooten, Dustin W; Rozen, Guy; Ruskin, Jeremy N; Shoup, Timothy M; Woo, Jonghye; Ptaszek, Leon M; Fakhri, Georges El; Alpert, Nathaniel M

    2017-09-01

    We have recently reported a method for measuring rest-stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) using a single, relatively short, PET scan session. The method requires two IV tracer injections, one to initiate rest imaging and one at peak stress. We previously validated absolute flow quantitation in ml/min/cc for standard bull's eye, segmental analysis. In this work, we extend the method for fast computation of rest-stress MBF parametric images. We provide an analytic solution to the single-scan rest-stress flow model which is then solved using a two-dimensional table lookup method (LM). Simulations were performed to compare the accuracy and precision of the lookup method with the original nonlinear method (NLM). Then the method was applied to 16 single scan rest/stress measurements made in 12 pigs: seven studied after infarction of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory, and nine imaged in the native state. Parametric maps of rest and stress MBF as well as maps of left (f LV ) and right (f RV ) ventricular spill-over fractions were generated. Regions of interest (ROIs) for 17 myocardial segments were defined in bull's eye fashion on the parametric maps. The mean of each ROI was then compared to the rest (K 1r ) and stress (K 1s ) MBF estimates obtained from fitting the 17 regional TACs with the NLM. In simulation, the LM performed as well as the NLM in terms of precision and accuracy. The simulation did not show that bias was introduced by the use of a predefined two-dimensional lookup table. In experimental data, parametric maps demonstrated good statistical quality and the LM was computationally much more efficient than the original NLM. Very good agreement was obtained between the mean MBF calculated on the parametric maps for each of the 17 ROIs and the regional MBF values estimated by the NLM (K 1map LM  = 1.019 × K 1 ROI NLM  + 0.019, R 2  = 0.986; mean difference = 0.034 ± 0.036 mL/min/cc). We developed a table lookup method for fast

  11. Quantification of absolute blood velocity using LDA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borozdova, M. A.; Fedosov, I. V.; Tuchin, V. V.

    2018-04-01

    We developed novel schematics of a Laser Doppler anemometer where measuring volume is comparable with the red blood cell (RBC) size and a small period of interference fringes improves device resolution. The technique was used to estimate Doppler frequency shift at flow velocity measurements. It has been shown that technique is applicable for measurements in whole blood.

  12. Mozart, but not the Beatles, reduces systolic blood pressure in patients with myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Gruhlke, Luiza Carolina; Patrício, Marcelo Coelho; Moreira, Daniel Medeiros

    2015-12-01

    Music reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) in various clinical situations, but it is unclear whether these changes occur in post-infarction patients. The aim is to evaluate the effects of music on patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated patients with MI and we measured SBP, DBP, HR and double product (DP) two times before the intervention and one time every fifteen minutes with an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. We divided the patients into 3 groups: a group listening to music by Mozart; another listening to a Beatles collection and a third one listening to the radio news. Outcomes were the change in mean SBP, DBP, HR and DP with intervention. We enrolled 60 patients (20 in each group). SBP was significantly reduced in the Mozart group (variation of –7.2 ± 8.5 mmHg) compared to the Beatles group (–1.3 ± 6.2 mmHg) (P = 0.021) and the radio news group (0.6 ± 8.7 mmHg) (P = 0.003). DP was significantly reduced in the Mozart group compared with the News group (–668.5 ± 773.2 vs 31.6 ± 722.1 mmHg) (P = 0.006). There were no differences in DBP and HR. Patients with MI who listened Mozart had a reduction in SBP and DP compared to those who listened to the Beatles or the news.

  13. Regulation of Coronary Blood Flow

    PubMed Central

    Goodwill, Adam G.; Dick, Gregory M.; Kiel, Alexander M.; Tune, Johnathan D.

    2018-01-01

    The heart is uniquely responsible for providing its own blood supply through the coronary circulation. Regulation of coronary blood flow is quite complex and, after over 100 years of dedicated research, is understood to be dictated through multiple mechanisms that include extravascular compressive forces (tissue pressure), coronary perfusion pressure, myogenic, local metabolic, endothelial as well as neural and hormonal influences. While each of these determinants can have profound influence over myocardial perfusion, largely through effects on end-effector ion channels, these mechanisms collectively modulate coronary vascular resistance and act to ensure that the myocardial requirements for oxygen and substrates are adequately provided by the coronary circulation. The purpose of this series of Comprehensive Physiology is to highlight current knowledge regarding the physiologic regulation of coronary blood flow, with emphasis on functional anatomy and the interplay between the physical and biological determinants of myocardial oxygen delivery. PMID:28333376

  14. Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support Improves Myocardial Supply:Demand in Chronic Heart Failure.

    PubMed

    Soucy, Kevin G; Bartoli, Carlo R; Phillips, Dustin; Giridharan, Guruprasad A; Sobieski, Michael A; Wead, William B; Dowling, Robert D; Wu, Zhongjun J; Prabhu, Sumanth D; Slaughter, Mark S; Koenig, Steven C

    2017-06-01

    Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF LVADs) are rotary blood pumps that improve mean blood flow, but with potential limitations of non-physiological ventricular volume unloading and diminished vascular pulsatility. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that left ventricular unloading with increasing CF LVAD flow increases myocardial flow normalized to left ventricular work. Healthy (n = 8) and chronic ischemic heart failure (IHF, n = 7) calves were implanted with CF LVADs. Acute hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow were measured during baseline (LVAD off, clamped), partial (2-4 L/min) and full (>4 L/min) LVAD support. IHF calves demonstrated greater reduction of cardiac energy demand with increasing LVAD support compared to healthy calves, as calculated by rate-pressure product. Coronary artery flows (p < 0.05) and myocardial blood flow (left ventricle (LV) epicardium and myocardium, p < 0.05) decreased with increasing LVAD support in normal calves. In the IHF model, blood flow to the septum, LV, LV epicardium, and LV myocardium increased significantly with increasing LVAD support when normalized to cardiac energy demand (p < 0.05). In conclusion, myocardial blood flow relative to cardiac demand significantly increased in IHF calves, thereby demonstrating that CF LVAD unloading effectively improves cardiac supply and demand ratio in the setting of ischemic heart failure.

  15. Vitexin exerts cardioprotective effect on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via inhibiting myocardial apoptosis and lipid peroxidation

    PubMed Central

    Che, Xia; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Junyan; Peng, Chengfeng; Zhen, Yilan; Shao, Xu; Zhang, Gongliang; Dong, Liuyi

    2016-01-01

    Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effect of vitexin on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and potential mechanisms. Methods: A chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established by ligating left anterior descending coronary for 60 minutes, and followed by reperfusion for 14 days. After 2 weeks ischemia/reperfusion, cardiac function was measured to assess myocardial injury. The level of ST segment was recorded in different periods by electrocardiograph. The change of left ventricular function and myocardial reaction degree of fibrosis of heart was investigated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Sirius red staining. Endothelium-dependent relaxations due to acetylcholine were observed in isolated rat thoracic aortic ring preparation. The blood samples were collected to measure the levels of MDA, the activities of SOD and NADPH in serum. Epac1, Rap1, Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by using Western Blotting. Results: Vitexin exerted significant protective effect on chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, improved obviously left ventricular diastolic function and reduced myocardial reactive fibrosis degree in rats of myocardial ischemia. Medium and high-dose vitexin groups presented a significant decrease in Bax, Epac1 and Rap1 production and increase in Bcl-2 compared to the I/R group. It may be related to preventing myocardial cells from apoptosis, improving myocardial diastolic function and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Conclusions: Vitexin is a cardioprotective herb, which may be a promising useful complementary and alternative medicine for patients with coronary heart disease. PMID:27648122

  16. Diagnostic Application of Absolute Neutron Activation Analysis in Hematology

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zamboni, C.B.; Oliveira, L.C.; Dalaqua, L. Jr.

    2004-10-03

    The Absolute Neutron Activation Analysis (ANAA) technique was used to determine element concentrations of Cl and Na in blood of healthy group (male and female blood donators), select from Blood Banks at Sao Paulo city, to provide information which can help in diagnosis of patients. This study permitted to perform a discussion about the advantages and limitations of using this nuclear methodology in hematological examinations.

  17. Usefulness of rCBF analysis in diagnosing Parkinson's disease: supplemental role with MIBG myocardial scintigraphy.

    PubMed

    Nagamachi, Shigeki; Wakamatsu, Hideyuki; Kiyohara, Shogo; Fujita, Seigo; Futami, Shigemi; Tamura, Shozo; Nakazato, Masamitsu; Yamashita, Syuichi; Arita, Hideo; Nishii, Ryuichi; Kawai, Keiichi

    2008-08-01

    (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy is a useful tool for differentiating idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) from parkinsonism (PS) caused by other disorders. However, cardiac MIBG uptake is affected by various causes. Alternatively, hypoperfusion in the occipital lobe of PD is reported recently. The objective is to clarify the correlation between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) alteration and cardiac MIBG uptake in PD. In addition, we examined whether additional brain perfusion analysis improved the differential diagnostic ability for PD from PS when compared with MIBG scintigraphy alone. Forty-nine patients with PD (27 mild groups: Hoehn and Yahr stages I, II; 22 severe groups: Hoehn and Yahr stages III, IV) and 28 patients with PS participated. We compared absolute rCBF values between PD and PS. In addition, we determined correlation between MIBG parameters and each rCBF value. Finally, we compared the diagnostic ability for the differentiation of PD from PS between two diagnostic criteria, each MIBG index abnormality alone [heart-to-mediastinum ratio, H/M (E) < 1.9, H/E (D) < 1.7, washout rate > 40%] and each MIBG index abnormality or occipital lobe hypoperfusion (<36 ml/100 g per min). Absolute rCBF value of occipital lobe was significantly lower in severe PD as compared with PS or mild PD. In the correlation analysis, rCBF of occipital lobe correlated positively with MIBG parameters (H/M). Regarding the diagnostic ability, sensitivity improved by accounting for occipital hypoperfusion as compared with MIBG indices alone. In contrast, neither specificity nor accuracy improved by adding occipital lobe analysis. MIBG parameters (H/M) correlated positively with occipital hypoperfusion in PD. In the differential diagnosis between PD and PS, although its usefulness might be limited, analysis of rCBF in the occipital lobe added to (123)I-MIBG myocardial imaging can be recommended.

  18. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance of myocardial edema using a short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) black-blood technique: Diagnostic accuracy of visual and semi-quantitative assessment

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background The short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) black-blood technique has been used to visualize myocardial edema, and thus to differentiate acute from chronic myocardial lesions. However, some cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) groups have reported variable image quality, and hence the diagnostic value of STIR in routine clinical practice has been put into question. The aim of our study was to analyze image quality and diagnostic performance of STIR using a set of pulse sequence parameters dedicated to edema detection, and to discuss possible factors that influence image quality. We hypothesized that STIR imaging is an accurate and robust way of detecting myocardial edema in non-selected patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods Forty-six consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction underwent CMR (day 4.5, +/- 1.6) including STIR for the assessment of myocardial edema and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) for quantification of myocardial necrosis. Thirty of these patients underwent a follow-up CMR at approximately six months (195 +/- 39 days). Both STIR and LGE images were evaluated separately on a segmental basis for image quality as well as for presence and extent of myocardial hyper-intensity, with both visual and semi-quantitative (threshold-based) analysis. LGE was used as a reference standard for localization and extent of myocardial necrosis (acute) or scar (chronic). Results Image quality of STIR images was rated as diagnostic in 99.5% of cases. At the acute stage, the sensitivity and specificity of STIR to detect infarcted segments on visual assessment was 95% and 78% respectively, and on semi-quantitative assessment was 99% and 83%, respectively. STIR differentiated acutely from chronically infarcted segments with a sensitivity of 95% by both methods and with a specificity of 99% by visual assessment and 97% by semi-quantitative assessment. The extent of hyper-intense areas on acute STIR images was 85% larger than

  19. [Myocardial bridge as the only cause of acute coronary syndrome among the young patients].

    PubMed

    Miakinkova, Liudmila O; Teslenko, Yurii V; Tsyhanenko, Irina V

    2018-01-01

    Introduction: Myocardial bridge is an inborn anomaly of coronary artery development, when a part of it is submerged in a myocard, which is pressing the coronary artery to a systola and restrains coronary blood circulation. Generally this feature of coronary blood circulation does not cause any clinical symptoms because the 85% of coronary blood stream of the left ventricle is provided by diastolic filling. Hemodynamic changes in atherosclerosis, tahicardie, hypertrophie of myocard are leading to the manifestation of clinical symptoms of ischemia. The aim: The purpose of the investigation was to discover the features of clinical development of acute coronary syndrome caused by myocardial bridge of young patients without the features of atherosclerotical harm of coronary arteries. Materials and methods: Eight causes of acute coronary syndrome among patients of 28±8,5 years with myocardial bridge which was revealed during coronary angiography, were investigated. Standardized examination and conservative treatment of patients was held, except for three who have got interventional therapy. Results: According to our investigation, myocardial bridge of all investigated patients was located in the middle of the third front interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. Causes of acute coronary syndrome manifestation were tahicardia, spasms of coronary artery, inducted by iatrogenic factors hypertrophie of myocard, hypertrophic cardiomyopatie. Connection between the manifestation of clinical symptoms and length of tunneled segment which did not depend on the level of systolic compres was discovered. The results of conservative and interventional treatment were analyzed. Conclusions: Myocardial bridge can be the cause of myocardial ischemia among patients without signs of coronary atherosclerosis with additional hemodynamic risk facts such as tahicardia, spasms of coronary artery, hypertrophie of myocard. Clinical symptomatology of the acute coronary syndrome is more

  20. Parametric techniques for characterizing myocardial tissue by magnetic resonance imaging (part 1): T1 mapping.

    PubMed

    Perea Palazón, R J; Ortiz Pérez, J T; Prat González, S; de Caralt Robira, T M; Cibeira López, M T; Solé Arqués, M

    2016-01-01

    The development of myocardial fibrosis is a common process in the appearance of ventricular dysfunction in many heart diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging makes it possible to accurately evaluate the structure and function of the heart, and its role in the macroscopic characterization of myocardial fibrosis by late enhancement techniques has been widely validated clinically. Recent studies have demonstrated that T1-mapping techniques can quantify diffuse myocardial fibrosis and the expansion of the myocardial extracellular space in absolute terms. However, further studies are necessary to validate the usefulness of this technique in the early detection of tissue remodeling at a time when implementing early treatment would improve a patient's prognosis. This article reviews the state of the art for T1 mapping of the myocardium, its clinical applications, and its limitations. Copyright © 2016 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  1. Interarm systolic blood pressure difference is associated with myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery.

    PubMed

    Belen, Erdal; Ozal, Ender; Bayyigit, Akif; Gunaydın, Senay; Helvacı, Aysen

    Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is closely related to increased cardiovascular mortality. To evaluate the relationship between MINS and interarm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD), which has previously been shown to correlate with the frequency of cardiovascular events and arterial arteriosclerotic processes. This observational, single-centre cohort study included 240 consecutive noncardiac surgery patients aged ≥ 45 years. Simultaneous blood pressure recordings were taken preoperatively and IASBPD was calculated. Patients' electrocardiography recordings and high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hscTnT) levels were obtained for a period of three days postoperatively. Postoperatively, 27 (11.3%) patients were found to have MINS when hscTnT ≥ 14 ng/L was taken as a cut-off value. IASBPD > 10 mm Hg was found in 44 (18.3%) patients. When IASBPD was accepted to be a continuous variable, there was a higher IASBPD value in the MINS group (9.4 ± 5.0 vs. 4.5 ± 3.8, p < 0.000). When patients were grouped as those having IASBPD > 10 mm Hg and those not, exaggerate IASBPD was found to be more frequent in patients developing MINS (16 [59.3%] vs. 28 [13.1%], respectively, p < 0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis found IASBPD > 10 mm Hg to be independently associated with the development of MINS (OR: 30.82; CI: 9.14-103.98; p < 0.000). Receiver operating char-acteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal IASBPD cut-off value for predicting MINS was 11.5 mm Hg, with a sensitivity of 61.0% and specificity of 89.1% (AUC = 0.79; 95% CI 0.71-0.87). Increased IASBPD is closely related to development of MINS. The preoperative measurement of blood pressure from both arms may be an important and easy to use clinical tool in determining cardiovascular risk.

  2. Off-pump supra-arterial myotomy for myocardial bridging.

    PubMed

    Crespo, Alejandro; Aramendi, José I; Hamzeh, Gadah; Voces, Roberto

    2008-09-01

    We report the results of surgery and midterm outcome in two patients with symptomatic myocardial bridging who underwent off-pump supra-arterial myotomy. Both patients were operated upon through a median sternotomy. The anterior wall of the heart was exposed in the same manner as in off-pump CABG. The left anterior descending coronary artery is unroofed from its myocardial bridge with the aid of a heart stabilizer and a blower. Neither heparin nor blood transfusion was required. Both patients survived the operation and are asymptomatic. Postoperative coronary angiogram showed good resolution of the muscle bridge in one patient. We conclude that in symptomatic patients with myocardial bridging despite medical therapy, surgical myotomy can be considered an adequate therapy. It can be safely done off-pump.

  3. Underestimation of myocardial blood flow by dynamic perfusion CT: Explanations by two-compartment model analysis and limited temporal sampling of dynamic CT.

    PubMed

    Ishida, Masaki; Kitagawa, Kakuya; Ichihara, Takashi; Natsume, Takahiro; Nakayama, Ryohei; Nagasawa, Naoki; Kubooka, Makiko; Ito, Tatsuro; Uno, Mio; Goto, Yoshitaka; Nagata, Motonori; Sakuma, Hajime

    2016-01-01

    Previous studies using dynamic perfusion CT and volume perfusion CT (VPCT) software consistently underestimated the stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) in normal myocardium to be 1.1-1.4 ml/min/g, whilst the O 15-water PET studies demonstrated the normal stress MBF of 3-5 ml/min/g. We hypothesized that the MBF determined by VPCT (MBF-VPCT) is actually presenting the blood-to-myocardium transfer constant, K1. In this study, we determined K1 using Patlak plot (K1-Patlak) and compared the results with MBF-VPCT. 17 patients (66 ± 9 years, 7 males) with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent stress dynamic perfusion CT, followed by rest coronary CT angiography (CTA). Arterial input and myocardial output curves were analyzed with Patlak plot to quantify myocardial K1. Significant CAD was defined as >50% stenosis on CTA. A simulation study was also performed to investigate the influence of limited temporal sampling in dynamic CT acquisition on K1 using the undersampling data generated from MRI. There were 3 patients with normal CTA, 7 patients with non-significant CAD, and 7 patients with significant CAD. K1-patlak was 0.98 ± 0.35 (range 0.22-1.67) ml/min/g, whereas MBF-VPCT was 0.83 ± 0.23 (range 0.34-1.40) ml/min/g. There was a linear relationship between them: (MBF-VPCT) = 0.58 x (K1-patlak) + 0.27 (r(2) = 0.65, p < 0.001). The simulation study done on MRI data demonstrated that Patlak plot substantially underestimated true K1 by 41% when true K1 was 2.0 ml/min/g with the temporal sampling of 2RR for arterial input and 4RR for myocardial output functions. The results of our study are generating hypothesis that MBF-VPCT is likely to be calculating K1-patlak equivalent, not MBF. In addition, these values may be substantially underestimated because of limited temporal sampling rate. Copyright © 2016 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Silent myocardial ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving conventional antianginal drug therapy.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, João Fernando Monteiro; César, Luiz Antonio Machado; Gruppi, César J; Giorgi, Dante M A; Hueb, Whady A; Mansur, Antonio P; Ramires, José A F

    2007-11-01

    Few data are available on the behavior of myocardial ischemia during daily activities in patients with coronary artery disease receiving antianginal drug therapy. To study the mechanism generating myocardial ischemia by evaluating blood pressure and heart rate changes in patients with stable atherosclerotic disease receiving drug therapy and with evidence of myocardial ischemia. Fifty non-hospitalized patients (40 males) underwent 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring synchronized with blood pressured monitoring. Thirty five episodes of myocardial ischemia were detected in 17 patients, with a total duration of 146.3 minutes; angina was reported in five cases. Twenty nine episodes (100.3 minutes) occurred during wakefulness, with 11 episodes (35.3 + 3.7 min) in the period from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Blood pressure and heart rate evaluation in the three ten-minute intervals following the ischemic episodes showed a statistically significant difference (p< 0.05), unlike that shown for the three intervals preceding the episodes. However, during the ischemic episode, a higher than 10-mmHg elevation in blood pressure and 5 beats per minute in heart rate were observed when compared with the time interval between 20 and 10 minutes before the episode. The mean heart rate at the onset of ischemia during the exercise test performed before the study was 118.2 + 14.0, and 81.1 + 20.8 beats per minute on the 24-hour electrocardiogram (p < 0.001). The incidence of silent myocardial ischemia is high in stable coronary artery disease and is related to alterations in blood pressure and heart rate, with different thresholds for ischemia for the same patient.

  5. Regulation of coronary blood flow

    PubMed Central

    Gorlin, Richard

    1971-01-01

    Coronary blood flow is dependent upon arterial pressure, diastolic time, and small vessel resistance. The system is regulated to achieve a low flow high oxygen extraction and low myocardial Po2. This setting is sensitive to change in oxygen needs. Regulation of blood flow occurs primarily through local intrinsic regulation, most likely through production of vasodilating metabolites in response to minimal degrees of ischaemia. Local regulation appears to dominate over remote regulation in most circumstances. Blood flow distribution to the myocardium is depth dependent as well as regional in variation. Both types of distribution of blood flow are profoundly disturbed in the presence of obstructive coronary atherosclerosis. This results in either concentric myocardial shells or patchy transmural zones of selective ischaemia with clear-cut but local abnormalities in metabolism and performance. Images PMID:4929442

  6. Activation of complement factor B contributes to murine and human myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

    PubMed Central

    Hou, Yunfang; Wong, Karen A.; Lee, Daniel; Rushbrook, Julie I.; Gulaya, Karan; Hines, Roberta; Hollis, Tamika; Nistal Nuno, Beatriz; Mangi, Abeel A.; Hashim, Sabet; Pekna, Marcela; Catalfamo, Amy; Chin, Hsiao-ying; Patel, Foramben; Rayala, Sravani; Shevde, Ketan; Heeger, Peter S.

    2017-01-01

    The pathophysiology of myocardial injury that results from cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is incompletely understood. Experimental evidence from murine models indicates that innate immune mechanisms including complement activation via the classical and lectin pathways are crucial. Whether factor B (fB), a component of the alternative complement pathway required for amplification of complement cascade activation, participates in the pathophysiology of myocardial I/R injury has not been addressed. We induced regional myocardial I/R injury by transient coronary ligation in WT C57BL/6 mice, a manipulation that resulted in marked myocardial necrosis associated with activation of fB protein and myocardial deposition of C3 activation products. In contrast, in fB-/- mice, the same procedure resulted in significantly reduced myocardial necrosis (% ventricular tissue necrotic; fB-/- mice, 20 ± 4%; WT mice, 45 ± 3%; P < 0.05) and diminished deposition of C3 activation products in the myocardial tissue (fB-/- mice, 0 ± 0%; WT mice, 31 ± 6%; P<0.05). Reconstitution of fB-/- mice with WT serum followed by cardiac I/R restored the myocardial necrosis and activated C3 deposition in the myocardium. In translational human studies we measured levels of activated fB (Bb) in intracoronary blood samples obtained during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery before and after aortic cross clamping (AXCL), during which global heart ischemia was induced. Intracoronary Bb increased immediately after AXCL, and the levels were directly correlated with peripheral blood levels of cardiac troponin I, an established biomarker of myocardial necrosis (Spearman coefficient = 0.465, P < 0.01). Taken together, our results support the conclusion that circulating fB is a crucial pathophysiological amplifier of I/R-induced, complement-dependent myocardial necrosis and identify fB as a potential therapeutic target for prevention of human myocardial I/R injury. PMID:28662037

  7. Activation of complement factor B contributes to murine and human myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

    PubMed

    Chun, Nicholas; Haddadin, Ala S; Liu, Junying; Hou, Yunfang; Wong, Karen A; Lee, Daniel; Rushbrook, Julie I; Gulaya, Karan; Hines, Roberta; Hollis, Tamika; Nistal Nuno, Beatriz; Mangi, Abeel A; Hashim, Sabet; Pekna, Marcela; Catalfamo, Amy; Chin, Hsiao-Ying; Patel, Foramben; Rayala, Sravani; Shevde, Ketan; Heeger, Peter S; Zhang, Ming

    2017-01-01

    The pathophysiology of myocardial injury that results from cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is incompletely understood. Experimental evidence from murine models indicates that innate immune mechanisms including complement activation via the classical and lectin pathways are crucial. Whether factor B (fB), a component of the alternative complement pathway required for amplification of complement cascade activation, participates in the pathophysiology of myocardial I/R injury has not been addressed. We induced regional myocardial I/R injury by transient coronary ligation in WT C57BL/6 mice, a manipulation that resulted in marked myocardial necrosis associated with activation of fB protein and myocardial deposition of C3 activation products. In contrast, in fB-/- mice, the same procedure resulted in significantly reduced myocardial necrosis (% ventricular tissue necrotic; fB-/- mice, 20 ± 4%; WT mice, 45 ± 3%; P < 0.05) and diminished deposition of C3 activation products in the myocardial tissue (fB-/- mice, 0 ± 0%; WT mice, 31 ± 6%; P<0.05). Reconstitution of fB-/- mice with WT serum followed by cardiac I/R restored the myocardial necrosis and activated C3 deposition in the myocardium. In translational human studies we measured levels of activated fB (Bb) in intracoronary blood samples obtained during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery before and after aortic cross clamping (AXCL), during which global heart ischemia was induced. Intracoronary Bb increased immediately after AXCL, and the levels were directly correlated with peripheral blood levels of cardiac troponin I, an established biomarker of myocardial necrosis (Spearman coefficient = 0.465, P < 0.01). Taken together, our results support the conclusion that circulating fB is a crucial pathophysiological amplifier of I/R-induced, complement-dependent myocardial necrosis and identify fB as a potential therapeutic target for prevention of human myocardial I/R injury.

  8. Custodiol for myocardial protection and preservation: a systematic review

    PubMed Central

    Seco, Michael; Dunne, Ben; Matzelle, Shannon J.; Murphy, Michelle; Joshi, Pragnesh; Yan, Tristan D.; Wilson, Michael K.; Bannon, Paul G.; Vallely, Michael P.; Passage, Jurgen

    2013-01-01

    Introduction Custodiol cardioplegia is attractive for minimally invasive cardiac surgery, as a single dose provides a long period of myocardial protection. Despite widespread use in Europe, there is little data confirming its efficacy compared with conventional (blood or crystalloid) cardioplegia. There is similar enthusiasm for its use in organ preservation for transplant, but also a lack of data. This systematic review aimed to assess the evidence for the efficacy of Custodiol in myocardial protection and as a preservation solution in heart transplant. Methods Electronic searches were performed of six databases from inception to October 2013. Reviewers independently identified studies that compared Custodiol with conventional cardioplegia (blood or extracellular crystalloid) in adult patients for meta-analysis; large case series that reported results using Custodiol were analyzed. Next, we identified studies that compared Custodiol with other organ preservation solutions for organ preservation in heart transplant. Results Fourteen studies compared Custodiol with conventional cardioplegia for myocardial protection in adult cardiac surgery. No difference was identified in mortality; there was a trend for increased incidence of ventricular fibrillation in the Custodiol group that did not reach statistical significance. No difference was identified in studies that compared Custodiol with other solutions for heart transplant. Conclusions Despite widespread clinical use, the evidence supporting the superiority of Custodiol over other solutions for myocardial protection or organ preservation is limited. Large randomised trials are required. PMID:24349972

  9. Early Use of N-acetylcysteine With Nitrate Therapy in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Reduces Myocardial Infarct Size (the NACIAM Trial [N-acetylcysteine in Acute Myocardial Infarction]).

    PubMed

    Pasupathy, Sivabaskari; Tavella, Rosanna; Grover, Suchi; Raman, Betty; Procter, Nathan E K; Du, Yang Timothy; Mahadavan, Gnanadevan; Stafford, Irene; Heresztyn, Tamila; Holmes, Andrew; Zeitz, Christopher; Arstall, Margaret; Selvanayagam, Joseph; Horowitz, John D; Beltrame, John F

    2017-09-05

    Contemporary ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction management involves primary percutaneous coronary intervention, with ongoing studies focusing on infarct size reduction using ancillary therapies. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant with reactive oxygen species scavenging properties that also potentiates the effects of nitroglycerin and thus represents a potentially beneficial ancillary therapy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The NACIAM trial (N-acetylcysteine in Acute Myocardial Infarction) examined the effects of NAC on infarct size in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated the effects of intravenous high-dose NAC (29 g over 2 days) with background low-dose nitroglycerin (7.2 mg over 2 days) on early cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-assessed infarct size. Secondary end points included cardiac magnetic resonance-determined myocardial salvage and creatine kinase kinetics. Of 112 randomized patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, 75 (37 in NAC group, 38 in placebo group) underwent early cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Median duration of ischemia pretreatment was 2.4 hours. With background nitroglycerin infusion administered to all patients, those randomized to NAC exhibited an absolute 5.5% reduction in cardiac magnetic resonance-assessed infarct size relative to placebo (median, 11.0%; [interquartile range 4.1, 16.3] versus 16.5%; [interquartile range 10.7, 24.2]; P =0.02). Myocardial salvage was approximately doubled in the NAC group (60%; interquartile range, 37-79) compared with placebo (27%; interquartile range, 14-42; P <0.01) and median creatine kinase areas under the curve were 22 000 and 38 000 IU·h in the NAC and placebo groups, respectively ( P =0.08). High-dose intravenous NAC administered with low-dose intravenous nitroglycerin is associated with reduced

  10. Effects of glutamine treatment on myocardial damage and cardiac function in rats after severe burn injury.

    PubMed

    Yan, Hong; Zhang, Yong; Lv, Shang-jun; Wang, Lin; Liang, Guang-ping; Wan, Qian-xue; Peng, Xi

    2012-01-01

    Treatment with glutamine has been shown to reduce myocardial damage associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the cardioprotective effect of glutamine specifically after burn injury remains unclear. The present study explores the ability of glutamine to protect against myocardial damage in rats that have been severely burned. Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal controls (C), burned controls (B) and a glutamine-treated group (G). Groups B and G were subjected to full thickness burns comprising 30% of total body surface area. Group G was administered 1.5 g/ (kg•d) glutamine and group B was given the same dose of alanine via intragastric administration for 3 days. Levels of serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST) and blood lactic acid were measured, as well as myocardial ATP and glutathione (GSH) contents. Cardiac function indices and histopathological changes were analyzed at 12, 24, 48 and 72 post-burn hours. In both burned groups, levels of serum CK, LDH, AST and blood lactic acid increased significantly, while myocardial ATP and GSH contents decreased. Compared with group B, CK, LDH, and AST levels were lower and blood lactic acid, myocardial ATP and GSH levels were higher in group G. Moreover, cardiac contractile function inhibition and myocardial histopathological damage were significantly reduced in group G compared to B. Taken together, these results show that glutamine supplementation protects myocardial structure and function after burn injury by improving energy metabolism and by promoted the synthesis of ATP and GSH in cardiac myocytes.

  11. Effects of glutamine treatment on myocardial damage and cardiac function in rats after severe burn injury

    PubMed Central

    Yan, Hong; Zhang, Yong; Lv, Shang-jun; Wang, Lin; Liang, Guang-ping; Wan, Qian-xue; Peng, Xi

    2012-01-01

    Treatment with glutamine has been shown to reduce myocardial damage associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the cardioprotective effect of glutamine specifically after burn injury remains unclear. The present study explores the ability of glutamine to protect against myocardial damage in rats that have been severely burned. Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal controls (C), burned controls (B) and a glutamine-treated group (G). Groups B and G were subjected to full thickness burns comprising 30% of total body surface area. Group G was administered 1.5 g/ (kg•d) glutamine and group B was given the same dose of alanine via intragastric administration for 3 days. Levels of serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST) and blood lactic acid were measured, as well as myocardial ATP and glutathione (GSH) contents. Cardiac function indices and histopathological changes were analyzed at 12, 24, 48 and 72 post-burn hours. In both burned groups, levels of serum CK, LDH, AST and blood lactic acid increased significantly, while myocardial ATP and GSH contents decreased. Compared with group B, CK, LDH, and AST levels were lower and blood lactic acid, myocardial ATP and GSH levels were higher in group G. Moreover, cardiac contractile function inhibition and myocardial histopathological damage were significantly reduced in group G compared to B. Taken together, these results show that glutamine supplementation protects myocardial structure and function after burn injury by improving energy metabolism and by promotedthe synthesis of ATP and GSH in cardiac myocytes. PMID:22977661

  12. Protective effects of circulating microvesicles derived from myocardial ischemic rats on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yao; Wei, Su; Wang, Yi-Lu; Liu, Miao; Shang, Man; Zhang, Qi; Wu, Yan-Na; Liu, Ming-Lin; Song, Jun-Qiu; Liu, Yan-Xia

    2017-08-15

    To investigate the effects of circulating microvesicles derived from myocardial ischemia (I-MVs) on apoptosis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. I-MVs from rats undergoing myocardial left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation were isolated by ultracentrifugation from circulating blood and characterized by flow cytometry. I-MVs were administered intravenously (4.8 mg/kg) at 5 min before reperfusion procedure in I/R injury model which was induced by 30-min of ischemia and 120-min of reperfusion of LAD in rats. Treatment with I-MVssignificantly reduced the size of myocardial infarction, the activities of serum CK-MB and LDH, and the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes. The activities of caspase 3, caspase 9 and caspase 12 in myocardium were also decreased significantly with I-MVs treatment. Moreover, the expression of Bax was decreased but Bcl-2 was increased. The expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase 2 (SERCA2) and phosphorylated phospholamban (p-PLB) were increased after being treated with I-MVs. I-MVs could protect hearts from I/R injury in rats through SERCA2 and p-PLB of calcium regulatory proteins to alleviate intrinsic myocardial apoptosis including mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum pathways.

  13. Nitroglycerin Use in Myocardial Infarction Patients: Risks and Benefits

    PubMed Central

    Ferreira, Julio C.B.; Mochly-Rosen, Daria

    2012-01-01

    Acute myocardial infarction and its sequelae are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nitroglycerin remains a first-line treatment for angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Nitroglycerin achieves its benefit by giving rise to nitric oxide, which causes vasodilation and increases blood flow to the myocardium. However, continuous delivery of nitroglycerin results in tolerance, limiting the use of this drug. Nitroglycerin tolerance is due, at least in part, to inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an enzyme that converts nitroglycerin to the vasodilator, nitric oxide. We have recently found that, in addition to nitroglycerin’s effect on the vasculature, sustained treatment with nitroglycerin negatively affects cardiomyocyte viability following ischemia, thus resulting in increased infarct size in a myocardial infarction model in animals. Co-administration of Alda-1, an activator of ALDH2, with nitroglycerin improves metabolism of reactive aldehyde adducts and prevents the nitroglycerin-induced increase in cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms associated with the benefits and risks of nitroglycerin administration in myocardial infarction. (167 of 200). PMID:22040938

  14. Myocardial injury in dogs with snake envenomation and its relation to systemic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Langhorn, Rebecca; Persson, Frida; Ablad, Björn; Goddard, Amelia; Schoeman, Johan P; Willesen, Jakob L; Tarnow, Inge; Kjelgaard-Hansen, Mads

    2014-01-01

    To investigate the presence of myocardial injury in dogs hospitalized for snake envenomation and to examine its relationship with systemic inflammation. Prospective case-control study. University teaching hospital and small animal referral hospital. Dogs naturally envenomed by the European viper (Vipera berus; n = 24), African puff adder (Bitis arietans; n = 5), or snouted cobra (Naja annulifera; n = 9). Blood was collected from dogs envenomed by V. berus at admission, 12-24 hours postadmission, and 5-10 days postadmission. Blood was collected from dogs envenomed by B. arietans or N. annulifera at admission, and 12, 24, and 36 hours postadmission. Concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a marker of myocardial injury, and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, were measured in each blood sample. Evidence of myocardial injury was found in 58% of dogs envenomed by V. berus at one or more time points. A significant correlation between cTnI and CRP concentrations was found at all time points. Evidence of myocardial injury was found in 80% of dogs envenomed by B. arietans at one or more time points; however, no correlation was found between cTnI and CRP concentrations. Evidence of myocardial injury was found in 67% of dogs envenomed by N. annulifera at one or more time points. A significant correlation between cTnI and CRP concentrations was found at admission, but not at other time points. Myocardial injury frequently occurred in dogs with snake envenomation. While the degree of systemic inflammation was significantly correlated with degree of myocardial injury in V. berus envenomation at all time points, this was not the case in dogs envenomed by N. annulifera or B. arietans. This could be due to differences in the toxic substances of the snake venoms or to differences in the cytokines induced by the venom toxins. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2013.

  15. Improvement of Hyperemic Myocardial Oxygen Extraction Fraction Estimation By A Diffusion Prepared Sequence

    PubMed Central

    McCommis, Kyle S.; Koktzoglou, Ioannis; Zhang, Haosen; Goldstein, Thomas A.; Northrup, Benjamin E.; Li, Debiao; Gropler, Robert J.; Zheng, Jie

    2010-01-01

    Myocardial oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) during hyperemia can be estimated using a double-inversion-recovery (DIR) prepared T2-weighted black-blood sequence. Severe irregular ECG-triggering due to elevated heart rate and/or arrhythmias may render it difficult to adequately suppress the flowing left ventricle blood signal and thus potentially cause errors in the estimates of myocardial OEF. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate another black-blood technique, a diffusion-weighted (DW)-prepared TSE sequence for its ability to determine regional myocardial OEF during hyperemia. Control dogs and dogs with acute coronary artery stenosis were imaged with both the DIR- and DW-prepared TSE sequences at rest and during either dipyridamole or dobutamine hyperemia. Validation of MRI OEF estimates was performed using blood sampling from the artery and coronary sinus in control dogs. The two methods showed comparable correlations with blood sampling results (R2 = 0.9). Similar OEF estimations for all dogs were observed except for the group of dogs with severe coronary stenosis during dobutamine stress. In these dogs, the DW method provided more physiologically reasonable OEF (hyperemic OEF = 0.75 ± 0.08 vs resting OEF of 0.6) than the DIR method (hyperemic OEF = 0.56 ± 0.10). DW-preparation may be a valuable alternative for more accurate oxygenation measurements during irregular ECG-triggering. PMID:20512871

  16. 3D perfusion mapping in the intact mouse heart after myocardial infarction using myocardial contrast echocardiography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yinbo; Yang, Zequan; French, Brent A.; Hossack, John A.

    2005-04-01

    An intact mouse model of surgically-induced myocardial infarction (MI) caused by permanent occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery was studied. Normal mice with no occlusion were also studied as controls. For each mouse, contrast enhanced ultrasound images of the heart were acquired in parallel cross-sections perpendicular to the sternum at millimeter increments. For accurate 3D reconstruction, ECG gating and a tri-axial adjustable micromanipulator were used for temporal and spatial registration. Ultrasound images at steady-state of blood refilling were color-coded in each slice to show relative perfusion. Myocardial perfusion defects and necrosis were also examined postmortem by staining with Phthalo blue and TTC red dyes. Good correlation (R>0.93) in perfused area size was observed between in vivo measurements and histological staining. A 3D multi-slice model and a 3D rendering of perfusion distribution were created and showed a promising match with postmortem results, lending further credence to its use as a more comprehensive and more reliable tool for in vivo assessment of myocardial perfusion than 2D tomographic analysis.

  17. Effects of Insulin Resistance on Myocardial Blood Flow and Arterial Peripheral Circulation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Aldrighi, José M; Tsutsui, Jeane M; Kowastch, Ingrid; Ribeiro, Alessandra L; Scapinelli, Alessandro; Tamanaha, Sonia; Oliveira, Ricardo M; Mathias, Wilson

    2015-08-01

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) on myocardial microcirculation and peripheral artery function in patients with PCOS. We studied 55 women (28 with PCOS without IR, 18 with PCOS and IR and 11 normal controls) who underwent laboratorial analysis, high-resolution vascular ultrasound and real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were evaluated by vascular ultrasound. The replenishment velocity (β), plateau of acoustic intensity (A) and myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) were determined by quantitative dipyridamole stress RTMCE. β reserve in group PCOS + IR was lower than control (2.34 ± 0.55 vs. 3.60 ± 0.6; P < 0.001) and than PCOS without IR (2.34 ± 0.55 vs. 3.17 ± 0.65; P < 0.001). MBFR in patients with PCOS without IR did not differ from those of control (4.59 ± 1.59 vs. 5.30 ± 1.64; P = 0.22) or from patients with PCOS + IR (4.59 ± 1.59 vs. 3.70 ± 1.47; P = 0.07). When comparing with control group, patients with PCOS + IR had lower MBFR (5.30 ± 1.64 vs. 3.70 ± 1.47; P = 0.01). No significant differences were found between control, PCOS without IR and PCOS + IR for FMD (0.18 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.04 and 0.13 ± 0.07; P =NS) or IMT (0.48 ± 0.05, 0.47 ± 0.05 and 0.49 ± 0.07; P = NS). Women with PCOS and IR had depressed β and MBFR as demonstrated by quantitative RTMCE, but no alteration in endothelial dysfunction or IMT. PCOS without IR showed isolated depression in β reserve, probably an earlier marker of myocardial flow abnormality. © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. [Concordance between central venous and arterial blood gases in post-surgical myocardial revascularization patients in stable condition].

    PubMed

    Santos-Martínez, Luis Efren; Guevara-Carrasco, Marlene; Naranjo-Ricoy, Guillermo; Baranda-Tovar, Francisco Martín; Moreno-Ruíz, Luis Antonio; Herrera-Velázquez, Marco Antonio; Magaña-Serrano, José Antonio; Valencia-Sánchez, Jesús Salvador; Calderón-Abbo, Moisés Cutiel

    2014-01-01

    The concordance between the parameters of arterial and central venous blood gases has not been defined yet. We studied the concordance between both parameters in post-surgical myocardial revascularization patients in stable condition. Consecutive subjects were studied in a cross-sectional design. The position of the central venous catheter was performed and simultaneously we obtained arterial and central venous blood samples prior to discharge from the intensive care unit. Data are expressed according to Bland-Altman statistical method and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Statistical result was accepted at P<.05. Two hundred and six samples were studied of 103 post-surgical patients, pH and lactate had a mean difference (limits of agreement) 0.029±0.048 (-0018, 0.077) and -0.12±0.22 (-0.57, 0.33) respectively. The magnitude of the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.904 and 0.943 respectively. The values related to oxygen pressure were 27.86±6.08 (15.9, 39.8) and oxygen saturation 33.02±6.13 (21, 45), with magnitude of 0.258 and 0.418 respectively. The best matching parameters between arterial and central venous blood samples were pH and lactate. Copyright © 2013 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

  19. Myocardial contrast echocardiography in mice: technical and physiological aspects.

    PubMed

    Verkaik, Melissa; van Poelgeest, Erik M; Kwekkeboom, Rick F J; Ter Wee, Piet M; van den Brom, Charissa E; Vervloet, Marc G; Eringa, Etto C

    2018-03-01

    Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) offers the opportunity to study myocardial perfusion defects in mice in detail. The value of MCE compared with single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and computed tomography consists of high spatial resolution, the possibility of quantification of blood volume, and relatively low costs. Nevertheless, a number of technical and physiological aspects should be considered to ensure reproducibility among research groups. The aim of this overview is to describe technical aspects of MCE and the physiological parameters that influence myocardial perfusion data obtained with this technique. First, technical aspects of MCE discussed in this technical review are logarithmic compression of ultrasound data by ultrasound systems, saturation of the contrast signal, and acquisition of images during different phases of the cardiac cycle. Second, physiological aspects of myocardial perfusion that are affected by the experimental design are discussed, including the anesthesia regimen, systemic cardiovascular effects of vasoactive agents used, and fluctuations in body temperature that alter myocardial perfusion. When these technical and physiological aspects of MCE are taken into account and adequately standardized, MCE is an easily accessible technique for mice that can be used to study the control of myocardial perfusion by a wide range of factors.

  20. Myocardial Bridge

    MedlinePlus

    ... Center > Myocardial Bridge Menu Topics Topics FAQs Myocardial Bridge En español Your heart is made of muscle, ... surface of the heart. What is a myocardial bridge? A myocardial bridge is a band of heart ...

  1. Irisin: a potentially candidate marker for myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Kuloglu, Tuncay; Aydin, Suna; Eren, Mehmet Nesimi; Yilmaz, Musa; Sahin, Ibrahim; Kalayci, Mehmet; Sarman, Emine; Kaya, Nalan; Yilmaz, Osman Fatih; Turk, Ahmet; Aydin, Yalcin; Yalcin, Mehmet Hanifi; Uras, Nimet; Gurel, Ali; Ilhan, Selcuk; Gul, Evrim; Aydin, Suleyman

    2014-05-01

    Myocardial infarction (MI) causes energy depletion through imbalance between coronary blood supply and myocardial demand. Irisin produced by the heart reduces ATP production by increasing heat generation. Energy depletion affects irisin concentration in circulation and cardiac tissues, suggesting an association with MI. We examined: (1) irisin expression immunohistochemically in rat heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and liver in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI, and (2) serum irisin concentration by ELISA. Rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups (n=6), (i) control, (ii) ISO (1h), (iii) ISO (2h), (iv) ISO (4h), (v) ISO (6h), and (vi) ISO (24h), 200mg ISO in each case. Rats were decapitated and the blood and tissues collected for irisin analysis. Blood was centrifuged at 1792 g for 5 min. Tissues were washed with saline and fixed in 10% formalin for histology. Serum irisin levels gradually decreased from 1h to 24h in MI rats compared with controls, the minimum being at 2h, increasing again after 6h. Cardiac muscle cells, glomerular, peritubular renal cortical interstitial cells, hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal cells and perimysium, endomysium and nucleoi of skeletal muscle were irisin positive, but its synthesis decreased 1-4h after MI. At all time-points, irisin increased near myocardial connective tissue, with production in skeletal muscle, liver and kidney recovering after 6h, although slower than controls. Unique insight into the pathogenesis of MI is shown, and the gradually decrease of serum irisin might be a diagnostic marker for MI. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Pericardial application as a new route for implanting stem-cell cardiospheres to treat myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jianhua; Wu, Zheng; Fan, Zepei; Qin, Zixi; Wang, Yingwei; Chen, Jiayuan; Wu, Maoxiong; Chen, Yangxin; Wu, Changhao; Wang, Jingfeng

    2018-06-01

    Cardiospheres (CSps) are a promising new form of cardiac stem cells with advantage over other stem cells for myocardial regeneration, but direct implantation of CSps by conventional routes has been limited due to potential embolism. We have implanted CSps into the pericardial cavity and systematically demonstrated its efficacy regarding myocardial infarction. Stem cell potency and cell viability can be optimized in vitro prior to implantation by pre-conditioning CSps with pericardial fluid and hydrogel packing. Transplantation of optimized CSps into the pericardial cavity improved cardiac function and alleviated myocardial fibrosis, increased myocardial cell survival and promoted angiogenesis. Mechanistically, CSps are able to directly differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo and promote regeneration of myocardial cells and blood vessels through a paracrine effect with released growth factors as potential paracrine mediators. These findings establish a new strategy for therapeutic myocardial regeneration to treat myocardial infarction. Cardiospheres (CSps) are a new form of cardiac stem cells with an advantage over other stem cells for myocardial regeneration. However, direct implantation of CSps by conventional routes to treat myocardial infarction has been limited due to potential embolism. We have implanted CSps into the pericardial cavity and systematically assessed its efficacy on myocardial infarction. Preconditioning with pericardial fluid enhanced the activity of CSps and matrix hydrogel prolonged their viability. This shows that pretransplant optimization of stem cell potency and maintenance of cell viability can be achieved with CSps. Transplantation of optimized CSps into the pericardial cavity improved cardiac function and alleviated myocardial fibrosis in the non-infarcted area, and increased myocardial cell survival and promoted angiogenesis in the infarcted area. Mechanistically, CSps were able to directly differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo

  3. Quantification of regional myocardial blood flow estimation with three-dimensional dynamic rubidium-82 PET and modified spillover correction model.

    PubMed

    Katoh, Chietsugu; Yoshinaga, Keiichiro; Klein, Ran; Kasai, Katsuhiko; Tomiyama, Yuuki; Manabe, Osamu; Naya, Masanao; Sakakibara, Mamoru; Tsutsui, Hiroyuki; deKemp, Robert A; Tamaki, Nagara

    2012-08-01

    Myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimation with (82)Rubidium ((82)Rb) positron emission tomography (PET) is technically difficult because of the high spillover between regions of interest, especially due to the long positron range. We sought to develop a new algorithm to reduce the spillover in image-derived blood activity curves, using non-uniform weighted least-squares fitting. Fourteen volunteers underwent imaging with both 3-dimensional (3D) (82)Rb and (15)O-water PET at rest and during pharmacological stress. Whole left ventricular (LV) (82)Rb MBF was estimated using a one-compartment model, including a myocardium-to-blood spillover correction to estimate the corresponding blood input function Ca(t)(whole). Regional K1 values were calculated using this uniform global input function, which simplifies equations and enables robust estimation of MBF. To assess the robustness of the modified algorithm, inter-operator repeatability of 3D (82)Rb MBF was compared with a previously established method. Whole LV correlation of (82)Rb MBF with (15)O-water MBF was better (P < .01) with the modified spillover correction method (r = 0.92 vs r = 0.60). The modified method also yielded significantly improved inter-operator repeatability of regional MBF quantification (r = 0.89) versus the established method (r = 0.82) (P < .01). A uniform global input function can suppress LV spillover into the image-derived blood input function, resulting in improved precision for MBF quantification with 3D (82)Rb PET.

  4. Myocardial Rupture in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Mechanistic Explanation Based on the Ventricular Myocardial Band Hypothesis.

    PubMed

    Vargas-Barron, Jesús; Antunez-Montes, Omar-Yassef; Roldán, Francisco-Javier; Aranda-Frausto, Alberto; González-Pacheco, Hector; Romero-Cardenas, Ángel; Zabalgoitia, Miguel

    2015-01-01

    Torrent-Guasp explains the structure of the ventricular myocardium by means of a helical muscular band. Our primary purpose was to demonstrate the utility of echocardiography in human and porcine hearts in identifying the segments of the myocardial band. The second purpose was to evaluate the relation of the topographic distribution of the myocardial band with some post-myocardial infarction ruptures. Five porcine and one human heart without cardiopathy were dissected and the ventricular myocardial segments were color-coded for illustration and reconstruction purposes. These segments were then correlated to the conventional echocardiographic images. Afterwards in three cases with post-myocardial infarction rupture, a correlation of the topographic location of the rupture with the distribution of the ventricular band was made. The human ventricular band does not show any differences from the porcine band, which confirms the similarities of the four segments; these segments could be identified by echocardiography. In three cases with myocardial rupture, a correlation of the intra-myocardial dissection with the distribution of the ventricular band was observed. Echocardiography is helpful in identifying the myocardial band segments as well as the correlation with the topographic distribution of some myocardial post-infarction ruptures.

  5. Assessment of vital exhaustion and identification of subjects at increased risk of myocardial infarction in general practice.

    PubMed

    Schuitemaker, G E; Dinant, G J; van der Pol, G A; Appels, A

    2004-01-01

    Vital exhaustion, a state characterized by unusual fatigue, loss of energy, increased irritability, and feelings of demoralization, is one of the cardiovascular risk factors. The authors investigated whether vital exhaustion contributes to the identification of subjects at increased risk of myocardial infarction in general practice. In this prospective cohort study, vital exhaustion was assessed with the Maastricht Interview on Vital Exhaustion. Other cardiovascular risk factors established were age, gender, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, body mass index, smoking habits, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. A Cox regression analysis was used. The subjects were adults (41-66 years) in an average Dutch village population. Outcome measures were fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction. At the univariate level, vital exhaustion doubled the risk of myocardial infarction. The effect of exhaustion was confounded by gender; women had higher exhaustion scores and a lower incidence of myocardial infarction. With control for gender, age, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking habits, self-reported cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, vital exhaustion almost tripled the risk of myocardial infarction. Assessment of vital exhaustion contributes to the identification of subjects at increased risk of myocardial infarction in general practice.

  6. Quantification of myocardial infarction: a comparison of single photon-emission computed tomography with pyrophosphate to serial plasma MB-creatine kinase measurements

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jansen, D.E.; Corbett, J.R.; Wolfe, C.L.

    1985-08-01

    Single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) with /sup 99m/Tc-pyrophosphate (PPi) has been shown to estimate size of myocardial infarction accurately in animals. The authors tested the hypothesis that SPECT with /sup /sup 99m//Tc-PPi and blood pool subtraction can provide prompt and accurate estimates of size of myocardial infarction in patients. SPECT estimates are potentially available early after the onset of infarction and should correlate with estimates of infarct size calculated from serial measurements of plasma MB-creatine kinase (CK) activity. Thirty-three patients with acute myocardial infarction and 16 control patients without acute myocardial infarction were studied. Eleven of the patients had transmuralmore » anterior myocardial infarction, 16 had transmural inferior myocardial infarction, and six had nontransmural myocardial infarction. SPECT was performed with a commercially available rotating gamma camera. Identical projection images of the distribution of 99mTc-PPi and the ungated cardiac blood pool were acquired sequentially over 180 degrees. Reconstructed sections were color coded and superimposed for purposes of localization of infarct. Areas of increased PPi uptake within myocardial infarcts were thresholded at 65% of peak activity. The blood pool was thresholded at 50% and subtracted to determine the endocardial border for the left ventricle. Myocardial infarcts ranged in size from 1 to 126 gram equivalents (geq) MB-CK. The correlation of MB-CK estimates of size of infarct with size determined by SPECT (both in geq) was good (r = .89 with a regression line of y = 13.1 + 1.5x).« less

  7. Endothelial function is associated with myocardial diastolic function in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Chin, Calvin W L; Chin, Chee-Yang; Ng, Marie X R; Le, Thu-Thao; Huang, Fei-Qiong; Fong, Kok-Yong; Thumboo, Julian; Tan, Ru-San

    2014-09-01

    Endothelial dysfunction is associated with traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-specific risk factors, and early data suggest reversibility of endothelial dysfunction with therapy. The clinical relevance of endothelial function assessment has been limited by the lack of studies, demonstrating its prognostic significance and impact on early myocardial function. Therefore, we aimed to determine the association between endothelial and myocardial diastolic function in SLE women. Women with SLE and no coronary artery disease were prospectively recruited and underwent radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (Jetstream, Philips, the Netherlands) to exclude subclinical myocardial ischemia. Cardiac and vascular functions were assessed in all patients (Alpha 10, Aloka, Tokyo). Diastolic function was assessed using pulse wave early (E) and late mitral blood inflow and myocardial tissue Doppler (mean of medial and lateral annulus e') velocities. Endothelial function was measured using brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD%). Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to assess the association between FMD% and myocardial diastolic function, adjusting for potential confounders. Thirty-eight patients without detectable myocardial ischemia on MPI were studied (mean age 44 ± 10 years; mean disease duration 14 ± 6 years). About 61 % of patients had normal diastolic function (E/e' ≤ 8), and 5 % of patients had definite diastolic dysfunction with E/e' > 13 (mean 7.1 ± 2.9). FMD% was associated with E/e' (regression coefficient β = -0.35; 95 % CI -0.62 to -0.08; p = 0.01) independent of systolic blood pressure, age, and SLICC/ACR Damage Index.

  8. Mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR): a nonpharmacological approach to treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Jordan, James E; Pereira, Beatriz D; Lane, Magan R; Morykwas, Michael J; McGee, Maria; Argenta, Louis C

    2015-08-01

    Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is known to trigger an inflammatory response involving edema, apoptosis, and neutrophil activation/accumulation. Recently, mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR) was described as a potent cardioprotective strategy for reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Here, we further describe the protective actions of MTR and begin to define its therapeutic window. A left ventricular, free-wall ischemic area was created in anesthetized swine for 85 minutes and then reperfused for three hours. Animals were randomized to two groups: (1) untreated controls (Control) and (2) application of MTR that was delayed 90 minutes after the initiation of reperfusion (D90). Hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow were assessed at multiple time points. Infarct size and neutrophil accumulation were assessed following the reperfusion period. In separate cohorts, the effect of MTR on myocardial interstitial water (MRI imaging) and blood flow was examined. Both groups had similar areas at risk (AAR), hemodynamics, and arterial blood gas values. MTR, even when delayed 90 minutes into reperfusion (D90, 29.2 ± 5.0% of AAR), reduced infarct size significantly compared to Controls (51.9 ± 2.7%, p = 0.006). This protection was associated with a 33% decrease in neutrophil accumulation (p = 0.047). Improvements in blood flow and interstitial water were also observed. Moreover, we demonstrated that the therapeutic window for MTR lasts for at least 90 minutes following reperfusion. This study confirms our previous observations that MTR is an effective therapeutic approach to reducing reperfusion injury with a clinically useful treatment window. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. Cardiac CT for myocardial ischaemia detection and characterization--comparative analysis.

    PubMed

    Bucher, A M; De Cecco, C N; Schoepf, U J; Wang, R; Meinel, F G; Binukrishnan, S R; Spearman, J V; Vogl, T J; Ruzsics, B

    2014-11-01

    The assessment of patients presenting with symptoms of myocardial ischaemia remains one of the most common and challenging clinical scenarios faced by physicians. Current imaging modalities are capable of three-dimensional, functional and anatomical views of the heart and as such offer a unique contribution to understanding and managing the pathology involved. Evidence has accumulated that visual anatomical coronary evaluation does not adequately predict haemodynamic relevance and should be complemented by physiological evaluation, highlighting the importance of functional assessment. Technical advances in CT technology over the past decade have progressively moved cardiac CT imaging into the clinical workflow. In addition to anatomical evaluation, cardiac CT is capable of providing myocardial perfusion parameters. A variety of CT techniques can be used to assess the myocardial perfusion. The single energy first-pass CT and dual energy first-pass CT allow static assessment of myocardial blood pool. Dynamic cardiac CT imaging allows quantification of myocardial perfusion through time-resolved attenuation data. CT-based myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is showing promising diagnostic accuracy compared with the current reference modalities. The aim of this review is to present currently available myocardial perfusion techniques with a focus on CT imaging in light of recent clinical investigations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of currently available CT approaches of static and dynamic MPI and presents the results of corresponding clinical trials.

  10. A tourniquet assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation augments myocardial perfusion in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

    PubMed

    Yang, Zhengfei; Tang, David; Wu, Xiaobo; Hu, Xianwen; Xu, Jiefeng; Qian, Jie; Yang, Min; Tang, Wanchun

    2015-01-01

    During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), myocardial blood flow generated by chest compression rarely exceeds 35% of its normal level. Cardiac output generated by chest compression decreases gradually with the prolongation of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Early studies have demonstrated that myocardial blood flow during CPR is largely dependent on peripheral vascular resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of chest compression in combination with physical control of peripheral vascular resistance assisted by tourniquets on myocardial blood flow during CPR. Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 7 min in ten male domestic pigs weighing between 33 and 37 kg. The animals were then randomized to receive CPR alone or a tourniquet assisted CPR (T-CPR). In the CPR alone group, chest compression was performed by a miniaturized mechanical chest compressor. In the T-CPR group, coincident with the start of resuscitation, the thin elastic tourniquets were wrapped around the four limbs from the distal end to the proximal part. After 2 min of CPR, epinephrine (20 μg/kg) was administered via the femoral vein. After 5 min of CPR, defibrillation was attempted by a single 150 J shock. If resuscitation was not successful, CPR was resumed for 2 min before the next defibrillation. The protocol was continued until successful resuscitation or for a total of 15 min. Five minutes after resuscitation, the elastic tourniquets were removed. The resuscitated animals were observed for 2h. T-CPR generated significantly greater coronary perfusion pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide and carotid blood flow. There was no difference in both intrathoracic positive and negative pressures between the two groups. All animals were successfully resuscitated with a single shock in both groups. There were no significant changes in hemodynamics observed in the animals treated in the T-CPR group before-and-after the release of tourniquets at post-resuscitation 5 min. T

  11. Non-O blood groups can be a prognostic marker of in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

    PubMed

    Cetin, Mehmet Serkan; Ozcan Cetin, Elif Hande; Aras, Dursun; Topaloglu, Serkan; Temizhan, Ahmet; Kisacik, Halil Lutfi; Aydogdu, Sinan

    2015-09-01

    Recent studies have suggested ABO blood type locus as an inherited predictor of thrombosis, cardiovascular risk factors, myocardial infarction. However, data is scarce about the impact of non-O blood groups on prognosis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic importance of non-O blood groups in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) METHODS: 1835 consecutive patients who were admitted with acute STEMI between 2010 and 2015 were included and followed-up for a median of 35.6months. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia, total cholesterol, LDL, peak CKMB and no-reflow as well as hospitalization duration were higher in patients with non-O blood groups. Gensini score did not differ between groups. During the in-hospital and long-term follow-up period, MACE, the prevalence of stent thrombosis, non-fatal MI, and mortality were higher in non-O blood groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, non-0 blood groups were demonstrated to be independent predictors of in-hospital (OR:2.085 %CI: 1.328-3.274 p=0.001) and long term MACE (OR:2.257 %CI: 1.325-3.759 p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis according to the long-term MACE free survival revealed a higher occurrence of MACE in non-O blood group compared with O blood group (p<0.001, Chi-square: 22.810). Non-O blood groups were determined to be significant prognostic indicators of short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events and mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI. In conjunction with other prognostic factors, evaluation of this parameter may improve the risk categorization and tailoring the individual therapy and follow-up in STEMI patient population. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Effect of Outflow Tract Contributions to 82Rb-PET Global Myocardial Blood Flow Computations.

    PubMed

    Van Tosh, Andrew; Reichek, Nathaniel; Palestro, Christopher J; Nichols, Kenneth J

    2016-06-01

    Algorithms are able to compute myocardial blood flow (MBF) from dynamic PET data for each of the 17 left ventricular segments, with global MBF obtained by averaging segmental values. This study was undertaken to compare MBFs with and without the basal-septal segments. Data were examined retrospectively for 196 patients who underwent rest and regadenoson-stress (82)Rb PET/CT scanning for evaluation of known or suspected coronary artery disease. MBF data were acquired in gated list mode and rebinned to isolate the first-pass dynamic portion. Coronary vascular resistance (CVR) was computed as mean arterial pressure divided by MBF. MBF inhomogeneity was computed as the ratio of SD to mean MBF. Relative perfusion scores were obtained using (82)Rb-specific normal limits applied to polar maps of myocardial perfusion generated from myocardial equilibrium portions of PET data. MBF and CVRs from 17 and 14 segments were compared. Mean MBFs were lower for 17- than 14-segment means for rest (0.78 ± 0.50 vs. 0.85 ± 0.54 mL/g/min, paired t test P < 0.0001) and stress (1.50 ± 0.88 vs. 1.67 ± 0.96 mL/g/min, P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman plots of MBF differences versus means exhibited nonzero intercept (-0.04 ± 0.01, P = 0.0004) and significant correlation (r = -0.64, P < 0.0001), with slopes significantly different from 0.0 (-7.2% ± 0.6% and -8.3% ± 0.7% for rest and stress MBF; P < 0.0001). Seventeen-segment CVRs were higher than 14-segment CVRs for rest (159 ± 86 vs. 147 ± 81 mm Hg/mL/g/min, paired t test P < 0.0001) and stress CVR (85 ± 52 vs. 76 ± 48 mm Hg/mL/g/min, P < 0.0001). MBF inhomogeneity correlated significantly (P < 0.0001) with summed perfusion scores, but values correlated significantly more strongly for 14- than 17-segment values for rest (r = 0.67 vs. r = 0.52, P = 0.02) and stress (r = 0.69 vs. r = 0.47, P = 0.001). When basal segments were included in MBF determinations, perfusion inhomogeneity was greater both for rest (39% ± 10% vs. 31% ± 10%, P < 0

  13. Effects of oxymatrine on sympathoexcitatory reflex induced by myocardial ischemic signaling mediated by P2X₃ receptors in rat SCG and DRG.

    PubMed

    Li, Guilin; Liu, Shuangmei; Yang, Yang; Xie, Jinyan; Liu, Jun; Kong, Fanjun; Tu, Guihua; Wu, Raoping; Li, Guodong; Liang, Shangdong

    2011-04-05

    Sympathoexcitatory reflex is characterized by an increase in blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity. P2X₃ receptors in SCG neurons are involved in increasing sympathoexcitatory reflex after myocardial ischemic (MI) injury. The present study is aimed to explore the effects of oxymatrine (Oxy) on the transmission of myocardial ischemic signaling mediated by P2X₃ receptors in rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) and cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the sympathoexcitatory reflex after myocardial ischemic injury. In this study, the expression levels of P2X₃ immunoreactivity, mRNA and protein were analyzed in SCG and DRG neurons by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and Western blotting. The results show that the myocardial ischemic injury induces the increase of the systolic blood pressure and heart rate and upregulates the expression of P2X₃ receptors in SCG and DRG neurons. Upregulated expression of P2X₃ receptors in SCG and DRG neurons subsequently leads to the aggravated sympathoexcitatory reflex. Oxymatrine reduces the systolic blood pressure and heart rate in myocardial ischemic rats. After myocardial ischemic rats are treated with oxymatrine, the expression levels of P2X₃ immunoreactivity, mRNA and protein are lower than those in myocardial ischemic rats. Oxymatrine may decrease the expression of P2X₃ receptor and depress the aggravated sympathoexcitatory reflex induced by the nociceptive transmission of myocardial ischemic injury via P2X₃ receptors of rat SCG and DRG neurons. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Intra-renal delivery of mesenchymal stem cells attenuates myocardial injury after reversal of hypertension in porcine renovascular disease.

    PubMed

    Eirin, Alfonso; Zhu, Xiang-Yang; Ferguson, Christopher M; Riester, Scott M; van Wijnen, Andre J; Lerman, Amir; Lerman, Lilach O

    2015-01-19

    Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) fails to fully improve cardiac injury and dysfunction in patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) restore renal function, but their potential for attenuating cardiac injury after reversal of RVH has not been explored. We hypothesized that replenishment of MSCs during PTRA would improve cardiac function and oxygenation, and decrease myocardial injury in porcine RVH. Pigs were studied after 16 weeks of RVH, RVH treated 4 weeks earlier with PTRA with or without adjunct intra-renal delivery of MSC (10^6 cells), and controls. Cardiac structure, function (fast-computed tomography (CT)), and myocardial oxygenation (Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent- magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed in-vivo. Myocardial microvascular density (micro-CT) and myocardial injury were evaluated ex-vivo. Kidney venous and systemic blood levels of inflammatory markers were measured and their renal release calculated. PTRA normalized blood pressure, yet stenotic-kidney glomerular filtration rate, similarly blunted in RVH and RVH + PTRA, normalized only in PTRA + MSC-treated pigs. PTRA attenuated left ventricular remodeling, whereas myocardial oxygenation, subendocardial microvascular density, and diastolic function remained decreased in RVH + PTRA, but normalized in RVH + PTRA-MSC. Circulating isoprostane levels and renal release of inflammatory cytokines increased in RVH and RVH + PTRA, but normalized in RVH + PTRA-MSC, as did myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen deposition, and fibrosis. Intra-renal MSC delivery during PTRA preserved stenotic-kidney function, reduced systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, and thereby improved cardiac function, oxygenation, and myocardial injury four weeks after revascularization, suggesting a therapeutic potential for adjunctive MSC delivery to preserve cardiac function and structure after reversal of experimental RVH.

  15. Puerarin blocks the signaling transmission mediated by P2X3 in SG and DRG to relieve myocardial ischemic damage.

    PubMed

    Liu, Shuangmei; Zhang, Chunping; Shi, Qingming; Li, Guilin; Song, Miaomiao; Gao, Yun; Xu, Changshui; Xu, Hong; Fan, Bo; Yu, Shicheng; Zheng, Chaoran; Zhu, Qicheng; Wu, Bing; Peng, Lichao; Xiong, Huangui; Wu, Qin; Liang, Shangdong

    2014-02-01

    P2X₃ receptors in stellate ganglia (SG) and cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons are involved in sympathoexcitatory reflex induced by myocardial ischemic damage. Puerarin, a major active ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese plant medicine Ge-gen, has been widely used in treatment of myocardial and cerebral ischemia. The present study is aimed to observe the effects of puerarin on the signaling transmission mediated by P2X₃ receptor in SG and DRG after myocardial ischemic damage. Our results showed that systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased, and the expression levels of P2X₃ mRNA and protein in SG and DRG were up-regulated after myocardial ischemic damage. Puerarin reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate, relieved pain and decreased up-regulated expression of P2X₃ mRNA and protein in SG and DRG after myocardial ischemia. Puerarin inhibited the up-regulated ATP-activated currents in DRG neurons after myocardial ischemia. Thus, puerarin can relieve myocardial ischemic damage through blocking the P2X₃ signaling transmission and then depressed the aggravated sympathoexcitatory reflex. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Weekend versus weekday admission and mortality from myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Kostis, William J; Demissie, Kitaw; Marcella, Stephen W; Shao, Yu-Hsuan; Wilson, Alan C; Moreyra, Abel E

    2007-03-15

    Management of acute myocardial infarction requires urgent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, which may not be uniformly available throughout the week. We examined differences in mortality between patients admitted on weekends and those admitted on weekdays for a first acute myocardial infarction, using the Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System. All such admissions in New Jersey from 1987 to 2002 (231,164) were included and grouped in 4-year intervals. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, coexisting conditions, or infarction site between patients admitted on weekends and those admitted on weekdays. However, patients admitted on weekends were less likely to undergo invasive cardiac procedures, especially on the first and second days of hospitalization (P<0.001). In the interval from 1999 to 2002 (59,786 admissions), mortality at 30 days was significantly higher for patients admitted on weekends (12.9% vs. 12.0%, P=0.006). The difference became significant the day after admission (3.3% vs. 2.7%, P<0.001) and persisted at 1 year (1% absolute difference in mortality). The difference in mortality at 30 days remained significant after adjustment for demographic characteristics, coexisting conditions, and site of infarction (hazard ratio, 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.022 to 1.076; P<0.001), but it became nonsignificant after additional adjustment for invasive cardiac procedures (hazard ratio, 1.023; 95% CI, 0.997 to 1.049; P=0.09). For patients with myocardial infarction, admission on weekends is associated with higher mortality and lower use of invasive cardiac procedures. Our findings suggest that the higher mortality on weekends is mediated in part by the lower rate of invasive procedures, and we speculate that better access to care on weekends could improve the outcome for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Copyright 2007 Massachusetts Medical Society.

  17. Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging: performance of 3D semi-automated evaluation software.

    PubMed

    Ebersberger, Ullrich; Marcus, Roy P; Schoepf, U Joseph; Lo, Gladys G; Wang, Yining; Blanke, Philipp; Geyer, Lucas L; Gray, J Cranston; McQuiston, Andrew D; Cho, Young Jun; Scheuering, Michael; Canstein, Christian; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Hoffmann, Ellen; Bamberg, Fabian

    2014-01-01

    To evaluate the performance of three-dimensional semi-automated evaluation software for the assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and blood volume (MBV) at dynamic myocardial perfusion computed tomography (CT). Volume-based software relying on marginal space learning and probabilistic boosting tree-based contour fitting was applied to CT myocardial perfusion imaging data of 37 subjects. In addition, all image data were analysed manually and both approaches were compared with SPECT findings. Study endpoints included time of analysis and conventional measures of diagnostic accuracy. Of 592 analysable segments, 42 showed perfusion defects on SPECT. Average analysis times for the manual and software-based approaches were 49.1 ± 11.2 and 16.5 ± 3.7 min respectively (P < 0.01). There was strong agreement between the two measures of interest (MBF, ICC = 0.91, and MBV, ICC = 0.88, both P < 0.01) and no significant difference in MBF/MBV with respect to diagnostic accuracy between the two approaches for both MBF and MBV for manual versus software-based approach; respectively; all comparisons P > 0.05. Three-dimensional semi-automated evaluation of dynamic myocardial perfusion CT data provides similar measures and diagnostic accuracy to manual evaluation, albeit with substantially reduced analysis times. This capability may aid the integration of this test into clinical workflows. • Myocardial perfusion CT is attractive for comprehensive coronary heart disease assessment. • Traditional image analysis methods are cumbersome and time-consuming. • Automated 3D perfusion software shortens analysis times. • Automated 3D perfusion software increases standardisation of myocardial perfusion CT. • Automated, standardised analysis fosters myocardial perfusion CT integration into clinical practice.

  18. Dose reduction assessment in dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging in a porcine balloon-induced-ischemia model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fahmi, Rachid; Eck, Brendan L.; Vembar, Mani; Bezerra, Hiram G.; Wilson, David L.

    2014-03-01

    We investigated the use of an advanced hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) technique (iDose4, Philips Health- care) for low dose dynamic myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) imaging. A porcine model was created to mimic coronary stenosis through partial occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery with a balloon catheter. The severity of LAD occlusion was adjusted with FFR measurements. Dynamic CT images were acquired at end-systole (45% R-R) using a multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner. Various corrections were applied to the acquired scans to reduce motion and imaging artifacts. Absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) was computed with a deconvolution-based approach using singular value decomposition (SVD). We compared a high and a low dose radiation protocol corresponding to two different tube-voltage/tube-current combinations (80kV p/100mAs and 120kV p/150mAs). The corresponding radiation doses for these protocols are 7.8mSv and 34.3mSV , respectively. The images were reconstructed using conventional FBP and three noise-reduction strengths of the IR method, iDose. Flow contrast-to-noise ratio, CNRf, as obtained from MBF maps, was used to quantitatively evaluate the effect of reconstruction on contrast between normal and ischemic myocardial tissue. Preliminary results showed that the use of iDose to reconstruct low dose images provide better or comparable CNRf to that of high dose images reconstructed with FBP, suggesting significant dose savings. CNRf was improved with the three used levels of iDose compared to FBP for both protocols. When using the entire 4D dynamic sequence for MBF computation, a 77% dose reduction was achieved, while considering only half the scans (i.e., every other heart cycle) allowed even further dose reduction while maintaining relatively higher CNRf.

  19. Overexpression of MMP-9 and its inhibitors in blood mononuclear cells after myocardial infarction--is it associated with depressive symptomatology?

    PubMed

    Jönsson, Simon; Lundberg, Anna K; Jonasson, Lena

    2014-01-01

    Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 may play a central role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Emerging evidence also indicates an association between MMP-9 and depressive symptomatology. Here, we investigated whether expression of MMP-9 and its inhibitors in blood mononuclear cells and plasma were related to depressive symptoms in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI). Blood sampling was performed between 6 and 18 months after MI in 57 patients. Forty-one clinically healthy subjects were included as controls. Gene expression of MMP-9 and its main tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and -2 were analyzed in freshly isolated or cultured blood mononuclear cells. Corresponding protein levels were assessed in cell supernatants and plasma. In post-MI patients, mRNA levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and -2 were significantly higher than in controls while protein levels in cell supernatants and plasma did not differ between groups. The Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Repeated assessments during the first 18 months after MI showed significantly higher CES-D scores in patients compared with controls. However, there were no relationships between depressive mood and any of the measurements of MMP-9 or TIMPs. Our findings indicate that overexpression of MMP-9 and TIMPs in blood mononuclear cells and elevated depressive symptoms represent two unrelated phenomena after MI.

  20. [EFFICACY OF STANDARD TWO-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE THERAPY TO ACHIEVE TARGET BLOOD PRESSURE AND REGRESSION DEGREES OF REMODELING OF THE LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN PATIENTS AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WITH COMORBID HYPERTENSION].

    PubMed

    Denesiuk, E V

    2015-01-01

    The study involved 23 men after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with comorbid arterial hypertension (AH). Mean age of patients was 56.7 years. Recurrent myocardial infarction was determined in 38.4%, cardiac failure I-III functional classes--100% of the cases. All patients underwent clinical examination, electrocardiography and echocardiography, blood lipid profile. Standard comprehensive treatment for two years included an perindopril 5-10 mg/day, beta-blocker bisoprolol--5-10 mg/day, antisclerotic drug atorvastatin--20 mg/day and aspirin--75 mg/day. The patients after treatment was determined by a gradual increase towards the target of AT at 3, 6 and 12 to 24 months. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) before treatment was determined in 47.8%, eccentric--in 52.2% of patients. In the study of degrees of LVH I (initial) the extent to treatment was determined by 4.3%, II (moderate)--26.1%, III (large)--at 69.6%, indicating the development of cardiac remodeling. After the treatment was determined by marked reduction III (large) degree and transfer it in the II (moderate) and I (small) degree of left ventricular hypertrophy due to more or less pronounced changes remodeling left ventricular. The obtained data allow a more detailed and adequately assess the structural and functional outcome variables and determine the regression of myocardial hypertrophy in the background to achieve target blood pressure, which is important in practical cardiology.

  1. Absolute and Relative Carnitine Deficiency in Patients on Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.

    PubMed

    Naseri, Mitra; Mottaghi Moghadam Shahri, Hasan; Horri, Mohsen; Esmaeeli, Mohammad; Ghaneh Sherbaf, Fatemeh; Jahanshahi, Shohre; Moeenolroayaa, Giti; Rasoli, Zahra; Salemian, Farzaneh; Pour Hasan, Maryam

    2016-01-01

    Carnitine deficiency is commonly seen in dialysis patients. This study assessed the association dialysis and pediatric patients' characteristics with plasma carnitines levels. Plasma carnitine concentrations were measured by tandem mass spectrometry in 46 children on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The total carnitine, free carnitine (FC), and L-acyl carnitine (AC) levels of 40 µmol/L and less, less than 7 µmol/L, and less than 15 µmol/L were defined low, respectively. An FC less than 20 µmol/L and an AC/FC ratio greater than 0.4 were considered as absolute and relative carnitine deficiencies. The correlation between carnitines levels and AC/FC ratio and age, duration of dialysis, characteristics of dialysis, and blood urea nitrogen and serum albumin concentrations were assessed. Absolute carnitine deficiency, low total carnitine, and low AC concentrations were found in 66.7%, 82.6%, and 51% of the patients, respectively. All of the patients had relative carnitine deficiency. Carnitine measurements were not significantly different between the hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups. More severe relative carnitine deficiency was found in those with lower blood urea nitrogen levels and those on peritoneal dialysis. No linear correlation was found between carnitine levels and age, duration of dialysis, characteristics of dialysis, serum albumin level, or blood urea nitrogen level. Absolute and relative carnitine deficiencies are common among children on dialysis. Patients with lower blood urea nitrogen levels and peritoneal dialysis patients are more prone to severe relative carnitine deficiency.

  2. Inner Blood-Retinal Barrier Dominantly Expresses Breast Cancer Resistance Protein: Comparative Quantitative Targeted Absolute Proteomics Study of CNS Barriers in Pig.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhengyu; Uchida, Yasuo; Hirano, Satoshi; Ando, Daisuke; Kubo, Yoshiyuki; Auriola, Seppo; Akanuma, Shin-Ichi; Hosoya, Ken-Ichi; Urtti, Arto; Terasaki, Tetsuya; Tachikawa, Masanori

    2017-11-06

    The purpose of this study was to determine absolute protein expression levels of transporters at the porcine inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and to compare the transporter protein expression quantitatively among the inner BRB, outer BRB, blood-brain barrier (BBB), and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Crude membrane fractions of isolated retinal capillaries (inner BRB) and isolated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE, outer BRB) were prepared from porcine eyeballs, while plasma membrane fractions were prepared from isolated porcine brain capillaries (BBB) and isolated choroid plexus (BCSFB). Protein expression levels of 32 molecules, including 16 ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporters and 13 solute-carrier (SLC) transporters, were measured using a quantitative targeted absolute proteomic technique. At the inner BRB, five molecules were detected: breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2; 22.8 fmol/μg protein), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1, ABCB1; 8.70 fmol/μg protein), monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1, SLC16A1; 4.83 fmol/μg protein), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1, SLC2A1; 168 fmol/μg protein), and sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na + /K + -ATPase; 53.7 fmol/μg protein). Other proteins were under the limits of quantification. Expression of MCT1 was at least 17.6-, 11.0-, and 19.2-fold greater than those of MCT2, 3, and 4, respectively. The transporter protein expression at the inner BRB was most highly correlated with that at the BBB (R 2 = 0.8906), followed by outer BRB (R 2 = 0.7988) and BCSFB (R 2 = 0.4730). Sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT, SLC5A6) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1) were expressed at the outer BRB (0.378 and 1.03 fmol/μg protein, respectively) but were under the limit of quantification at the inner BRB. These findings may be helpful for understanding differential barrier function.

  3. Prognostic significance of myocardial energy expenditure and myocardial efficiency in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

    PubMed

    Cetin, Mehmet S; Ozcan Cetin, Elif H; Canpolat, Ugur; Sasmaz, Hatice; Temizhan, Ahmet; Aydogdu, Sinan

    2018-02-01

    In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial energy expenditure (MEE), myocardial efficiency has been poorly evaluated because of the necessity of invasive procedures in the determination of these parameters. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can provide reliable data for MEE, MBF (via coronary sinus (CS) flows). Also, myocardial efficiency can be evaluated by the MEE to MBF ratio. We aim to assess MBF, MEE and energy efficiency and the prognostic value of these parameters in HFrEF. In this prospective study, a total of 80 patients with HFrEF due to either ischemic or non-ischemic etiology and 20 healthy control subjects were included. Median follow-up duration was 901 (27-1004) days. MBF was calculated via coronary sinus blood flow. MEE was measured from circumferential end-systolic stress, stroke volume and left ventricular ejection time. MEE to MBF ratio was determined as MEf. Primary composite end-point (CEP) was cardiovascular mortality, heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support. MEE and MEf were lower and MBF per minute was higher in HF group compared to control subjects whereas MBF per 100 g left ventricular mass was not different. MEE and MEf have significantly negative correlation with troponin I, BNP, uric acid and positive correlation with epicardial fat thickness. In Cox regression analysis, per one calorie decrease of MEE was associated 4.3 times increased risk [HR 4.396 (95% CI 1.230-15.716)] and per one percent decrease of MEf was associated 3.3 times increased risk of CEP [HR 3.343 (95% CI 1.025-10.905)]. Our study demonstrated that while MEE and MEf diminished in HFrEF, MBF preserved with the symptomatic progression of HF. MEE and MEf were found to be associated with important prognostic markers and independent predictors of CEP in HFrEF. Evaluation of MEE, MBF and MEf with echocardiography may provide an additional data regarding prognostic assessment of HFr

  4. [Effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning on blood endothelin and creatine kinase contents and myocardial HSP 70 expression in rabbits with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury].

    PubMed

    Wang, Chao; Xie, Wen-juan; Liu, Mi; Yan, Jie; Zhang, Jia-li; Liu, Zhao; Guo, Li-na

    2014-10-01

    To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (Moxi) preconditioning of bi- lateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) on plasma endothelin (ET) and serum creatine kinase (CK) contents and myocardial hot shock protein 70 (HSP 70) expression in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) rabbits, so as to revel their mechanisms underlying prevention of myocardial ischemia. A total of 72 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation, MIRI model, EA preconditioning and Moxi preconditioning groups (n = 18/group). Each group was further divided into 0 h, 24 h and 48 h (time-point) subgroups (n=6 in each subgroup). The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 40 min and reperfusion for 60 min. The contents of plasma ET and serum CK were detected by ELISA, and myocardial HSP 70 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. EA and Moxi preconditioning were respectively applied to bilateral PC 6 for 20 min, once daily for 5 days. Following MIRI, contents of plasma ET and serum CK contents were significantly increased at 0 h, 24 h and 48 h in comparison with the sham group (P<0.01, P<0.05), while myo- cardial HSP 70 expression at the 3 time-points was moderately increased (P>0.05). Compared with the model groups, plasma ET contents at both 24 h and 48 h in the EA preconditioning group and at 48 h in the Moxi preconditioning group, CK contents at both 24 h and 48 h only in the EA preconditioning group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05). Myocardial HSP 70 expression levels in the EA and Moxi preconditioning groups were considerably up-regulated at the three time-points in comparison with the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Acupuncture and moxibustion pretreatment may suppress MIRI-induced increase of plasma ET and serum CK and up-regulate myocardial HSP 70 protein expression in MIRI rabbits, suggesting a preventive protection action on ischemic myocardium.

  5. Social Support Versus Social Evaluation: Unique Effects on Vascular and Myocardial Response Patterns

    PubMed Central

    Christian, Lisa M.; Stoney, Catherine M.

    2010-01-01

    Objectives This study examined the effects of companion presence and evaluation on cardiovascular reactivity to an acute stressor. Methods Eighty-two women completed a speech task in one of four conditions: with an evaluative companion present, with a nonevaluative companion present, alone while being evaluated by a companion with a video camera, or alone while the companion waited outside. Results A significant interaction between companion condition and evaluative condition on systolic blood pressure was found; women who were evaluated while alone demonstrated significantly greater reactivity than did women who were in the nonevaluative alone condition. Furthermore, both potential for evaluation and the presence of a companion had important influences on hemodynamic parameters underlying the blood pressure response. Specifically, those in evaluative conditions showed greater myocardial responding than those in nonevaluative conditions and those in alone conditions showed greater vascular responding than did those with companions present. Taken together, those in the evaluative alone condition demonstrated systolic blood pressure responses reflecting both myocardial and vascular contributions. Conclusions Social support and social evaluation have unique effects on vascular and myocardial responding. The implications for future research include focus on the stress-buffering model of social support and the value of including impedance cardiography measures in investigations of cardiovascular functioning. PMID:17079702

  6. Role of CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid cells in AGEs-induced myocardial injury in a mice model of acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Yao, Tongqing; Lu, Wenbin; Zhu, Jian; Jin, Xian; Ma, Genshan; Wang, Yuepeng; Meng, Shu; Zhang, Yachen; Li, Yigang; Shen, Chengxing

    2015-01-01

    Polymorph neutrophils are the predominant inflammatory cells and play a crucial role on the pathogenesis of myocardial injury at the early stage of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the precursors and the differentiation of neutrophils are not fully understood. Here we explored the role of CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) on myocardial injury in the absence and presence of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in a mice model of AMI. Male C57BL/6J mice were selected. Fluorescent actived cell sortor (FACS) data demonstrated significantly increased CD11b+Gr-1+ MDSCs both in peripheral blood circulation and in the ischemic myocardium at 24 hours post AMI. Quantitative-real-time PCR results also revealed significantly upregulated CD11b and Ly6G mRNA expression in the ischemic myocardium. AGEs treatment further aggravated these changes in AMI mice but not in sham mice. Moreover, AGEs treatment also significantly increased infarction size and enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and iNOS2 was also significantly increased in AMI + AGEs group compared to AMI group. These data suggest enhanced infiltration of MDSCs by AGEs contributes to aggravated myocardial injury in AMI mice, which might be one of the mechanisms responsible for severer myocardial injury in AMI patients complicating diabetes.

  7. Correlation of platelet count and acute ST-elevation in myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Paul, G K; Sen, B; Bari, M A; Rahman, Z; Jamal, F; Bari, M S; Sazidur, S R

    2010-07-01

    The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been substantiated by studies that demonstrated significant clinical benefits associated with antiplatelet therapy. Initial platelet counts in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) may be a useful adjunct for identifying those patients who may or may not respond to fibrinolytic agents. Patient with acute STEMI has variable level of platelet count and with higher platelet count have poor in hospital outcome. There are many predictors of poor outcome in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) like cardiac biomarkers (Troponin I, Troponin T and CK-MB), C-Reactive Protien (CRP) and WBC (White Blood Cell) counts. Platelet count on presentation of STEMI is one of them. Higher platelet count is associated with higher rate of adverse clinical outcome in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), like heart failure, arrhythmia, re-infarction & death. So, categorization of patient with STEMI on the basis of platelet counts may be helpful for risk stratification and management of these patients.

  8. Development of an Ex Vivo, Beating Heart Model for CT Myocardial Perfusion

    PubMed Central

    Das, Marco; Haberland, Ulrike; Slump, Cees; Handayani, Astri; van Tuijl, Sjoerd; Stijnen, Marco; Oudkerk, Matthijs; Wildberger, Joachim E.; Vliegenthart, Rozemarijn

    2015-01-01

    Objective. To test the feasibility of a CT-compatible, ex vivo, perfused porcine heart model for myocardial perfusion CT imaging. Methods. One porcine heart was perfused according to Langendorff. Dynamic perfusion scanning was performed with a second-generation dual source CT scanner. Circulatory parameters like blood flow, aortic pressure, and heart rate were monitored throughout the experiment. Stenosis was induced in the circumflex artery, controlled by a fractional flow reserve (FFR) pressure wire. CT-derived myocardial perfusion parameters were analysed at FFR of 1 to 0.10/0.0. Results. CT images did not show major artefacts due to interference of the model setup. The pacemaker-induced heart rhythm was generally stable at 70 beats per minute. During most of the experiment, blood flow was 0.9–1.0 L/min, and arterial pressure varied between 80 and 95 mm/Hg. Blood flow decreased and arterial pressure increased by approximately 10% after inducing a stenosis with FFR ≤ 0.50. Dynamic perfusion scanning was possible across the range of stenosis grades. Perfusion parameters of circumflex-perfused myocardial segments were affected at increasing stenosis grades. Conclusion. An adapted Langendorff porcine heart model is feasible in a CT environment. This model provides control over physiological parameters and may allow in-depth validation of quantitative CT perfusion techniques. PMID:26185756

  9. Quantification of Regional Myocardial Oxygenation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Validation with Positron Emission Tomography

    PubMed Central

    McCommis, Kyle S.; Goldstein, Thomas A.; Abendschein, Dana R.; Herrero, Pilar; Misselwitz, Bernd; Gropler, Robert J.; Zheng, Jie

    2011-01-01

    Background A comprehensive evaluation of myocardial ischemia requires measures of both oxygen supply and demand. Positron emission tomography (PET) is currently the gold standard for such evaluations, but its use is limited due to its ionizing radiation, limited availability, and high cost. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method was developed for assessing myocardial oxygenation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and validate this technique compared to PET during pharmacologic stress in a canine model of coronary artery stenosis. Methods and Results Twenty-one beagles and small mongrel dogs without coronary artery stenosis (controls), or with moderate to severe acute coronary artery stenosis underwent MRI and PET imaging at rest and during dipyridamole vasodilation or dobutamine stress to induce a wide range of changes in cardiac perfusion and oxygenation. MRI first-pass perfusion imaging was performed to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) and volume (MBV). The MRI blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) technique was used to determine the myocardial oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) during pharmacologic hyperemia. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was determined by Fick’s law. In the same dogs, 15O-water and 11C-acetate were used to measure MBF and MVO2, respectively, by PET. Regional assessments were performed for both MR and PET. MRI data correlated nicely with PET values for MBF (R2 = 0.79, P < 0.001), MVO2 (R2 = 0.74, P < 0.001), and OEF (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.01). Conclusions Cardiac MRI methods may provide an alternative to radionuclide imaging in settings of myocardial ischemia. Our newly developed quantitative MRI oxygenation imaging technique may be a valuable non-invasive tool to directly evaluate myocardial energetics and efficiency. PMID:19933371

  10. Radionuclide imaging of myocardial infarction using Tc-99m TBI

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holman, B.L.; Campbell, S.; Kirshenbaum, J.M.

    The cationic complex Tc-99m t-butylisonitrile (TBI) concentrates in the myocardial tissue of several animal species. Its myocardial distribution is proportional to blood flow both in zones of ischemia and in normal myocardium at rest. Planar, tomographic, and gated myocardial images have been obtained using Tc-99m TBI in the human. The authors investigated the potential application of Tc-99m TBI imaging to detect and localize myocardial infarction. Four subjects without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease and five patients with ECG evidence of previous myocardial infarction were studied. Tc-99m TBI (10mCi) was injected intravenously with the patient in a resting state with planarmore » imaging in the anterior, 30 and 70 degree LAO projections beginning one hr after injection. The distribution of the tracer was homogeneous throughout the left ventricular wall in the normal subjects. Regional perfusion defects were present in 4/5 of the patients with myocardial infarction. Location of the defects corresponded to the location of the infarct using ECG criteria (2 inferoposterior and 2 anterior). The patient in whom the Tc-99m TBI image appeared normal had sustained a subendocardial myocardial infarct which could not be localized by ECG; the other 4 pts had transmural infarcts. Anterior and 30 degree LAO images were of excellent quality in all cases; there was overlap of the liver on the inferior wall of the left ventricle on the 70 degree LAO views. The authors conclude that accurate perfusion imaging may be possible using Tc-99m TBI in patients with transmural myocardial infarction.« less

  11. Recurrent ventricular arrhythmias complicating myocardial infarction in the presence of phaeochromocytoma.

    PubMed Central

    McNeill, A J; Adgey, A A; Wilson, C

    1992-01-01

    After an acute myocardial infarction a 49 year old man developed late recurrent severe ventricular arrhythmias coincident with transient hypertensive episodes. A phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of the urinary concentration of catecholamines and computerised tomography of the adrenal glands. After stabilisation of his cardiac rhythm and blood pressure with alpha and beta adrenergic blockade and anti-arrhythmic treatment the right adrenal gland, which contained the tumour, was successfully resected. The diagnosis of a phaeochromocytoma should be considered when recurrent ventricular arrhythmias are associated with intermittent hypertension after myocardial infarction. PMID:1739535

  12. Myocardial Infarction. Pathological Relevance and Relationship with Coronary Risk Factors.

    PubMed

    Leone, Aurelio

    2017-01-01

    Three types of necrosis characterize MI: coagulation necrosis, typically due to a coronarogenic mechanism, coagulative myocytolysis with formation of contract bands as an effect of sympathetic nervous system and adrenergic stimulation, and colliquative myocytolysis, characterized by myocardial fiber lysis, which is a close result of hydrolytic enzyme activity deriving from the material reaching the infarct area. Although a multifactorial etiology may be identified, nevertheless coronary alterations, which are a consequence of atherosclerotic plaque formation and complications with a reduced blood flow supply to the myocardium, are the benchmark of MI. Evidence indicates a close relationship between the MI and some coronary risk factors, associated with this pathologic pattern with a different, but high rate. Precipitating events to cause acute myocardial pathology need, however, to develop an acute myocardial infarction. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  13. Cytogenetic, cytotoxic and GC-MS studies on concrete and absolute oils from Taif rose, Saudi Arabia.

    PubMed

    Hagag, Heba A; Bazaid, Salih A; Abdel-Hameed, El-Sayed S; Salman, Mahmood

    2014-12-01

    Taif rose (Rosa damascena trigintipetala Dieck) is a sort of damask rose, which is considered as one of the most important economic products of Taif. In this study, the authors investigated the possible cytotoxic, genotoxic, antimutagenic and anticancer effect of concrete and absolute rose oils. The results showed that both concrete and absolute rose oils were cytotoxically and genotoxically safe at a dose of 10 μg/ml when tested on cultures of normal human blood lymphocytes. Also, the results showed significant antimutagenic activity at p < 0.001 for absolute rose oil at the same dose level when tested on cultures of normal human blood lymphocytes supplemented with 300 ng/ml mitomycin C (MMC). On the other hand, concrete and absolute oils exerted a cytotoxic activity against two kinds of human cancer cell lines: HepG2 and MCF7. Concrete oil showed cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and MCF7 with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 16.28 and 18.09 μg/ml, respectively, whereas absolute rose oil showed its cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and MCF7 with an IC50 of 24.94 and 19.69, respectively. From this study, it is concluded that concrete and absolute rose oils are cytotoxically and genotoxically safe at a dose of 10 μg/ml when tested on cultures of normal human blood lymphocytes. In addition, absolute oil has an antimutagenic activity at the same dose. Further investigations are needed to study the activity of higher doses of both oils in vitro and in vivo in experimental animals in order to evaluate the capability of using these oils as therapeutic for treatment of some kinds of cancers.

  14. Myocardial Perfusion and Function Are Distinctly Altered by Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Diet-Induced Prediabetic Rats.

    PubMed

    van den Brom, Charissa E; Boly, Chantal A; Bulte, Carolien S E; van den Akker, Rob F P; Kwekkeboom, Rick F J; Loer, Stephan A; Boer, Christa; Bouwman, R Arthur

    2016-01-01

    Preservation of myocardial perfusion during surgery is particularly important in patients with increased risk for perioperative complications, such as diabetes. Volatile anesthetics, like sevoflurane, have cardiodepressive effects and may aggravate cardiovascular complications. We investigated the effect of sevoflurane on myocardial perfusion and function in prediabetic rats. Rats were fed a western diet (WD; n = 18) or control diet (CD; n = 18) for 8 weeks and underwent (contrast) echocardiography to determine perfusion and function during baseline and sevoflurane exposure. Myocardial perfusion was estimated based on the product of microvascular filling velocity and blood volume. WD-feeding resulted in a prediabetic phenotype characterized by obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hyperglycemia. At baseline, WD-feeding impaired myocardial perfusion and systolic function compared to CD-feeding. Exposure of healthy rats to sevoflurane increased the microvascular filling velocity without altering myocardial perfusion but impaired systolic function. In prediabetic rats, sevoflurane did also not affect myocardial perfusion; however, it further impaired systolic function. Diet-induced prediabetes is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion and function in rats. While sevoflurane further impaired systolic function, it did not affect myocardial perfusion in prediabetic rats. Our findings suggest that sevoflurane anesthesia leads to uncoupling of myocardial perfusion and function, irrespective of the metabolic state.

  15. Quantification of myocardial blood flow with 11C-hydroxyephedrine dynamic PET: comparison with 15O-H2O PET.

    PubMed

    Hiroshima, Yuji; Manabe, Osamu; Naya, Masanao; Tomiyama, Yuuki; Magota, Keiichi; Obara, Masahiko; Aikawa, Tadao; Oyama-Manabe, Noriko; Yoshinaga, Keiichiro; Hirata, Kenji; Kroenke, Markus; Tamaki, Nagara; Katoh, Chietsugu

    2017-12-21

    11 C-hydroxyephedrine (HED) PET has been used to evaluate the myocardial sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Here we sought to establish a simultaneous approach for quantifying both myocardial blood flow (MBF) and the SNS from a single HED PET scan. Ten controls and 13 patients with suspected cardiac disease were enrolled. The inflow rate of 11 C-HED (K1) was obtained using a one-tissue-compartment model. We compared this rate with the MBF derived from 15 O-H 2 O PET. In the controls, the relationship between K 1 from 11 C-HED PET and the MBF from 15 O-H 2 O PET was linked by the Renkin-Crone model. The relationship between K 1 from 11 C-HED PET and the MBF from 15 O-H 2 O PET from the controls' data was approximated as follows: K 1   =  (1 - 0.891 * exp(- 0.146/MBF)) * MBF. In the validation set, the correlation coefficient demonstrated a significantly high relationship for both the whole left ventricle (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) and three coronary territories (left anterior descending artery: r = 0.96, left circumflex artery: r = 0.81, right coronary artery: r =  0.86; P < 0.001, respectively). 11 C-HED can simultaneously estimate MBF and sympathetic nervous function without requiring an additional MBF scan for assessing mismatch areas between MBF and SNS.

  16. Navigator-gated 3D blood oxygen level-dependent CMR at 3.0-T for detection of stress-induced myocardial ischemic reactions.

    PubMed

    Jahnke, Cosima; Gebker, Rolf; Manka, Robert; Schnackenburg, Bernhard; Fleck, Eckart; Paetsch, Ingo

    2010-04-01

    This study determined the value of navigator-gated 3-dimensional blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at 3.0-T for the detection of stress-induced myocardial ischemic reactions. Although BOLD CMR has been introduced for characterization of myocardial oxygenation status, previously reported CMR approaches suffered from a low signal-to-noise ratio and motion-related artifacts with impaired image quality and a limited diagnostic value in initial patient studies. Fifty patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent CMR at 3.0-T followed by invasive X-ray angiography within 48 h. Three-dimensional BOLD images were acquired during free breathing with full coverage of the left ventricle in a short-axis orientation. The BOLD imaging was performed at rest and under adenosine stress, followed by stress and rest first-pass perfusion and delayed enhancement imaging. Quantitative coronary X-ray angiography (QCA) was used for coronary stenosis definition (diameter reduction > or =50%). The BOLD and first-pass perfusion images were semiquantitatively evaluated (for BOLD imaging, signal intensity differences between stress and rest [DeltaSI]; for perfusion imaging, myocardial perfusion reserve index [MPRI]). The image quality of BOLD CMR at rest and during adenosine stress was considered good to excellent in 90% and 84% of the patients, respectively. The DeltaSI measurements differed significantly between normal myocardium, myocardium supplied by a stenotic coronary artery, and infarcted myocardium (p < 0.001). The receiver-operator characteristic analysis identified a cutoff value of DeltaSI = 2.7% for the detection of coronary stenosis, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 85.0% and 80.5%, respectively. An MPRI cutoff value of 1.35 yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 89.5% and 85.8%, respectively. The DeltaSI significantly correlated with the degree of coronary stenosis (r = -0.65, p < 0.001). Additionally, Delta

  17. Umbilical cord vitamin D, ionized calcium and myocardial oxygen demand.

    PubMed

    Reeves, Inez; Liang, Willie; Asadi, M Sadegh; Millis, Richard M

    2014-07-01

    Systemic blood vitamin D and total calcium are correlates of birthweight and cardiovascular disease but whether umbilical cord blood vitamin D and ionized calcium are correlates of birthweight and cardiovascular function is not known. This cross-sectional study correlates umbilical cord vitamin D, ionized calcium and birthweight with the heart rate-systolic pressure product (RPP), an indicator of myocardial oxygen demand. Cord blood vitamin D and ionized calcium concentrations were compared for vitamin D normal (≥50 nM, 20 ng/mL) and vitamin D deficiency (<50 nM, 20 ng/mL) in normal weight (≥2500 g) and low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) newborns. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured during postnatal transition and RPP was computed. RPP was positively correlated with birthweight (r = +0.52, p < 0.001) and with cord ionized calcium level (r = +0.42, p < 0.01) in the normal and LBW newborns. RPP was positively correlated with cord vitamin D level in the LBW newborns (raw r = +0.50, p < 0.05, normalized for birthweight r = +0.73, p < 0.01). Small RPP, an indicator of low myocardial oxygen demand, in LBW newborns appears to correlate with low umbilical cord vitamin D and ionized calcium levels, suggestive of pathological heart development.

  18. Myocardial Oxidative Stress in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

    PubMed

    Sznycer-Taub, Nathaniel; Mackie, Stewart; Peng, Yun-Wen; Donohue, Janet; Yu, Sunkyung; Aiyagari, Ranjit; Charpie, John

    2016-04-01

    Cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease often necessitates a period of myocardial ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest, followed by reperfusion after aortic cross-clamp removal. In experimental models, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is associated with significant oxidative stress and ventricular dysfunction. A prospective observational study was conducted in infants (<1 year) who underwent elective surgical repair of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Blood samples were drawn following anesthetic induction (baseline) and directly from the coronary sinus at 1, 3, 5, and 10 min following aortic cross-clamp removal. Samples were analyzed for oxidant stress using assays for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, protein carbonyl, 8-isoprostane, and total antioxidant capacity. For each subject, raw assay data were normalized to individual baseline samples and expressed as fold-change from baseline. Results were compared using a one-sample t test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Sixteen patients (ten with TOF and six with VSD) were enrolled in the study, and there were no major postoperative complications observed. For the entire cohort, there was an immediate, rapid increase in myocardial oxidative stress that was sustained for 10 min following aortic cross-clamp removal in all biomarker assays (all P < 0.01), except total antioxidant capacity. Infant cardiac surgery is associated with a rapid, robust, and time-dependent increase in myocardial oxidant stress as measured from the coronary sinus in vivo. Future studies with larger enrollment are necessary to assess any association between myocardial oxidative stress and early postoperative outcomes.

  19. Crisis management during anaesthesia: myocardial ischaemia and infarction.

    PubMed

    Ludbrook, G L; Webb, R K; Currie, M; Watterson, L M

    2005-06-01

    Myocardial ischaemia and infarction are significant perioperative complications which are associated with poor patient outcome. Anaesthetic practice should therefore focus, particularly in the at risk patient, on their prevention, their accurate detection, on the identification of precipitating factors, and on rapid effective management. To examine the role of a previously described core algorithm "COVER ABCD-A SWIFT CHECK" supplemented by a specific sub-algorithm for myocardial ischaemia and infarction in the management of myocardial ischaemia and/or infarction occurring in association with anaesthesia. The potential performance of this structured approach for each of the relevant incidents among the first 4000 reported to the Australian Incident Monitoring Study (AIMS) was compared with the actual management as reported by the anaesthetists involved. Of the 125 incidents retrieved from the 4000 reports, 40 (1%) were considered to demonstrate myocardial infarction or ischaemia. The use of the structured approach described in this paper would have led to appropriate management in 90% of cases, with the remaining 10% requiring other sub-algorithms. It was considered that the application of this structured approach would have led to earlier recognition and/or better management of the problem in 45% of cases. Close and continuous monitoring of patients at risk of myocardial ischaemia during anaesthesia is necessary, using optimal ECG lead configurations, but sensitivity of this monitoring is not 100%. Coronary vasodilatation with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) should not be withheld when indicated and the early use of beta blocking drugs should be considered even with normal blood pressures and heart rates.

  20. Clinical evaluation of the first medical whole blood, point-of-care testing device for detection of myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Apple, F S; Anderson, F P; Collinson, P; Jesse, R L; Kontos, M C; Levitt, M A; Miller, E A; Murakami, M M

    2000-10-01

    Validation of whole blood, point-of-care testing devices for monitoring cardiac markers to aid clinicians in ruling in and ruling out myocardial infarction (MI) is necessary for both laboratory and clinical acceptance. This study evaluated the clinical diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the First Medical Cardiac Test device operated by nursing and laboratory personnel that simultaneously measures cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK) MB, myoglobin, and total CK on the Alpha Dx analyzer in whole blood for detection of MI. Over a 6-month period, 369 patients initially presenting to the emergency department with chest pain were evaluated for MI using modified WHO criteria. Eighty-nine patients (24%) were diagnosed with MI. In whole blood samples collected at admission and at 3- to 6-h intervals over 24 h, ROC curve-determined MI decision limits were as follows: cTnI, 0.4 microgram/L; CKMB, 7.0 microgram/L; myoglobin, 180 microgram/L; total CK, 190 microgram/L. Based on peak concentrations within 24 h after presentation, the following sensitivities (+/- 95% confidence intervals) were found: cTnI, 93% +/- 5.5%; myoglobin, 81% +/- 9.7%; CKMB, 90% +/- 6.3%; total CK, 86% +/- 7.5%. Sensitivities were maximal at >90% for both cTnI and CKMB at >12 h in MI patients, without differences between ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation MI patients. The First Medical point-of-care device provides cardiac marker assays that can be used by laboratories and clinicians in a variety of hospital settings for ruling in and ruling out MI.

  1. Effects of glycyl-glutamine dipeptide supplementation on myocardial damage and cardiac function in rats after severe burn injury

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Yong; Yan, Hong; Lv, Shang-Gun; Wang, Lin; Liang, Guang-Ping; Wan, Qian-Xue; Peng, Xi

    2013-01-01

    Glutamine decreases myocardial damage in ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the cardioprotective effect of glutamine after burn injury remains unclear. Present study was to explore the protective effect of glycyl-glutamine dipeptide on myocardial damage in severe burn rats. Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (C), burned control (B) and glycyl-glutamine dipeptide-treated (GG) groups. B and GG groups were inflicted with 30% total body surface area of full thickness burn. The GG group was given 1.5 g/kg glycyl-glutamine dipeptide per day and the B group was given the same dose of alanine via intraperitoneal injection for 3 days. The serum CK, LDH, AST, and, blood lactic acid levels, as well as the myocardium ATP and GSH contents, were measured. The indices of cardiac contractile function and histopathological change were analyzed at 12, 24, 48, and 72 post-burn hours (PBH). The serum CK, LDH, AST and blood lactic acid levels increased, and the myocardium ATP and GSH content decreased in both burned groups. Compared with B group, the CK, LDH, AST and blood lactic acid levels reduced, myocardium ATP and GSH content increased in GG group. Moreover, the inhibition of cardiac contractile function and myocardial histopathological damage were reduced significantly in GG group. We conclude that myocardial histological structure and function were damaged significantly after burn injury, glycyl-glutamine dipeptide supplementation is beneficial to myocardial preservation by improving cardiocyte energy metabolism, increasing ATP and glutathione synthesis. PMID:23638213

  2. Energy Drinks and Myocardial Ischemia: A Review of Case Reports.

    PubMed

    Lippi, Giuseppe; Cervellin, Gianfranco; Sanchis-Gomar, Fabian

    2016-07-01

    The use and abuse of energy drinks (EDs) is constantly increasing worldwide. We performed a systematic search in Medline, Scopus and Web of Science to identify evidence about the potential link between these beverages and myocardial ischemia. Overall, 8 case reports could be detected, all of which described a realistic association between large intake of EDs and episodes of myocardial ischemia. Interestingly, no additional triggers of myocardial ischemia other than energy drinks could be identified in the vast majority of cases. Some plausible explanations can be brought in support of this association. Most of the biological effects of EDs are seemingly mediated by a positive inotropic effect on cardiac function, which entails increase in heart rate, cardiac output and contractility, stroke volume and arterial blood pressure. Additional biological abnormalities reported after EDs intake include increased platelet aggregation, endothelial dysfunction, hyperglycemia as well as an increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Although a causal relationship between large consumption of EDs and myocardial ischemia cannot be definitely established so far, concerns about the cardiovascular risk of excessive consumption of these beverages are seemingly justified.

  3. IL-6 signalling in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Ritschel, Vibeke N.; Seljeflot, Ingebjørg; Arnesen, Harald; Halvorsen, Sigrun; Weiss, Thomas; Eritsland, Jan; Andersen, Geir Ø

    2013-01-01

    Cytokines of the IL-6 family have been related to infarct size and prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction. The aims of the present study were to elucidate possible associations between myocardial necrosis and left ventricular impairment and members of the IL-6 transsignalling system including soluble (s) IL-6R and (s) glycoprotein 130 (sgp130) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI. In blood samples from 1028 STEMI patients, collected in-hosptial, we found significant correlations between peak TnT and IL-6 and CRP (p < 0.001, all) and between IL-6 and CRP and LV ejection fraction and NT-proBNP (p < 0.001, all). On the contrary, no significant associations were found between peak TnT and sgp130 or sIL-6R. Furthermore sgp130 was significantly elevated in diabetic patients and also associated with the glucometabolic state. In conclusion, circulating levels of IL-6 and CRP, but not the soluble forms of the receptor (sIL-6R) or the receptor signalling subunit (sgp130) were associated with the extent of myocardial necrosis. The biological importance of the IL-6/gp130-mediated signalling pathways in patients with acute myocardial infarction and dysglycemia should be further elucidated. PMID:24707455

  4. Effect of trapidil in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbit.

    PubMed

    Liu, Mingjie; Sun, Qi; Wang, Qiang; Wang, Xiuying; Lin, Peng; Yang, Ming; Yan, Yuanyuan

    2014-01-01

    To evaluate the cardioprotective effects of trapidil on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rabbits. Rabbits were subjected to 40 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Blood for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. At the end of reperfusion, the rabbits were sacrificed and the hearts were isolated for histological examination. An apoptotic index (AI) was determined using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL) method. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Trapidil caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in SOD activity, as decreased MDA levels and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the expression of Bax as compared with the ischemia-reperfusion (IR) control group. Trapidil may attenuate the myocardial damage produced by IR injury and offer potential cardioprotective action.

  5. "Spice" (Synthetic Marijuana) Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Series.

    PubMed

    Ul Haq, E; Shafiq, A; Khan, A A; Awan, A A; Ezad, S; Minteer, W J; Omar, B

    2017-01-01

    Marijuana is the most widely abused "recreational" substance in the United States, with highest prevalence in young adults. It is reported to cause ischemic strokes, hepatitis, anxiety, and psychosis. Although it is associated with dose dependent tachycardia and can lead to coronary vasospasm, it has not been directly related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Marijuana induced coronary vasospasm can result in endothelial denudation at the site of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in response to hemodynamic stressors, potentially causing an AMI. Spice refers to herbal mixture with composition and effects similar to that of marijuana and therefore is referred to as "synthetic marijuana." Herein, we report 3 cases of spice induced ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. All patients were relatively young and had few or absolutely no risk factors for cardiovascular disease. All patients underwent emergent coronary angiography, with two needing stent placement and the third requiring only aspiration thrombectomy. Our case series emphasizes the importance of suspecting and investigating synthetic marijuana use in low risk young adults presenting with AMI.

  6. [Effects of Chinese herbal compound for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation on actin, Cx43 expressions and gap junctional intercellular communication functions of myocardial cells in patients with Coxsackie virus B 3 viral myocarditis].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ming-xue; He, Wei; Gu, Ping

    2010-08-01

    To observe the effect of Chinese herbal compound for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation (CHC) on the gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) function of myocardial cells in patients with Coxsackie virus B 3 (CVB3) viral myocarditis. Expressions of actin and connexin43 (Cx43) in myocardial cells of patients arranged in three groups (the normal control group, the viral infected group and the CHC treated group) were detected by immunohistochemical method; the fluorescence photobleaching recovery rate of cells was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. As compared with the viral infected group, the expressions of actin and Cx43 were increased and the GJIC function was improved in the CHC treated group. CHC could antagonize viral injury on skeleton protein, and repair the structure of gap junction channel to improve the GJIC function of myocardial cells after being attacked by CVB3.

  7. Cobalt Chloride Upregulates Impaired HIF-1α Expression to Restore Sevoflurane Post-conditioning-Dependent Myocardial Protection in Diabetic Rats.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jianjiang; Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Maimaitili, Yiliyaer; Wang, Jiang; Ma, Haiping; Yang, Yining; Zheng, Hong

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies from our group have demonstrated that sevoflurane post-conditioning (SPC) protects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury via elevating the intranuclear expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). However, diabetic SPC is associated with decreased myocardial protection and disruption of the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 ) can upregulate HIF-1α expression under diabetic conditions, but whether myocardial protection by SPC can be restored afterward remains unclear. We established a rat model of type 2 diabetes and a Langendorff isolated heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Prior to reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane was used as a post-conditioning treatment. The diabetic rats were treated with CoCl 2 24 h before the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, tests were performed to assess myocardial function, infarct size, mitochondrial morphology, nitric oxide (NO), Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein levels. In addition, myocardial protection by SPC was monitored after the blood glucose levels were lowered by insulin. The diabetic state was associated with deficient SPC protection and decreased HIF-1α expression. After treating the diabetic rats with CoCl 2 , SPC significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and eNOS, which markedly improved cardiac function, NO, mitochondrial respiratory function, and enzyme activity and decreased the infarction areas and ROS. In addition, these effects were not influenced by blood glucose levels. This study proved that CoCl 2 activates the HIF-1α signaling pathway, which restores SPC-dependent myocardial protection under diabetic conditions, and the protective effects of SPC were independent of blood glucose levels.

  8. Cobalt Chloride Upregulates Impaired HIF-1α Expression to Restore Sevoflurane Post-conditioning-Dependent Myocardial Protection in Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Jianjiang; Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Maimaitili, Yiliyaer; Wang, Jiang; Ma, Haiping; Yang, Yining; Zheng, Hong

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies from our group have demonstrated that sevoflurane post-conditioning (SPC) protects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury via elevating the intranuclear expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). However, diabetic SPC is associated with decreased myocardial protection and disruption of the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that cobalt chloride (CoCl2) can upregulate HIF-1α expression under diabetic conditions, but whether myocardial protection by SPC can be restored afterward remains unclear. We established a rat model of type 2 diabetes and a Langendorff isolated heart model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Prior to reperfusion, 2.4% sevoflurane was used as a post-conditioning treatment. The diabetic rats were treated with CoCl2 24 h before the experiment. At the end of reperfusion, tests were performed to assess myocardial function, infarct size, mitochondrial morphology, nitric oxide (NO), Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein levels. In addition, myocardial protection by SPC was monitored after the blood glucose levels were lowered by insulin. The diabetic state was associated with deficient SPC protection and decreased HIF-1α expression. After treating the diabetic rats with CoCl2, SPC significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and eNOS, which markedly improved cardiac function, NO, mitochondrial respiratory function, and enzyme activity and decreased the infarction areas and ROS. In addition, these effects were not influenced by blood glucose levels. This study proved that CoCl2activates the HIF-1α signaling pathway, which restores SPC-dependent myocardial protection under diabetic conditions, and the protective effects of SPC were independent of blood glucose levels. PMID:28659817

  9. Increased coronary blood flow and cardiac contractile efficiency with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in a porcine model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

    PubMed

    Gelsomino, Sandro; Lucà, Fabiana; Renzulli, Attilio; Rubino, Antonino S; Romano, Salvatore Mario; van der Veen, Frederik H; Carella, Rocco; Maessen, Joseph G; Gensini, Gian Franco; Lorusso, Roberto

    2011-01-01

    The evaluation of the impact of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) on postischemic coronary perfusion and myocardial contractile impairment has been so far limited to early reperfusion phase. Therefore, we analyzed the 24-hour effects of IABP on coronary blood flow (CBF) and left ventricular performance in an animal model of acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Healthy swine (n = 20) underwent 120-minute ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. We randomly assigned the animals to have IABP placed in the descending aorta 5 minutes after reperfusion onset (n = 10) or to undergo no implantation (n = 10). We measured CBF, coronary resistance, cardiac cycle efficiency (CCE), and maximal pressure/time ratio before ischemia was induced and at 30 minutes and 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion began. During diastole, CBF was significantly increased in IABP compared with baseline and controls at all time points (all p < 0.001). This was also true during systole in IABP only for the first hour after reperfusion began. Additionally, both CCE and pressure/time ratio were significantly increased in IABP compared with baseline at 30 minutes and 1 hour after reperfusion began (p < 0.001). IABP was associated with enhanced CBF and cardiac efficiency in a model of acute ischemic-reperfusion injury.

  10. The evaluation of pulmonary hypertension using right ventricular myocardial isovolumic relaxation time.

    PubMed

    Dambrauskaite, Virginija; Delcroix, Marion; Claus, Piet; Herbots, Lieven; Palecek, Tomas; D'hooge, Jan; Bijnens, Bart; Rademakers, Frank; Sutherland, George R

    2005-11-01

    Right ventricular (RV) blood pool-derived isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) correlates well with systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). However, because of complex parameter derivation, the method is rarely used. The aim of this study was to validate the measurement of myocardial velocity imaging-derived RV IVRT (IVRT') against invasively measured PAP. Transthoracic echocardiography with myocardial velocity imaging and right heart catheterization were performed in 33 patients with pulmonary hypertension. Blood pool IVRT and myocardial IVRTs for the tricuspid valve annulus ring, basal and apical RV free wall segments were measured and compared with data from 33 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Measured IVRTs were significantly longer in patients with pulmonary hypertension than in control subjects. The strongest correlation (R = 0.74, P < .0001) was found between systolic PAP and the heart rate-corrected IVRT' derived from the basal RV free wall segment. The basal segment IVRT' corrected for heart rate correlates well with the invasive PAP measurement and, therefore, can be used to predict systolic PAP. It can even be considered as an alternative to tricuspid regurgitation-derived PAP systolic when tricuspid regurgitation is nonrecordable. A proposed method to derive systolic PAP should be used while screening the patients at risk for pulmonary hypertension, monitoring the disease progression and the effect of treatment.

  11. Interleukin-6 Mediates Myocardial Fibrosis, Concentric Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Meléndez, Giselle C.; McLarty, Jennifer L.; Levick, Scott P.; Du, Yan; Janicki, Joseph S.; Brower, Gregory L.

    2010-01-01

    While there is a correlation between hypertension and levels of IL-6, the exact role of this cytokine in myocardial remodeling is unknown. This is complicated by the variable tissue and circulating levels of IL-6 reported in numerous experimental models of hypertension. Accordingly, we explored the hypothesis that elevated levels of IL-6 mediate adverse myocardial remodeling. To this end, adult male Sprague Dawley rats were infused with IL-6 (2.5 μg·kg-1·hr-1, IP) for 7 days via osmotic minipump and compared to vehicle infused aged-matched controls. Left ventricular function was evaluated using a blood-perfused isolated heart preparation. In addition, myocardial interstitial collagen volume fraction and isolated cardiomyocyte size were also assessed. Isolated adult cardiac fibroblast experiments were performed to determine the importance of the soluble IL-6 receptor in mediating cardiac fibrosis. IL-6 infusions in vivo resulted in concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, increased ventricular stiffness, a marked increase in collagen volume fraction (6.2 vs. 1.7%; p < 0.001), and proportional increases in cardiomyocyte width and length; all independent of blood pressure. The soluble IL-6 receptor in combination with IL-6 was found to be essential in increasing collagen content regulated by isolated cardiac fibroblasts, and also played a role in mediating a phenotypic conversion to myofibroblasts. These novel observations demonstrate that IL-6 induces a myocardial phenotype almost identical to that of the hypertensive heart, identifying IL-6 as potentially important in this remodeling process. PMID:20606113

  12. Impact of impaired coronary flow reserve and insulin resistance on myocardial energy metabolism in patients with syndrome X.

    PubMed

    Bøtker, H E; Sonne, H S; Bagger, J P; Nielsen, T T

    1997-06-15

    To evaluate the role of a decreased coronary flow reserve in the genesis of angina pectoris in patients with syndrome X, we studied myocardial hemodynamics and metabolism at rest, during pace stress, and in the recovery period after pacing in 18 consecutive patients with syndrome X and in 10 control subjects. By means of positron emission tomography or the intracoronary flow-wire method, patients were subclassified as having microvascular angina (MA, n = 8) when coronary flow reserve was reduced (<2.5) or no microvascular angina (non-MA, n = 10) when coronary flow reserve was preserved (> or =2.5). At rest, coronary sinus blood flow was increased in MA patients. During pace stress, coronary sinus blood flow increased by 39 +/- 6% in MA patients versus 67 +/- 12% in non-MA patients and 69 +/- 7% in controls (p <0.05). Patients with non-MA revealed fasting hyperinsulinemia, increased arterial concentration of free fatty acids, and a similar tendency for beta-hydroxybutyrate. Oxygen extraction and carbon dioxide release did not differ between groups. Net myocardial lactate release was not observed in any patient during pace stress and myocardial energy metabolism was preserved in all patients with syndrome X. During pacing, myocardial uptake of free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate was increased in non-MA patients. Myocardial uptake of free fatty acids correlated positively and myocardial glucose and lactate uptake correlated inversely with arterial concentrations of free fatty acids in all subjects. Metabolic evidence of myocardial ischemia is uncommon in patients with syndrome X, irrespective of a globally reduced coronary flow reserve. Although patients with syndrome X can be subclassified according to presence of a microvascular or a metabolic disorder, angina pectoris and ST-segment depressions coexist with a preserved global myocardial energy efficiency in all patients.

  13. Myocardial blood flow quantification by Rb-82 cardiac PET/CT: A detailed reproducibility study between two semi-automatic analysis programs.

    PubMed

    Dunet, Vincent; Klein, Ran; Allenbach, Gilles; Renaud, Jennifer; deKemp, Robert A; Prior, John O

    2016-06-01

    Several analysis software packages for myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification from cardiac PET studies exist, but they have not been compared using concordance analysis, which can characterize precision and bias separately. Reproducible measurements are needed for quantification to fully develop its clinical potential. Fifty-one patients underwent dynamic Rb-82 PET at rest and during adenosine stress. Data were processed with PMOD and FlowQuant (Lortie model). MBF and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) polar maps were quantified and analyzed using a 17-segment model. Comparisons used Pearson's correlation ρ (measuring precision), Bland and Altman limit-of-agreement and Lin's concordance correlation ρc = ρ·C b (C b measuring systematic bias). Lin's concordance and Pearson's correlation values were very similar, suggesting no systematic bias between software packages with an excellent precision ρ for MBF (ρ = 0.97, ρc = 0.96, C b = 0.99) and good precision for MFR (ρ = 0.83, ρc = 0.76, C b = 0.92). On a per-segment basis, no mean bias was observed on Bland-Altman plots, although PMOD provided slightly higher values than FlowQuant at higher MBF and MFR values (P < .0001). Concordance between software packages was excellent for MBF and MFR, despite higher values by PMOD at higher MBF values. Both software packages can be used interchangeably for quantification in daily practice of Rb-82 cardiac PET.

  14. Estimation of dynamic time activity curves from dynamic cardiac SPECT imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hossain, J.; Du, Y.; Links, J.; Rahmim, A.; Karakatsanis, N.; Akhbardeh, A.; Lyons, J.; Frey, E. C.

    2015-04-01

    Whole-heart coronary flow reserve (CFR) may be useful as an early predictor of cardiovascular disease or heart failure. Here we propose a simple method to extract the time-activity curve, an essential component needed for estimating the CFR, for a small number of compartments in the body, such as normal myocardium, blood pool, and ischemic myocardial regions, from SPECT data acquired with conventional cameras using slow rotation. We evaluated the method using a realistic simulation of 99mTc-teboroxime imaging. Uptake of 99mTc-teboroxime based on data from the literature were modeled. Data were simulated using the anatomically-realistic 3D NCAT phantom and an analytic projection code that realistically models attenuation, scatter, and the collimator-detector response. The proposed method was then applied to estimate time activity curves (TACs) for a set of 3D volumes of interest (VOIs) directly from the projections. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of estimated TACs and studied the effects of the presence of perfusion defects that were and were not modeled in the estimation procedure. The method produced good estimates of the myocardial and blood-pool TACS organ VOIs, with average weighted absolute biases of less than 5% for the myocardium and 10% for the blood pool when the true organ boundaries were known and the activity distributions in the organs were uniform. In the presence of unknown perfusion defects, the myocardial TAC was still estimated well (average weighted absolute bias <10%) when the total reduction in myocardial uptake (product of defect extent and severity) was ≤5%. This indicates that the method was robust to modest model mismatch such as the presence of moderate perfusion defects and uptake nonuniformities. With larger defects where the defect VOI was included in the estimation procedure, the estimated normal myocardial and defect TACs were accurate (average weighted absolute bias ≈5% for a defect with 25% extent and 100% severity).

  15. Myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridging in a male adolescent athlete.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Cheng-Gang; Liu, Jun; Liu, Wei-Dong; Xu, Yan-Lu; Wu, Na-Qiong; Guo, Yuan-Lin; Tang, Yi-Da; Jiang, Li-Xin; Li, Jian-Jun

    2012-02-01

    Myocardial bridging is a common congenital abnormality of a coronary artery, and is usually thought to be a benign anatomical variant. Although rare, previous studies have reported that patients with myocardial bridging may suffer from myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmias and even sudden death. Here we report the case of an 18-year-old adolescent athlete with myocardial bridging resulting in MI. Coronary angiography revealed 80% luminal narrowing by systolic compression in the proximal and mid segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which returned to normal during diastole. We considered that heavy sports might be a potential trigger for his MI attack. Therefore, special attention should be paid to this kind of athlete, especially if adolescent.

  16. Absolute quantification methods in tissue near-infrared spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matcher, Steven J.; Kirkpatrick, Peter J.; Nahid, K.; Cope, Mark; Delpy, David T.

    1995-05-01

    Recent work aimed at providing an absolute measurement of tissue haemoglobin saturation and a new instrument development, the spatially resolved spectrometer (SRS), are discussed. The theoretical basis of operation of this device and its hardware implementation are described and the results of validation studies on tissue simulating phantoms are presented as are preliminary measurements on human volunteers and observations on patients undergoing neurosurgery. In its present form the instrument appears to produce absolute haemoglobin saturation values for resting human skeletal muscle and the normally perfused human head which are rather low based on physiological expectations. However, we obtained a tight correlation between the saturation values measured by the SRS instrument and those obtained from blood-gas analysis of samples drawn from a jugular bulb catheter in one neurosurgery subject during clamping of the right carotid arteries.

  17. Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers for myocardial infarction risk: a prospective community-based study

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    BACKGROUND: Most previous studies regarding chronic inflammation and risk of myocardial infarction (MI) have lacked repeated measures of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and/or white blood cell (WBC) count over time. We examined whether cumulative average and longitudinal changes in thes...

  18. Black-blood native T1 mapping: Blood signal suppression for reduced partial voluming in the myocardium.

    PubMed

    Weingärtner, Sebastian; Meßner, Nadja M; Zöllner, Frank G; Akçakaya, Mehmet; Schad, Lothar R

    2017-08-01

    To study the feasibility of black-blood contrast in native T 1 mapping for reduction of partial voluming at the blood-myocardium interface. A saturation pulse prepared heart-rate-independent inversion recovery (SAPPHIRE) T 1 mapping sequence was combined with motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (MSDE) blood suppression for black-blood T 1 mapping at 3 Tesla. Phantom scans were performed to assess the T 1 time accuracy. In vivo black-blood and conventional SAPPHIRE T 1 mapping was performed in eight healthy subjects and analyzed for T 1 times, precision, and inter- and intraobserver variability. Furthermore, manually drawn regions of interest (ROIs) in all T 1 maps were dilated and eroded to analyze the dependence of septal T 1 times on the ROI thickness. Phantom results and in vivo myocardial T 1 times show comparable accuracy with black-blood compared to conventional SAPPHIRE (in vivo: black-blood: 1562 ± 56 ms vs. conventional: 1583 ± 58 ms, P = 0.20); Using black-blood SAPPHIRE precision was significantly lower (standard deviation: 133.9 ± 24.6 ms vs. 63.1 ± 6.4 ms, P < .0001), and blood T 1 time measurement was not possible. Significantly increased interobserver interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (0.996 vs. 0.967, P = 0.011) and similar intraobserver ICC (0.979 vs. 0.939, P = 0.11) was obtained with the black-blood sequence. Conventional SAPPHIRE showed strong dependence on the ROI thickness (R 2 = 0.99). No such trend was observed using the black-blood approach (R 2 = 0.29). Black-blood SAPPHIRE successfully eliminates partial voluming at the blood pool in native myocardial T 1 mapping while providing accurate T 1 times, albeit at a reduced precision. Magn Reson Med 78:484-493, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  19. Neutron activation analysis of certified samples by the absolute method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kadem, F.; Belouadah, N.; Idiri, Z.

    2015-07-01

    The nuclear reactions analysis technique is mainly based on the relative method or the use of activation cross sections. In order to validate nuclear data for the calculated cross section evaluated from systematic studies, we used the neutron activation analysis technique (NAA) to determine the various constituent concentrations of certified samples for animal blood, milk and hay. In this analysis, the absolute method is used. The neutron activation technique involves irradiating the sample and subsequently performing a measurement of the activity of the sample. The fundamental equation of the activation connects several physical parameters including the cross section that is essential for the quantitative determination of the different elements composing the sample without resorting to the use of standard sample. Called the absolute method, it allows a measurement as accurate as the relative method. The results obtained by the absolute method showed that the values are as precise as the relative method requiring the use of standard sample for each element to be quantified.

  20. THE AMPK ACTIVATOR AICAR AMELIORATES AGE-DEPENDENT MYOCARDIAL INJURY IN MURINE HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK

    PubMed Central

    Matsiukevich, Dzmitry; Piraino, Giovanna; Klingbeil, Lindsey R.; Hake, Paul W.; Wolfe, Vivian; O’Connor, Michael; Zingarelli, Basilia

    2016-01-01

    The development of myocardial dysfunction in patients with hemorrhagic shock is significantly impacted by the patient age. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a pivotal orchestrator of energy homeostasis, which coordinates metabolic recovery after cellular stress. We investigated whether AMPK-regulated pathways are age-dependent in hemorrhage-induced myocardial injury and whether AMPK activation by 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide riboside (AICAR) affords cardioprotective effects. Anesthetized C57/BL6 young (3–5 months old) and mature male mice (9–12 months old) were subjected to hemorrhagic shock by blood withdrawing followed by resuscitation with shed blood and Lactated Ringer’s solution. Mice were sacrificed at 3 hours after resuscitation, and plasma and hearts were harvested for biochemical assays. Vehicle-treated mature mice exhibited higher myocardial injury and higher levels of plasma biomarkers of cardiovascular injury (endocan and follistatin) when compared with young mice. Cardiac cell mitochondrial structure was also markedly impaired in vehicle-treated mature mice when compared to young mice. At molecular analysis, an increase of the phosphorylated catalytic subunit pAMPKα was associated with nuclear translocation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-α in young, but not mature mice. No changes in autophagy were observed as evaluated by the conversion of the light-chain (LC)3B-I protein to LC3B-II form. Treatment with AICAR ameliorated myocardial damage in both age groups. However, AICAR therapeutic effects were less effective in mature mice compared to young mice and involved distinct mechanisms of action. Thus, our data demonstrate that during hemorrhagic shock AMPK-dependent metabolic mechanisms are important for mitigating myocardial injury. However, these mechanisms are less competent with age. PMID:27513082

  1. Reduced coronary flow and resistance reserve in primary scleroderma myocardial disease

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nitenberg, A.; Foult, J.M.; Kahan, A.

    1986-08-01

    The maximum coronary vasodilator capacity after intravenous dipyridamole (0.14 mg X kg-1 X min-1 X 4 minutes) was studied in seven patients with primary scleroderma myocardial disease and compared to that of seven control subjects. Hemodynamic data and left ventricular angiographic data were not different in the two groups. The coronary flow reserve was evaluated by the dipyridamole/basal coronary sinus blood flow ratio (D/B CSBF) and the coronary resistance reserve by the dipyridamole/basal coronary resistance ratio (D/B CR). Coronary reserve was greatly impaired in the group with primary scleroderma myocardial disease: D/B CSBF was lower than in the control groupmore » (2.54 +/- 1.37 vs 4.01 +/- 0.56, respectively; p less than 0.05) and D/B CR was higher than in the control group (0.47 +/- 0.25 vs 0.23 +/- 0.04, respectively; p less than 0.05). Such a decreased coronary flow and resistance reserve in patients with primary scleroderma myocardial disease was not explained by an alteration of left ventricular function. It may be an important contributing factor in the pathogenesis of primary scleroderma myocardial disease.« less

  2. Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging: detection of ischemia in a porcine model with FFR verification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fahmi, Rachid; Eck, Brendan L.; Vembar, Mani; Bezerra, Hiram G.; Wilson, David L.

    2014-03-01

    Dynamic cardiac CT perfusion (CTP) is a high resolution, non-invasive technique for assessing myocardial blood ow (MBF), which in concert with coronary CT angiography enable CT to provide a unique, comprehensive, fast analysis of both coronary anatomy and functional ow. We assessed perfusion in a porcine model with and without coronary occlusion. To induce occlusion, each animal underwent left anterior descending (LAD) stent implantation and angioplasty balloon insertion. Normal ow condition was obtained with balloon completely de ated. Partial occlusion was induced by balloon in ation against the stent with FFR used to assess the extent of occlusion. Prospective ECG-triggered partial scan images were acquired at end systole (45% R-R) using a multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner. Images were reconstructed using FBP and a hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose4, Philips Healthcare). Processing included: beam hardening (BH) correction, registration of image volumes using 3D cubic B-spline normalized mutual-information, and spatio-temporal bilateral ltering to reduce partial scan artifacts and noise variation. Absolute blood ow was calculated with a deconvolutionbased approach using singular value decomposition (SVD). Arterial input function was estimated from the left ventricle (LV) cavity. Regions of interest (ROIs) were identi ed in healthy and ischemic myocardium and compared in normal and occluded conditions. Under-perfusion was detected in the correct LAD territory and ow reduction agreed well with FFR measurements. Flow was reduced, on average, in LAD territories by 54%.

  3. Myocardial perfusion MRI with sliding-window conjugate-gradient HYPR.

    PubMed

    Ge, Lan; Kino, Aya; Griswold, Mark; Mistretta, Charles; Carr, James C; Li, Debiao

    2009-10-01

    First-pass perfusion MRI is a promising technique for detecting ischemic heart disease. However, the diagnostic value of the method is limited by the low spatial coverage, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and cardiac motion-related image artifacts. In this study we investigated the feasibility of using a method that combines sliding window and CG-HYPR methods (SW-CG-HYPR) to reduce the acquisition window for each slice while maintaining the temporal resolution of one frame per heartbeat in myocardial perfusion MRI. This method allows an increased number of slices, reduced motion artifacts, and preserves the relatively high SNR and spatial resolution of the "composite images." Results from eight volunteers demonstrate the feasibility of SW-CG-HYPR for accelerated myocardial perfusion imaging with accurate signal intensity changes of left ventricle blood pool and myocardium. Using this method the acquisition time per cardiac cycle was reduced by a factor of 4 and the number of slices was increased from 3 to 8 as compared to the conventional technique. The SNR of the myocardium at peak enhancement with SW-CG-HYPR (13.83 +/- 2.60) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the conventional turbo-FLASH protocol (8.40 +/- 1.62). Also, the spatial resolution of the myocardial perfection images was significantly improved. SW-CG-HYPR is a promising technique for myocardial perfusion MRI. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  4. Progressive epicardial coronary blood flow reduction fails to produce ST-segment depression at normal heart rates.

    PubMed

    de Chantal, Marilyn; Diodati, Jean G; Nasmith, James B; Amyot, Robert; LeBlanc, A Robert; Schampaert, Erick; Pharand, Chantal

    2006-12-01

    ST-segment depression is commonly seen in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Most authors have attributed it to transient reductions in coronary blood flow due to nonocclusive thrombus formation on a disrupted atherosclerotic plaque and dynamic focal vasospasm at the site of coronary artery stenosis. However, ST-segment depression was never reproduced in classic animal models of coronary stenosis without the presence of tachycardia. We hypothesized that ST-segment depression occurring during acute coronary syndromes is not entirely explained by changes in epicardial coronary artery resistance and thus evaluated the effect of a slow, progressive epicardial coronary artery occlusion on the ECG and regional myocardial blood flow in anesthetized pigs. Slow, progressive occlusion over 72 min (SD 27) of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 20 anesthetized pigs led to a 90% decrease in coronary blood flow and the development of ST-segment elevation associated with homogeneous and transmural myocardial blood flow reductions, confirmed by microspheres and myocardial contrast echocardiography. ST-segment depression was not observed in any ECG lead before the development of ST-segment elevation. At normal heart rates, progressive epicardial stenosis of a coronary artery results in myocardial ischemia associated with homogeneous, transmural reduction in regional myocardial blood flow and ST-segment elevation, without preceding ST-segment depression. Thus, in coronary syndromes with ST-segment depression and predominant subendocardial ischemia, factors other than mere increases in epicardial coronary resistance must be invoked to explain the heterogeneous parietal distribution of flow and associated ECG changes.

  5. Different Causes of Death in Patients with Myocardial Infarction Type 1, Type 2, and Myocardial Injury.

    PubMed

    Lambrecht, Sascha; Sarkisian, Laura; Saaby, Lotte; Poulsen, Tina S; Gerke, Oke; Hosbond, Susanne; Diederichsen, Axel C P; Thygesen, Kristian; Mickley, Hans

    2018-05-01

    Data outlining the mortality and the causes of death in patients with type 1 myocardial infarction, type 2 myocardial infarction, and those with myocardial injury are limited. During a 1-year period from January 2010 to January 2011, all hospitalized patients who had cardiac troponin I measured on clinical indication were prospectively studied. Patients with at least one cardiac troponin I value >30 ng/L underwent case ascertainment and individual evaluation by an experienced adjudication committee. Patients were classified as having type 1 myocardial infarction, type 2 myocardial infarction, or myocardial injury according to the criteria of the universal definition of myocardial infarction. Follow-up was ensured until December 31, 2014. Data on mortality and causes of death were obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Danish Register of Causes of Death. Overall, 3762 consecutive patients were followed for a mean of 3.2 years (interquartile range 1.3-3.6 years). All-cause mortality differed significantly among categories: Type 1 myocardial infarction 31.7%, type 2 myocardial infarction 62.2%, myocardial injury 58.7%, and 22.2% in patients with nonelevated troponin values (log-rank test; P < .0001). In patients with type 1 myocardial infarction, 61.3% died from cardiovascular causes, vs 42.6% in patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (P = .015) and 41.2% in those with myocardial injury (P < .0001). The overall mortality and the causes of death did not differ substantially between patients with type 2 myocardial infarction and those with myocardial injury. Patients with type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury exhibit a significantly higher long-term mortality compared with patients with type 1 myocardial infarction . However, most patients with type 1 myocardial infarction die from cardiovascular causes in contrast to patients with type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury, in whom noncardiovascular causes of death

  6. Phaeochromocytoma in a 86-year-old patient presenting with reversible myocardial dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Szwench, Elżbieta; P Czkowska, Mariola; Marczewski, Krzysztof; Klisiewicz, Anna; Micha Owska, Ilona; Ciuba, Iwona; Januszewicz, Magdalena; Prejbisz, Aleksander; Hoffman, Piotr; Januszewicz, Andrzej

    2011-12-01

    BACKGROUND. Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare, mostly benign catecholamine-producing tumours of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or of extra-adrenal paraganglia. Phaeochromocytoma may occur at any age, the greatest frequency being in the fourth and fifth decades. Only on extremely rare occasions does the tumour develop in the very old patients. METHODS. We are describing an 86-year-old patient with phaeochromocytoma, presenting with reversible myocardial dysfunction. RESULTS. This very old patient with phaeochromocytoma had hypertension characterized by labile blood pressure values and increased daytime blood pressure variability. This patient exhibited reversible myocardial dysfunction suggestive for "catecholaminergic cardiomyopathy", as the complication of phaeochromocytoma. After surgical removal of the tumour, recovery of left ventricular function was documented by echocardiography showing normalization of systolic function and improvement of diastolic function. CONCLUSION. Phaeochromocytomas are rare forms of secondary hypertension, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis, regardless of age, even in very old patients.

  7. Periodontitis and myocardial hypertrophy.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Jun-Ichi; Sato, Hiroki; Kaneko, Makoto; Yoshida, Asuka; Aoyama, Norio; Akimoto, Shouta; Wakayama, Kouji; Kumagai, Hidetoshi; Ikeda, Yuichi; Akazawa, Hiroshi; Izumi, Yuichi; Isobe, Mitsuaki; Komuro, Issei

    2017-04-01

    There is a deep relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontitis. It has been reported that myocardial hypertrophy may be affected by periodontitis in clinical settings. Although these clinical observations had some study limitations, they strongly suggest a direct association between severity of periodontitis and left ventricular hypertrophy. However, the detailed mechanisms between myocardial hypertrophy and periodontitis have not yet been elucidated. Recently, we demonstrated that periodontal bacteria infection is closely related to myocardial hypertrophy. In murine transverse aortic constriction models, a periodontal pathogen, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans markedly enhanced cardiac hypertrophy with matrix metalloproteinase-2 activation, while another pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) did not accelerate these pathological changes. In the isoproterenol-induced myocardial hypertrophy model, P.g. induced myocardial hypertrophy through Toll-like receptor-2 signaling. From our results and other reports, regulation of chronic inflammation induced by periodontitis may have a key role in the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy. In this article, we review the pathophysiological mechanism between myocardial hypertrophy and periodontitis.

  8. [The specific features of the blood gas transport system in patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis].

    PubMed

    Mikashinovich, Z I; Suroedova, R A; Olempieva, E V

    2009-10-01

    The specific features of blood gas transport system functioning were analyzed in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis (PICS), the quantitative mechanism for hypoxia adaptation tended to decrease, which may be considered to be a compensatory-adaptive reaction aimed at eliminating the sludge phenomenon and improving the rheological characteristics of blood. Acute myocardial reinfarction developed in patents with PICS is characterized by the lower functional activity of red blood cells, and developing hypoxia is an important link of activation of apoptotic cell death. The degree of hypoxia may be believed to correlate with the sizes of a myocardial necrosis focus.

  9. Effect of granulocyte colony stimulating EPC on cardiac function and myocardial energy expenditure in patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Zilin; Luo, Jianchun; Ma, Lixian; Luo, Xia; Huang, Liangyan

    2015-01-01

    To study the changes of cardiac function and myocardial energy expenditure following treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction. Thirty-eight patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction were randomized into G-CSF treatment group and control group. All the patients received conventional treatment (medication and interventional therapy), and the patients in treatment group were given additional G-CSF (600 μg/day) for 7 consecutive days. The plasma level of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in the peripheral blood were detected before and at 7 days and 4 months after the treatment. The cardiac functions (LVEF, FS, LVIDs, PWTs, EDV, SV, ET) was evaluated by ultrasonic imaging before and at 2 weeks and 4 months after the treatment. The MEE and circumferential end-systolic wall stress (cESS) were calculated by correlation formula. The number of EPC was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group after the treatment especially at 7 days (P<0.01). In both groups, BNP level was lowered significantly after the treatment to recover the normal level (P<0.01). The cardiac functions and myocardial energy expenditure were improved in all the patients at 2 weeks and 4 months after the treatment, and the improvement was more obvious in the treatment group (P<0.05), especially in terms of the MEE and cESS was significantly lowered in the treatment group than in the control group after the treatment at 2 weeks (P<0.01), the LVEF and FS was significantly increased in the treatment group than in the control group after the treatment at 4 months (P<0.01). EPC mobilization by G-CSF can effectively improve the cardiac functions, lessen ventricular remodeling and reduce myocardial energy expenditure in patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

  10. Teaching Absolute Value Meaningfully

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wade, Angela

    2012-01-01

    What is the meaning of absolute value? And why do teachers teach students how to solve absolute value equations? Absolute value is a concept introduced in first-year algebra and then reinforced in later courses. Various authors have suggested instructional methods for teaching absolute value to high school students (Wei 2005; Stallings-Roberts…

  11. Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia combining multiphase postmortem CT-angiography, histology, and postmortem biochemistry.

    PubMed

    Vanhaebost, Jessica; Ducrot, Kewin; de Froidmont, Sébastien; Scarpelli, Maria Pia; Egger, Coraline; Baumann, Pia; Schmit, Gregory; Grabherr, Silke; Palmiere, Cristian

    2017-02-01

    The aim of this study was to assess whether the identification of pathological myocardial enhancement at multiphase postmortem computed tomography angiography was correlated with increased levels of troponin T and I in postmortem serum from femoral blood as well as morphological findings of myocardial ischemia. We further aimed to investigate whether autopsy cases characterized by increased troponin T and I concentrations as well as morphological findings of myocardial ischemia were also characterized by pathological myocardial enhancement at multiphase postmortem computed tomography angiography. Two different approaches were used. In one, 40 forensic autopsy cases that had pathological enhancement of the myocardium (mean Hounsfield units ≥95) observed at postmortem angiography were retrospectively selected. In the second approach, 40 forensic autopsy cases that had a cause of death attributed to acute myocardial ischemia were retrospectively selected. The preliminary results seem to indicate that the identification of a pathological enhancement of the myocardium at postmortem angiography is associated with the presence of increased levels of cardiac troponins in postmortem serum and morphological findings of ischemia. Analogously, a pathological enhancement of the myocardium at postmortem angiography can be retrospectively found in the great majority of autopsy cases characterized by increased cardiac troponin levels in postmortem serum and morphological findings of myocardial ischemia. Multiphase postmortem computed tomography angiography is a useful tool in the postmortem setting for investigating ischemically damaged myocardium.

  12. Defibrotide reduces infarct size in a rabbit model of experimental myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion.

    PubMed Central

    Thiemermann, C.; Thomas, G. R.; Vane, J. R.

    1989-01-01

    1. Defibrotide, a single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide obtained from bovine lungs, has significant anti-thrombotic, pro-fibrinolytic and prostacyclin-stimulating properties. 2. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of defibrotide on infarct size and regional myocardial blood flow in a rabbit model of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. 3. Defibrotide (32 mg kg-1 bolus + 32 mg kg-1 h-1, i.v.) either with or without co-administration of indomethacin (5 mg kg-1 x 2, i.v.) was administered 5 min after occlusion of the left anterior-lateral coronary artery and continued during the 60 min occlusion and subsequent 3 h reperfusion periods. 4. Defibrotide significantly attenuated the ischaemia-induced ST-segment elevation and abolished the reperfusion-related changes (R-wave reduction and Q-wave development) in the electrocardiogram. In addition, defibrotide significantly improved myocardial blood flow in normal and in ischaemic, but not in infarcted sections of the heart. The improvement in blood flow in normal perfused myocardium, but not in the ischaemic area was prevented by indomethacin. 5. Although the area at risk was similar in all animal groups studied, defibrotide treatment resulted in a 51% reduction of infarct size. Indomethacin treatment abolished the reduction of infarct size seen with defibrotide alone. 6. The data demonstrate a considerable cardioprotective effect of defibrotide in the reperfused ischaemic rabbit myocardium. This effect may be related, at least in part, to a stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin formation. Other possible mechanisms are discussed. PMID:2758223

  13. Comparison of clinical tools for measurements of regional stress and rest myocardial blood flow assessed with 13N-ammonia PET/CT.

    PubMed

    Slomka, Piotr J; Alexanderson, Erick; Jácome, Rodrigo; Jiménez, Moises; Romero, Edgar; Meave, Aloha; Le Meunier, Ludovic; Dalhbom, Magnus; Berman, Daniel S; Germano, Guido; Schelbert, Heinrich

    2012-02-01

    Several models for the quantitative analysis of myocardial blood flow (MBF) at stress and rest and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) with (13)N-ammonia myocardial perfusion PET have been implemented for clinical use. We aimed to compare quantitative results obtained from 3 software tools (QPET, syngo MBF, and PMOD), which perform PET MBF quantification with either a 2-compartment model (QPET and syngo MBF) or a 1-compartment model (PMOD). We considered 33 adenosine stress and rest (13)N-ammonia studies (22 men and 11 women). Average age was 54.5 ± 15 y, and average body mass index was 26 ± 4.2. Eighteen patients had a very low likelihood of disease, with no chest pain, normal relative perfusion results, and normal function. All data were obtained on a PET/CT scanner in list mode with CT attenuation maps. Sixteen dynamic frames were reconstructed (twelve 10-s, two 30-s, one 1-min, and one 6-min frames). Global and regional stress and rest MBF and MFR values were obtained with each tool. Left ventricular contours and input function region were obtained automatically in system QPET and syngo MBF and manually in PMOD. The flow values and MFR values were highly correlated among the 3 packages (R(2) ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 for global values and from 0.78 to 0.94 for regional values. Mean reference MFR values were similar for QPET, syngo MBF, and PMOD (3.39 ± 1.22, 3.41 ± 0.76, and 3.66 ± 1.19, respectively) by 1-way ANOVA (P = 0.74). The lowest MFR in very low likelihood patients in any given vascular territory was 2.25 for QPET, 2.13 for syngo MBF, and 2.23 for PMOD. Different implementations of 1- and 2-compartment models demonstrate an excellent correlation in MFR for each vascular territory, with similar mean MFR values.

  14. Subsets of telocytes: Myocardial telocytes.

    PubMed

    Rusu, M C; Hostiuc, S; Vrapciu, A D; Mogoantă, L; Mănoiu, V S; Grigoriu, F

    2017-01-01

    Telocytes (TCs) are morphologically defined as small-sized cells with long, thin, moniliform processes called telopodes (Tps). Numerous papers imply that TCs are a distinctive cell type, and that transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the gold standard tool for their identification. We aimed to reproduce previous studies on myocardial TCs to check their validity. For this purpose we performed an immunohistochemical study on human cardiac samples from six autopsied donor cadavers, using antibodies against CD10, CD31, CD34, CD146, Ki67, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-alpha (PDGFRα) and laminin. Additionally we performed a TEM study on cardiac samples from three human autopsied donor cadavers and five adult Sprague-Dawley rats. We found endothelial cells (ECs), cords, and filopodia-projecting endothelial tip cells (ETCs) that expressed CD10, CD31, CD34, CD146, and PDGFR-α. Often, endothelial cells closely neighbored the sarcolemmal basal laminae. Endothelial progenitor cells, as well as nascent capillaries, were CD31+/CD34+. Proliferative endothelial cells expressed Ki67. In larger vessels we found pericytes that expressed CD146 and α-SMA; scarce α-SMA-expressing spindle-shaped cells lining cardiomyocytes were suggestive of a pericytic role in angiogenic sprout guidance. The TEM study showed that endothelial tubes are almost exclusively found in the narrow myocardial interstitia. ECs that built them up appeared identical to the cells that previous TEM studies have suggested to be myocardial telocytes. A subset of stromal cells with TC-like phenotype and telopodes-like processes actually seem to configure blood vessels, and therefore belong to the endothelial lineage. This study shows that data presented in previous studies on myocardial telocytes is not enough to allow the reproducibility of the results. At least a subset of cells considered to be TCs might belong to the endothelial lineage. Copyright © 2016

  15. Myocardial blood flow: Roentgen videodensitometry techniques

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, H. C.; Robb, R. A.; Wood, E. H.

    1975-01-01

    The current status of roentgen videodensitometric techniques that provide an objective assessment of blood flow at selected sites within the coronary circulation were described. Roentgen videodensitometry employs conventional radiopaque indicators, radiological equipment and coronary angiographic techniques. Roentgen videodensitometry techniques developed in the laboratory during the past nine years, and for the past three years were applied to analysis of angiograms in the clinical cardiac catheterization laboratory.

  16. Cardiac contraction motion compensation in gated myocardial perfusion SPECT: A comparative study.

    PubMed

    Salehi, Narges; Rahmim, Arman; Fatemizadeh, Emad; Akbarzadeh, Afshin; Farahani, Mohammad Hossein; Farzanefar, Saeed; Ay, Mohammad Reza

    2018-05-01

    Cardiac contraction significantly degrades quality and quantitative accuracy of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) images. In this study, we aimed to explore different techniques in motion-compensated temporal processing of MPS images and their impact on image quality and quantitative accuracy. 50 patients without known heart condition underwent gated MPS. 3D motion compensation methods using Motion Freezing by Cedars Sinai (MF), Log-domain Diffeomorphic Demons (LDD) and Free-Form Deformation (FFD) were applied to warp all image phases to fit the end-diastolic (ED) phase. Afterwards, myocardial wall thickness, myocardial to blood pool contrast, and image contrast-to noise ratio (CNR) were measured in summed images with no motion compensation (NoMC) and compensated images (MF, LDD and FFD). Total Perfusion Defect (TPD) was derived from Cedars-Sinai software, on the basis of sex-specific normal limits. Left ventricle (LV) lateral wall thickness was reduced after applying motion compensation (p < 0.05). Myocardial to blood pool contrast and CNR in compensated images were greater than NoMC (p < 0.05). TPD_LDD was in good agreement with the corresponding TPD_MF (p = 0.13). All methods have improved image quality and quantitative performance relative to NoMC. LDD and FFD are fully automatic and do not require any manual intervention, while MF is dependent on contour definition. In terms of diagnostic parameters LDD is in good agreement with MF which is a clinically accepted method. Further investigation along with diagnostic reference standards, in order to specify diagnostic value of each technique is recommended. Copyright © 2018 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. All rights reserved.

  17. Avoiding full corrections in dynamic SPECT images impacts the performance of SPECT myocardial blood flow quantitation.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Wu, Dayong; Yang, Yong; Chen, Ing-Jou; Lin, Chih-Yuan; Hsu, Bailing; Fang, Wei; Tang, Yi-Da

    2017-08-01

    This study investigated the performance of SPECT myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantitation lacking full physical corrections (All Corr) in dynamic SPECT (DySPECT) images. Eleven healthy normal volunteers (HVT) and twenty-four patients with angiography-documented CAD were assessed. All Corr in 99m Tc-sestamibi DySPECT encompassed noise reduction (NR), resolution recovery (RR), and corrections for scatter (SC) and attenuation (AC), otherwise no correction (NC) or only partial corrections. The performance was evaluated by quality index (R 2 ) and blood-pool spillover index (FBV) in kinetic modeling, and by rest flow (RMBF) and stress flow (SMBF) compared with those of All Corr. In HVT group, NC diminished 2-fold flow uniformity with the most degraded quality (15%-18% reduced R 2 ) and elevated spillover effect (45%-50% increased FBV). Consistently higher RMBF and SMBF were discovered in both groups (HVT 1.54/2.31 higher; CAD 1.60/1.72; all P < .0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed positive flow bias (HVT 0.9-2.6 mL/min/g; CAD 0.7-1.3) with wide ranges of 95% CI of agreement (HVT NC -1.9-7.1; NR -0.4-4.4; NR + SC -1.1-4.3; NR + SC + RR -0.7-2.5) (CAD NC -1.2-3.8; NR -1.0-2.8; NR + SC -1.0-2.5; NR + SC + RR -1.1-2.6). Uncorrected physical interference in DySPECT images can extensively impact the performance of MBF quantitation. Full physical corrections should be considered to warrant this tool for clinical utilization.

  18. Polycythemia vera presenting as acute myocardial infarction: An unusual presentation

    PubMed Central

    Bahbahani, Hussain; Aljenaee, Khaled; Bella, Abdelhaleem

    2014-01-01

    Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is usually seen in the setting of atherosclerosis and its associated risk factors. Myocardial infarction in the young poses a particular challenge, as the disease is less likely, due to atherosclerosis. We report the case of a 37-year-old female patient who presented with ST segment elevation anterolateral AMI. The only abnormality on routine blood investigation was raised hemoglobin and hematocrit. After further testing, she was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria with polycythemia vera. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing polycythemia vera as an important cause of thrombosis, which can present initially as AMI, and to emphasize the early recognition of the disease in order to initiate appropriate management strategies. PMID:25544823

  19. Exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease: lack of evidence for platelet activation or fibrin formation in peripheral venous blood.

    PubMed

    Marcella, J J; Nichols, A B; Johnson, L L; Owen, J; Reison, D S; Kaplan, K L; Cannon, P J

    1983-05-01

    peripheral venous blood of patients with coronary disease during exercise-induced myocardial ischemia.

  20. Measuring Time-Averaged Blood Pressure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rothman, Neil S.

    1988-01-01

    Device measures time-averaged component of absolute blood pressure in artery. Includes compliant cuff around artery and external monitoring unit. Ceramic construction in monitoring unit suppresses ebb and flow of pressure-transmitting fluid in sensor chamber. Transducer measures only static component of blood pressure.

  1. Application of Large-Scale Aptamer-Based Proteomic Profiling to Planned Myocardial Infarctions.

    PubMed

    Jacob, Jaison; Ngo, Debby; Finkel, Nancy; Pitts, Rebecca; Gleim, Scott; Benson, Mark D; Keyes, Michelle J; Farrell, Laurie A; Morgan, Thomas; Jennings, Lori L; Gerszten, Robert E

    2018-03-20

    Emerging proteomic technologies using novel affinity-based reagents allow for efficient multiplexing with high-sample throughput. To identify early biomarkers of myocardial injury, we recently applied an aptamer-based proteomic profiling platform that measures 1129 proteins to samples from patients undergoing septal alcohol ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a human model of planned myocardial injury. Here, we examined the scalability of this approach using a markedly expanded platform to study a far broader range of human proteins in the context of myocardial injury. We applied a highly multiplexed, expanded proteomic technique that uses single-stranded DNA aptamers to assay 4783 human proteins (4137 distinct human gene targets) to derivation and validation cohorts of planned myocardial injury, individuals with spontaneous myocardial infarction, and at-risk controls. We found 376 target proteins that significantly changed in the blood after planned myocardial injury in a derivation cohort (n=20; P <1.05E-05, 1-way repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni threshold). Two hundred forty-seven of these proteins were validated in an independent planned myocardial injury cohort (n=15; P <1.33E-04, 1-way repeated measures analysis of variance); >90% were directionally consistent and reached nominal significance in the validation cohort. Among the validated proteins that were increased within 1 hour after planned myocardial injury, 29 were also elevated in patients with spontaneous myocardial infarction (n=63; P <6.17E-04). Many of the novel markers identified in our study are intracellular proteins not previously identified in the peripheral circulation or have functional roles relevant to myocardial injury. For example, the cardiac LIM protein, cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3, is thought to mediate cardiac mechanotransduction and stress responses, whereas the mitochondrial ATP synthase F 0 subunit component is a vasoactive peptide on its release

  2. Imaging of myocardial infarction in dogs and humans using monoclonal antibodies specific for human myosin heavy chains

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leger, J.; Chevalier, J.; Larue, C.

    1991-08-01

    The use of three different monoclonal antibodies specific for human ventricular myosin heavy chains in the visualization of the location and extent of necrosis in dogs with experimental acute myocardial infarction and in humans is described. Using a classic immunohistochemical method or ex vivo analysis of heart slices in dogs with acute myocardial infarction subjected to intravenous injection of unlabeled antimyosin antibodies or antimyosin antibodies labeled with indium-111, it was observed that all antibody fragments specifically reached the targeted necrotic zone less than 2 h after antibody injection and remained bound for up to 24 h. In a limited butmore » significant number of cases (5 of the 12 humans and 11 of 43 dogs), it was possible to image the necrotic zone in vivo as early as 2 to 4 h after antibody injection. In other cases, individual blood clearance variations retarded or even prevented in vivo necrosis detection. Higher antimyosin fixation values were obtained in the necrotic zones in dogs with a rapid blood clearance relative to that of the other dogs. It is concluded that antimyosin antibodies always reached necrotic areas within 2 h. If blood clearance was rapid, in vivo imaging of the necrotic area was possible 2 to 6 h after necrosis, even in humans. In some cases, however, uncontrolled individual variations in the timing required for sufficient blood clearance hampered this rapid in vivo detection of myocardial necrosis.« less

  3. Experimental basis of myocardial imaging with 123I-labeled hexadecenoic acid.

    PubMed

    Poe, N D; Robinson, G D; Graham, L S; MacDonald, N S

    1976-12-01

    Progress in myocardial perfusion imaging has been slowed by the lack or radiopharmaceuticals with suitable physical and biologic characteristics. Hexadecenoic acid, terminally labeled with 123I, partially overcomes these limitations by providing a compound that concentrates in the myocardium in proportion to relative regional blood flow and carries a gamma-emitter with desirable detection and imaging qualities. After intravenous injection in experimental animals, the clearance half-times of hexadecenoic acid for blood and myocardium are 1.7 and 20 min, respectively. These values compare favorably with 18-carbon fatty-acid analogs labeled with 11C. In acute and chronic infarction, similar distribution patterns are found for hexadecenoic acid and 43K, which indicates that hexadecenoic acid is a suitable substitute for the potassium analogs now in use for myocardial imaging. Because of the high count rates obtainable with 123I-hexadecenoic acid, good-guality images can be acquired in as little as 2-3 min per view. Iodine-123-hexadecenoic acid is potentially a useful radiopharmaceutical for clinical application.

  4. Increase in coronary blood flow by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in a porcine model of myocardial reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Bonios, Michael J; Pierrakos, Charalampos N; Argiriou, Michael; Dalianis, Argirios; Terrovitis, John V; Dolou, Paraskevi; Drakos, Stavros G; Koudoumas, Dimitrios; Charitos, Christos E; Anastasiou-Nana, Maria I

    2010-02-04

    Studies of the IABP have reported variable effects on coronary blood flow (CBF). The purpose of the present study was to measure the changes in coronary blood flow induced by intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation in normal and reperfused porcine myocardium. A 30-ml IABP was placed in the descending aorta of 6 open-chest pigs. Each pig underwent occlusion of the mid-left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. The effects of IABP support on systolic aortic pressure (SAP) and aortic end-diastolic pressure were recorded. The mean CBF, distal to the LAD occlusion site was measured at baseline and during reperfusion, with and without IABP counterpulsation. The IABP decreased SAP and aortic end-diastolic pressure in normal and reperfused myocardium, and maintained a peak aortic diastolic augmentation at the level of SAP. In normal myocardium, the IABP decreased mean CBF by 8.4+/-2.2% (p<0.001). At 2, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of reperfusion, the IABP increased mean CBF by 11.5+/-6.8%, 8.0+/-7.0%, 11.2+/-6.9%, 12.4+/-12.9%, 23.5+/-9.9% and 8.9+/-6.9%, of the corresponding value without the assistance of the IABP (all p<0.05). In the normal heart, IABP counterpulsation decreased CBF, probably because of a decrease in myocardial oxygen demand from a decreased afterload. During reperfusion the IABP increased CBF, suggesting that it might effectively mitigate the no-reflow phenomenon. Copyright 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. The association between white blood cell count and acute myocardial infarction in-hospital mortality: findings from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction.

    PubMed

    Grzybowski, Mary; Welch, Robert D; Parsons, Lori; Ndumele, Chiadi E; Chen, Edmond; Zalenski, Robert; Barron, Hal V

    2004-10-01

    Although cross-sectional and prospective studies have shown that the white blood cell (WBC) count is associated with long-term mortality for patients with ischemic heart disease, the role of the WBC count as an independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been examined as extensively. The objective of this study was to determine whether the WBC count is associated with in-hospital mortality for patients with ischemic heart disease after controlling for potential confounders. From July 31, 2000, to July 31, 2001, the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 4 enrolled 186,727 AMI patients. A total of 115,273 patients were included in the analysis. WBC counts were subdivided into intervals of 1,000/mL, and in-hospital mortality rates were determined for each interval. The distribution revealed a J-shaped curve. Patients with WBC counts >5,000/mL were subdivided into quartiles, whereas patients with WBC counts <5,000/mL were assigned to a separate category labeled "subquartile" and were analyzed separately. A linear increase in in-hospital mortality by WBC count quartile was found. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for the fourth versus the first quartile showed strong associations with in-hospital mortality among the entire population and by gender: 4.09 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.83 to 4.73) for all patients, 4.31 (95% CI = 3.93 to 4.73) for men, and 3.65 (95% CI = 3.32 to 4.01) for women. Following adjustment for covariates, the magnitude of the ORs attenuated, but the ORs remained highly significant (OR, 2.71 [95% CI = 2.53 to 2.90] for all patients; OR, 2.87 [95% CI = 2.59 to 3.19] for men; OR, 2.61 [95% CI = 2.36 to 2.99] for women). Reperfused patients had consistently lower in-hospital mortality rates for all patients and by gender (p < 0.0001). The WBC count is an independent predictor of in-hospital AMI mortality and may be useful in assessing the prognosis of AMI in conjunction with other

  6. Intravenous Administration of Lycopene, a Tomato Extract, Protects against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

    PubMed Central

    Tong, Chao; Peng, Chuan; Wang, Lianlian; Zhang, Li; Yang, Xiaotao; Xu, Ping; Li, Jinjin; Delplancke, Thibaut; Zhang, Hua; Qi, Hongbo

    2016-01-01

    Background: Oral uptake of lycopene has been shown to be beneficial for preventing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the strong first-pass metabolism of lycopene influences its bioavailability and impedes its clinic application. In this study, we determined an intravenous (IV) administration dose of lycopene protects against myocardial infarction (MI) in a mouse model, and investigated the effects of acute lycopene administration on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and related signaling pathways during myocardial I/R. Methods: In this study, we established both in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model and in vivo regional myocardial I/R mouse model by ligating left anterior artery descending. TTC dual staining was used to assess I/R induced MI in the absence and presence of acute lycopene administration via tail vein injection. Results: Lycopene treatment (1 μM) before reoxygenation significantly reduced cardiomyocyte death induced by H/R. Intravenous administration of lycopene to achieve 1 μM concentration in circulating blood significantly suppressed MI, ROS production, and JNK phosphorylation in the cardiac tissue of mice during in vivo regional I/R. Conclusion: Elevating circulating lycopene to 1 μM via IV injection protects against myocardial I/R injury through inhibition of ROS accumulation and consequent inflammation in mice. PMID:26950150

  7. Intravenous Administration of Lycopene, a Tomato Extract, Protects against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

    PubMed

    Tong, Chao; Peng, Chuan; Wang, Lianlian; Zhang, Li; Yang, Xiaotao; Xu, Ping; Li, Jinjin; Delplancke, Thibaut; Zhang, Hua; Qi, Hongbo

    2016-03-03

    Oral uptake of lycopene has been shown to be beneficial for preventing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the strong first-pass metabolism of lycopene influences its bioavailability and impedes its clinic application. In this study, we determined an intravenous (IV) administration dose of lycopene protects against myocardial infarction (MI) in a mouse model, and investigated the effects of acute lycopene administration on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and related signaling pathways during myocardial I/R. In this study, we established both in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model and in vivo regional myocardial I/R mouse model by ligating left anterior artery descending. TTC dual staining was used to assess I/R induced MI in the absence and presence of acute lycopene administration via tail vein injection. Lycopene treatment (1 μM) before reoxygenation significantly reduced cardiomyocyte death induced by H/R. Intravenous administration of lycopene to achieve 1 μM concentration in circulating blood significantly suppressed MI, ROS production, and JNK phosphorylation in the cardiac tissue of mice during in vivo regional I/R. Elevating circulating lycopene to 1 μM via IV injection protects against myocardial I/R injury through inhibition of ROS accumulation and consequent inflammation in mice.

  8. Perioperative Assessment of Myocardial Deformation

    PubMed Central

    Duncan, Andra E.; Alfirevic, Andrej; Sessler, Daniel I.; Popovic, Zoran B.; Thomas, James D.

    2014-01-01

    Evaluation of left ventricular performance improves risk assessment and guides anesthetic decisions. However, the most common echocardiographic measure of myocardial function, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), has important limitations. LVEF is limited by subjective interpretation which reduces accuracy and reproducibility, and LVEF assesses global function without characterizing regional myocardial abnormalities. An alternative objective echocardiographic measure of myocardial function is thus needed. Myocardial deformation analysis, which performs quantitative assessment of global and regional myocardial function, may be useful for perioperative care of surgical patients. Myocardial deformation analysis evaluates left ventricular mechanics by quantifying strain and strain rate. Strain describes percent change in myocardial length in the longitudinal (from base to apex) and circumferential (encircling the short-axis of the ventricle) direction and change in thickness in the radial direction. Segmental strain describes regional myocardial function. Strain is a negative number when the ventricle shortens longitudinally or circumferentially and is positive with radial thickening. Reference values for normal longitudinal strain from a recent meta-analysis using transthoracic echocardiography are (mean ± SD) −19.7 ± 0.4%, while radial and circumferential strain are 47.3 ± 1.9 and −23.3 ± 0.7%, respectively. The speed of myocardial deformation is also important and is characterized by strain rate. Longitudinal systolic strain rate in healthy subjects averages −1.10 ± 0.16 sec−1. Assessment of myocardial deformation requires consideration of both strain (change in deformation), which correlates with LVEF, and strain rate (speed of deformation), which correlates with rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt). Myocardial deformation analysis also evaluates ventricular relaxation, twist, and untwist, providing new and noninvasive methods to

  9. Reliability of the rapid bedside whole-blood quantitative cardiac troponin T assay in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

    PubMed

    Saadeddin, Salam; Habbab, Mohammed; Siddieg, Hisham; Fayomi, Mahmoud; Dafterdar, Rofaida

    2004-03-01

    A rapid bedside whole-blood quantitative cTnT assay has recently been developed. We evaluated the reliability of this test for the diagnosis of myocardial injury in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Whole-blood cTnT levels were measured in 96 patients with ACS using the Roche Cardiac Reader(R) rapid bedside assay device, and the results were compared with serum cTnT levels in the same patients measured by the Roche Elecsys(R) Immunoanalyzer. There were 50 patients with clinical evidence of myocardial injury and 56 without. From the qualitative point of view (reporting negative or positive tests), the results of the rapid bedside tests were identical to those obtained by the serum immunoanalyzer. From quantitative the point of view, the rapid bedside tests could not measure exact values below 0.1 ng/ml (reported negative) or above 2.0 ng/ml (reported >2.0). The measurements made by the rapid bedside tests within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 ng/ml correlated well with those of the serum immunoanalyzer (Cardiac Reader(R) cTnT=0.61, Elecsys(R) cTnT+0.12; r=0.88), but their mean values were significantly lower (1.20I0.71 vs. 1.41I1.03, p=0.0007). The rapid bedside cTnT assay correlates well with immunoanalyzer measurements between the values of 0.1 and 2.0 ng/ml. However, they tend to give significantly lower values and fail to give exact values below 0.1 and above 2.0 ng/ml, which may affect their performance in monitoring and managing patients with ACS, and limit their use in predicting outcome.

  10. Dark blood late enhancement imaging.

    PubMed

    Kellman, Peter; Xue, Hui; Olivieri, Laura J; Cross, Russell R; Grant, Elena K; Fontana, Marianna; Ugander, Martin; Moon, James C; Hansen, Michael S

    2016-11-07

    Bright blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging typically achieves excellent contrast between infarcted and normal myocardium. However, the contrast between the myocardial infarction (MI) and the blood pool is frequently suboptimal. A large fraction of infarctions caused by coronary artery disease are sub-endocardial and thus adjacent to the blood pool. It is not infrequent that sub-endocardial MIs are difficult to detect or clearly delineate. In this present work, an inversion recovery (IR) T2 preparation was combined with single shot steady state free precession imaging and respiratory motion corrected averaging to achieve dark blood LGE images with good signal to noise ratio while maintaining the desired spatial and temporal resolution. In this manner, imaging was conducted free-breathing, which has benefits for image quality, patient comfort, and clinical workflow in both adults and children. Furthermore, by using a phase sensitive inversion recovery reconstruction the blood signal may be made darker than the myocardium (i.e., negative signal values) thereby providing contrast between the blood and both the MI and remote myocardium. In the proposed approach, a single T1-map scout was used to measure the myocardial and blood T1 using a MOdified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) protocol and all protocol parameters were automatically calculated from these values within the sequence thereby simplifying the user interface. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) between MI and remote myocardium was measured in n = 30 subjects with subendocardial MI using both bright blood and dark blood protocols. The CNR for the dark blood protocol had a 13 % loss compared to the bright blood protocol. The CNR between the MI and blood pool was positive for all dark blood cases, and was negative in 63 % of the bright blood cases. The conspicuity of subendocardial fibrosis and MI was greatly improved by dark blood (DB) PSIR as well as the delineation of the

  11. Easy Absolute Values? Absolutely

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taylor, Sharon E.; Mittag, Kathleen Cage

    2015-01-01

    The authors teach a problem-solving course for preservice middle-grades education majors that includes concepts dealing with absolute-value computations, equations, and inequalities. Many of these students like mathematics and plan to teach it, so they are adept at symbolic manipulations. Getting them to think differently about a concept that they…

  12. [Effect and mechanism of icariin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model in diabetes rats].

    PubMed

    Hu, Yan-wu; Liu, Kai; Yan, Meng-tong

    2015-11-01

    To study the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of icariin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury ( MIRI) model in diabetes rats. The model of diabetic rats were induced by Streptozotocin (STZ), then the model of MIRI was established by ligating the reversible left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min, and then reperfusing for 120 min. totally 40 male SD were randomly divided into five groups: the control group (NS), the ischemia reperfusion group (NIR), the diabetes control group (MS), the diabetic ischemia reperfusion group (MIR) and the diabetic ischemia reperfusion with icariin group (MIRI). The changes in blood glucose, body weight and living status were observed; the enzyme activity of serum CK-MB, LDH, GSH-Px and myocardium SOD and the content MDA and NO in myocardium were detected; the myocardial pathological changes were observed by HE staining; the myocardial Caspase-3, the Bcl-2, Bax protein expressions were detected by Western blot. The result showed that the diabetes model was successfully replicated; myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was more serious in diabetes rats; icariin can increase NO, SOD, GSH-Px, Bcl-2 protein expression, decrease MDA formation, CK-MB and LDH activities and Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 protein expressions and myocardial damage. The result suggested that icariin may play a protective role against ischemia reperfusion myocardial injury in diabetes rats by resisting oxidative stress and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

  13. Direct Evidence that Myocardial Insulin Resistance following Myocardial Ischemia Contributes to Post-Ischemic Heart Failure

    PubMed Central

    Fu, Feng; Zhao, Kun; Li, Jia; Xu, Jie; Zhang, Yuan; Liu, Chengfeng; Yang, Weidong; Gao, Chao; Li, Jun; Zhang, Haifeng; Li, Yan; Cui, Qin; Wang, Haichang; Tao, Ling; Wang, Jing; Quon, Michael J; Gao, Feng

    2015-01-01

    A close link between heart failure (HF) and systemic insulin resistance has been well documented, whereas myocardial insulin resistance and its association with HF are inadequately investigated. This study aims to determine the role of myocardial insulin resistance in ischemic HF and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to myocardial infarction (MI) developed progressive left ventricular dilation with dysfunction and HF at 4 wk post-MI. Of note, myocardial insulin sensitivity was decreased as early as 1 wk after MI, which was accompanied by increased production of myocardial TNF-α. Overexpression of TNF-α in heart mimicked impaired insulin signaling and cardiac dysfunction leading to HF observed after MI. Treatment of rats with a specific TNF-α inhibitor improved myocardial insulin signaling post-MI. Insulin treatment given immediately following MI suppressed myocardial TNF-α production and improved cardiac insulin sensitivity and opposed cardiac dysfunction/remodeling. Moreover, tamoxifen-induced cardiomyocyte-specific insulin receptor knockout mice exhibited aggravated post-ischemic ventricular remodeling and dysfunction compared with controls. In conclusion, MI induces myocardial insulin resistance (without systemic insulin resistance) mediated partly by ischemia-induced myocardial TNF-α overproduction and promotes the development of HF. Our findings underscore the direct and essential role of myocardial insulin signaling in protection against post-ischemic HF. PMID:26659007

  14. Quantitative myocardial perfusion from static cardiac and dynamic arterial CT

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bindschadler, Michael; Branch, Kelley R.; Alessio, Adam M.

    2018-05-01

    Quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimation by dynamic contrast enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) requires multi-frame acquisition of contrast transit through the blood pool and myocardium to inform the arterial input and tissue response functions. Both the input and the tissue response functions for the entire myocardium are sampled with each acquisition. However, the long breath holds and frequent sampling can result in significant motion artifacts and relatively high radiation dose. To address these limitations, we propose and evaluate a new static cardiac and dynamic arterial (SCDA) quantitative MBF approach where (1) the input function is well sampled using either prediction from pre-scan timing bolus data or measured from dynamic thin slice ‘bolus tracking’ acquisitions, and (2) the whole-heart tissue response data is limited to one contrast enhanced CT acquisition. A perfusion model uses the dynamic arterial input function to generate a family of possible myocardial contrast enhancement curves corresponding to a range of MBF values. Combined with the timing of the single whole-heart acquisition, these curves generate a lookup table relating myocardial contrast enhancement to quantitative MBF. We tested the SCDA approach in 28 patients that underwent a full dynamic CT protocol both at rest and vasodilator stress conditions. Using measured input function plus single (enhanced CT only) or plus double (enhanced and contrast free baseline CT’s) myocardial acquisitions yielded MBF estimates with root mean square (RMS) error of 1.2 ml/min/g and 0.35 ml/min/g, and radiation dose reductions of 90% and 83%, respectively. The prediction of the input function based on timing bolus data and the static acquisition had an RMS error compared to the measured input function of 26.0% which led to MBF estimation errors greater than threefold higher than using the measured input function. SCDA presents a new, simplified approach for quantitative

  15. Omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels are reduced in whole blood of Italian patients with a recent myocardial infarction: the AGE-IM study.

    PubMed

    Marangoni, Franca; Novo, Giuseppina; Perna, Giampiero; Perrone Filardi, Pasquale; Pirelli, Salvatore; Ceroti, Marco; Querci, Andrea; Poli, Andrea

    2014-02-01

    The relationship between whole blood fatty acids and myocardial infarction (MI) risk has not been analyzed in detail, especially in Mediterranean countries. The AGE-IM (Acidi Grassi Essenziali e Infarto Miocardico) study was planned to examine the relationships between MI, whole blood fatty acids and the diet in an Italian cohort. 119 Patients with a recent MI and 103 control subjects were enrolled in the study. The whole blood fatty acid composition was determined; information on anthropometrics, biochemical parameters and blood pressure values were also obtained. Diet composition was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire from 86 cases and 72 controls. Total PUFA, omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA (as percentage of whole blood fatty acids) were significantly lower in MI patients than in matched controls, whereas saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were higher in cases. MI infarction risk significantly and steadily decreased with increasing levels of total PUFA (OR: 0.14) and of total omega-6 and omega-3 (OR: 0.15 and 0.37, respectively). No correlation was identified between dietary fats and MI risk or between whole blood fatty acid levels and dietary nutrients and fats. Percentage levels of total PUFA, total omega-3 PUFA and total omega-6 PUFA are lower in MI patients than in matched control subjects in the AGE-IM cohort. These data support a favorable association not only of whole blood percentage levels of total omega-3, but also of total omega-6, with cardiovascular risk. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Absolutely relative or relatively absolute: violations of value invariance in human decision making.

    PubMed

    Teodorescu, Andrei R; Moran, Rani; Usher, Marius

    2016-02-01

    Making decisions based on relative rather than absolute information processing is tied to choice optimality via the accumulation of evidence differences and to canonical neural processing via accumulation of evidence ratios. These theoretical frameworks predict invariance of decision latencies to absolute intensities that maintain differences and ratios, respectively. While information about the absolute values of the choice alternatives is not necessary for choosing the best alternative, it may nevertheless hold valuable information about the context of the decision. To test the sensitivity of human decision making to absolute values, we manipulated the intensities of brightness stimuli pairs while preserving either their differences or their ratios. Although asked to choose the brighter alternative relative to the other, participants responded faster to higher absolute values. Thus, our results provide empirical evidence for human sensitivity to task irrelevant absolute values indicating a hard-wired mechanism that precedes executive control. Computational investigations of several modelling architectures reveal two alternative accounts for this phenomenon, which combine absolute and relative processing. One account involves accumulation of differences with activation dependent processing noise and the other emerges from accumulation of absolute values subject to the temporal dynamics of lateral inhibition. The potential adaptive role of such choice mechanisms is discussed.

  17. Baicalin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction through iNOS, inflammation and oxidative stress in rat

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Huaguo; Xu, Yongfu; Wang, Jianzhong; Zhao, Wei; Ruan, Huihui

    2015-01-01

    Baicalin belongs to glucuronic acid glycosides and after hydrolysisbaicalein and glucuronic acid come into being. It has such effects as clearing heat and removing toxicity, anti-inflammation, choleresis, bringing high blood pressure down, diuresis, anti-allergic reaction and so on. In this study, we investigated whether baicalin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction and its mechanism. Rat model of acute myocardial infarction was induced by isoproterenol. Casein kinase (CK), the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and infarct size measurement were used to measure the protective effect of baicalin on isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction. iNOS protein expression in rat was analyzed using western blot analysis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and caspase-3 activation levels were explored using commercial ELISA kits. In the acute myocardial infarction experiment, baicalin effectively ameliorates the level of CK, CK-MB, LDH and cTnT, reduced infarct size in acute myocardial infarction rat model. Meanwhile, treatment with baicalin effectively decreased the iNOS protein expression, inflammatory factors and oxidative stresses in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. However, baicalin emerged that anti-apoptosis activity and suppressed the activation of caspase-3 in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. The data suggest that the protective effect of baicalin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction through iNOS, inflammation and oxidative stress in rat. PMID:26617721

  18. Dysfunctional nitric oxide signalling increases risk of myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Erdmann, Jeanette; Stark, Klaus; Esslinger, Ulrike B; Rumpf, Philipp Moritz; Koesling, Doris; de Wit, Cor; Kaiser, Frank J; Braunholz, Diana; Medack, Anja; Fischer, Marcus; Zimmermann, Martina E; Tennstedt, Stephanie; Graf, Elisabeth; Eck, Sebastian; Aherrahrou, Zouhair; Nahrstaedt, Janja; Willenborg, Christina; Bruse, Petra; Brænne, Ingrid; Nöthen, Markus M; Hofmann, Per; Braund, Peter S; Mergia, Evanthia; Reinhard, Wibke; Burgdorf, Christof; Schreiber, Stefan; Balmforth, Anthony J; Hall, Alistair S; Bertram, Lars; Steinhagen-Thiessen, Elisabeth; Li, Shu-Chen; März, Winfried; Reilly, Muredach; Kathiresan, Sekar; McPherson, Ruth; Walter, Ulrich; Ott, Jurg; Samani, Nilesh J; Strom, Tim M; Meitinger, Thomas; Hengstenberg, Christian; Schunkert, Heribert

    2013-12-19

    Myocardial infarction, a leading cause of death in the Western world, usually occurs when the fibrous cap overlying an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery ruptures. The resulting exposure of blood to the atherosclerotic material then triggers thrombus formation, which occludes the artery. The importance of genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is best documented by the predictive value of a positive family history. Next-generation sequencing in families with several affected individuals has revolutionized mutation identification. Here we report the segregation of two private, heterozygous mutations in two functionally related genes, GUCY1A3 (p.Leu163Phefs*24) and CCT7 (p.Ser525Leu), in an extended myocardial infarction family. GUCY1A3 encodes the α1 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase (α1-sGC), and CCT7 encodes CCTη, a member of the tailless complex polypeptide 1 ring complex, which, among other functions, stabilizes soluble guanylyl cyclase. After stimulation with nitric oxide, soluble guanylyl cyclase generates cGMP, which induces vasodilation and inhibits platelet activation. We demonstrate in vitro that mutations in both GUCY1A3 and CCT7 severely reduce α1-sGC as well as β1-sGC protein content, and impair soluble guanylyl cyclase activity. Moreover, platelets from digenic mutation carriers contained less soluble guanylyl cyclase protein and consequently displayed reduced nitric-oxide-induced cGMP formation. Mice deficient in α1-sGC protein displayed accelerated thrombus formation in the microcirculation after local trauma. Starting with a severely affected family, we have identified a link between impaired soluble-guanylyl-cyclase-dependent nitric oxide signalling and myocardial infarction risk, possibly through accelerated thrombus formation. Reversing this defect may provide a new therapeutic target for reducing the risk of myocardial infarction.

  19. Significant suppression of myocardial (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake using 24-h carbohydrate restriction and a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet.

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Yasuhiro; Kumita, Shin-ichiro; Fukushima, Yoshimitsu; Ishihara, Keiichi; Suda, Masaya; Sakurai, Minoru

    2013-11-01

    (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a useful tool for evaluating inflammation. Because, myocardial-FDG uptake occurs with diverse physiology, it should be suppressed during evaluation of myocardial inflammation by FDG-PET/CT. Diets inducing fat-based metabolism, such as a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (LCHF), are used in uptake-suppression protocols. However, a complete suppression of myocardial-FDG uptake has not been established. Hence, we assessed the efficacy of 24-h carbohydrate restriction along with an LCHF diet compared to that of the conventional protocol in suppressing myocardial-FDG uptake and also compared fat and glucose metabolism between these protocols. Fourteen healthy volunteers agreed to undergo >24-h carbohydrate restriction (glucose, <10g) and drank an LCHF beverage an hour before FDG administration. A scan performed under conventional fasting protocol served as the control. The maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, and left atrium lumen (blood pool), liver, and lung fields as background, were measured. Blood sugar, free fatty acids (FFAs), insulin, and triglyceride concentrations were measured just before FDG injection and compared between the 2 protocols. Global LV myocardial uptake was significantly lower with the diet-preparation protocol (SUVmax 1.31 [1.15-1.49] vs. 2.98 [1.76-6.43], p=0.001). Target-to-background ratios [myocardium-to-blood ratio (MBR), myocardium-to-lung ratio (MLR), and myocardium-to-liver ratio (MLvR)] were also significantly lower with the diet-preparation protocol [MBR: 0.75 (0.68-0.84) vs. 1.63 (0.98-4.09), p<0.001; MLR: 1.87 (1.53-2.47) vs. 4.54 (2.53-12.78), p=0.004; MLvR: 0.48 (0.44-0.56) vs. 1.11 (0.63-2.32), p=0.002]. Only insulin levels were significantly different between the subjects in each protocol group (11.3 [6.2-15.1] vs. 3.9 [2.9-6.2]). Carbohydrate restriction together with an LCHF supplement

  20. Pericardial fluid level of heart-type cytoplasmic fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is an indicator of severe myocardial ischemia.

    PubMed

    Tambara, Keiichi; Fujita, Masatoshi; Miyamoto, Shoichi; Doi, Kazuhiko; Nishimura, Kazunobu; Komeda, Masashi

    2004-02-01

    Heart-type cytoplasmic fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has been reported as a sensitive and specific marker for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Our hypothesis was that serum or pericardial fluid levels of H-FABP can reflect not only myocardial infarction but also myocardial ischemia. A total of 34 patients with unstable angina, who had anginal symptoms and/or ST-changes in ECG monitoring within 24 h before operation, were classified into group A (n=17), and those without these symptoms and changes into group B (n=17). Blood and pericardial fluid samples were obtained immediately after median sternotomy, and serum and pericardial fluid levels of creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin-T, and H-FABP were measured. Serum H-FABP levels were slightly elevated compared with their normal values in both groups. While they showed no difference between groups A and B (group A vs. B: 8.5+/-1.0 vs. 7.1+/-0.7 ng/ml, P=0.25), pericardial fluid levels of H-FABP were significantly higher in group A than in group B (16.3+/-2.0 vs. 9.6+/-1.0 ng/ml, P=0.0046). H-FABP showed a weak correlation between its serum levels and pericardial fluid levels (r=0.40). Pericardial fluid levels of H-FABP reflect myocardial ischemia occurring within 24 h of their measurements. H-FABP may be secreted into the interstitial space by increased permeability of the myocardial cell membrane associated with severe myocardial ischemia. Thus, pericardial fluid reflects pathophysiological conditions of cardiomyocytes more sensitively than circulating blood.

  1. Serial Sampling of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T May Not Be Required for Prediction of Acute Myocardial Infarction Diagnosis in Chest Pain Patients with Highly Abnormal Concentrations at Presentation.

    PubMed

    Mueller-Hennessen, Matthias; Mueller, Christian; Giannitsis, Evangelos; Biener, Moritz; Vafaie, Mehrshad; deFilippi, Christopher R; Christ, Michael; Ordóñez-Llanos, Jorge; Panteghini, Mauro; Plebani, Mario; Verschuren, Franck; Melki, Dina; French, John K; Christenson, Robert H; Body, Richard; McCord, James; Dinkel, Carina; Katus, Hugo A; Lindahl, Bertil

    2017-02-01

    Guidelines for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) recommend adding kinetic changes to the initial cardiac troponin (cTn) blood concentration to improve AMI diagnosis. We hypothesized that kinetic changes may not be required in patients presenting with highly abnormal cTn. Patients presenting with suspected AMI to the emergency department were enrolled in a prospective diagnostic study. We assessed the positive predictive value (PPV) of initial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) blood concentrations alone and in combination with kinetic changes for AMI. Predefined relative changes (δ change of ≥20%) and absolute changes (Δ change ≥9.2 ng/L) within different time intervals (1 h, 2 h, and 4-14 h after presentation) were assessed. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists. Among 1282 patients, 213 (16.6%) patients had a final diagnosis of AMI. For AMI prediction, PPVs increased from 48.8% for an initial hs-cTnT >14 ng/L to 87.2% for >60 ng/L, whereas PPVs remained unchanged for higher hs-cTnT concentrations at baseline (87.1% for both >80 ng/L and >100 ng/L). With addition of 20% relative Δ change, PPVs were not further improved in patients with baseline hs-cTnT >80 ng/L using the 1-h (84.0%) and 2-h (88.9%) intervals, and only minimally when extending the interval to 4-14 h (91.2% for >80 ng/L and 90.4% for >100 ng/L, respectively). Similar findings were observed when applying absolute changes. In chest pain patients with highly abnormal hs-cTnT concentrations at presentation, subsequent blood draws may not be required, as they do not provide incremental diagnostic value for prediction of AMI diagnosis. © 2016 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

  2. Challenges in secondary prevention after acute myocardial infarction: A call for action.

    PubMed

    Piepoli, Massimo F; Corrà, Ugo; Dendale, Paul; Frederix, Ines; Prescott, Eva; Schmid, Jean Paul; Cupples, Margaret; Deaton, Christi; Doherty, Patrick; Giannuzzi, Pantaleo; Graham, Ian; Hansen, Tina Birgitte; Jennings, Catriona; Landmesser, Ulf; Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Vrints, Christiaan; Walker, David; Bueno, Hector; Fitzsimons, Donna; Pelliccia, Antonio

    2017-06-01

    Worldwide, each year more than 7 million people experience myocardial infarction, in which one-year mortality rates are now in the range of 10%, but vary with patient characteristics. The consequences are even more dramatic: among patients who survive, 20% suffer a second cardiovascular event in the first year and approximately 50% of major coronary events occur in those with a previous hospital discharge diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease. The people behind these numbers spur this call for action. Prevention after myocardial infarction is crucial to reduce risk and suffering. Evidence-based interventions include optimal medical treatment with anti-platelets and statins, achievement of blood pressure, lipid and blood glucose targets, and appropriate lifestyle changes. The European Society of Cardiology and its constituent bodies are determined to embrace this challenge by developing a consensus document in which the existing gaps for secondary prevention strategies are reviewed. Effective interventions in relation to the patients, healthcare providers and healthcare systems are proposed and discussed. Finally, innovative strategies in hospital as well as in outpatient and long-term settings are endorsed.

  3. Bovine Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Reduces Inflammation After Induction of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice.

    PubMed

    Fiechter, Danielle; Kats, Suzanne; Brands, Ruud; van Middelaar, Ben; Pasterkamp, Gerard; de Kleijn, Dominique; Seinen, Willem

    2011-10-01

    There has been increasing evidence suggesting that lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin may be an important activator of the innate immune system after acute myocardial infarction. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase reduces inflammation in several endotoxin mediated diseases by dephosphorylation of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase on reducing inflammation after acute myocardial infarction. Just before permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery to induce acute myocardial infarction in Balb/c mice, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (bIAP) was administrated intravenously. After 4 hours, mice were sacrificed and the inflammatory response was assessed. Acute myocardial infarction induced the production of different cytokines, which were measured in blood. Treatment with bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase resulted in a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and the chymase mouse mast cell protease-1. No difference in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was observed between the control group and the bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase treated group. In a mouse model of permanent LAD coronary artery ligation, bIAP diminishes the pro-inflammatory responses but does not have an effect on the anti-inflammatory response in the acute phase after acute myocardial infarction.

  4. The Quantitative Relationship Between ISO 15197 Accuracy Criteria and Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) in the Evaluation of Analytical Performance of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Systems.

    PubMed

    Pardo, Scott; Simmons, David A

    2016-09-01

    The relationship between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accuracy criteria and mean absolute relative difference (MARD), 2 methods for assessing the accuracy of blood glucose meters, is complex. While lower MARD values are generally better than higher MARD values, it is not possible to define a particular MARD value that ensures a blood glucose meter will satisfy the ISO accuracy criteria. The MARD value that ensures passing the ISO accuracy test can be described only as a probabilistic range. In this work, a Bayesian model is presented to represent the relationship between ISO accuracy criteria and MARD. Under the assumptions made in this work, there is nearly a 100% chance of satisfying ISO 15197:2013 accuracy requirements if the MARD value is between 3.25% and 5.25%. © 2016 Diabetes Technology Society.

  5. Myocardial Reloading after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Alters Substrate Metabolism While Promoting Protein Synthesis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kajimoto, Masaki; Priddy, Colleen M.; Ledee, Dolena

    2013-08-19

    Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) unloads the heart providing a bridge to recovery in children after myocardial stunning. Mortality after ECMO remains high.Cardiac substrate and amino acid requirements upon weaning are unknown and may impact recovery. We assessed the hypothesis that ventricular reloading modulates both substrate entry into the citric acid cycle (CAC) and myocardial protein synthesis. Fourteen immature piglets (7.8-15.6 kg) were separated into 2 groups based on ventricular loading status: 8 hour-ECMO (UNLOAD) and post-wean from ECMO (RELOAD). We infused [2-13C]-pyruvate as an oxidative substrate and [13C6]-L-leucine, as a tracer of amino acid oxidation and protein synthesis into themore » coronary artery. RELOAD showed marked elevations in myocardial oxygen consumption above baseline and UNLOAD. Pyruvate uptake was markedly increased though RELOAD decreased pyruvate contribution to oxidative CAC metabolism.RELOAD also increased absolute concentrations of all CAC intermediates, while maintaining or increasing 13C-molar percent enrichment. RELOAD also significantly increased cardiac fractional protein synthesis rates by >70% over UNLOAD. Conclusions: RELOAD produced high energy metabolic requirement and rebound protein synthesis. Relative pyruvate decarboxylation decreased with RELOAD while promoting anaplerotic pyruvate carboxylation and amino acid incorporation into protein rather than to the CAC for oxidation. These perturbations may serve as therapeutic targets to improve contractile function after ECMO.« less

  6. Absolute myocardial flow quantification with (82)Rb PET/CT: comparison of different software packages and methods.

    PubMed

    Tahari, Abdel K; Lee, Andy; Rajaram, Mahadevan; Fukushima, Kenji; Lodge, Martin A; Lee, Benjamin C; Ficaro, Edward P; Nekolla, Stephan; Klein, Ran; deKemp, Robert A; Wahl, Richard L; Bengel, Frank M; Bravo, Paco E

    2014-01-01

    In clinical cardiac (82)Rb PET, globally impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) is a relevant marker for predicting short-term cardiovascular events. However, there are limited data on the impact of different software and methods for estimation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and CFR. Our objective was to compare quantitative results obtained from previously validated software tools. We retrospectively analyzed cardiac (82)Rb PET/CT data from 25 subjects (group 1, 62 ± 11 years) with low-to-intermediate probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) and 26 patients (group 2, 57 ± 10 years; P=0.07) with known CAD. Resting and vasodilator-stress MBF and CFR were derived using three software applications: (1) Corridor4DM (4DM) based on factor analysis (FA) and kinetic modeling, (2) 4DM based on region-of-interest (ROI) and kinetic modeling, (3) MunichHeart (MH), which uses a simplified ROI-based retention model approach, and (4) FlowQuant (FQ) based on ROI and compartmental modeling with constant distribution volume. Resting and stress MBF values (in milliliters per minute per gram) derived using the different methods were significantly different: using 4DM-FA, 4DM-ROI, FQ, and MH resting MBF values were 1.47 ± 0.59, 1.16 ± 0.51, 0.91 ± 0.39, and 0.90 ± 0.44, respectively (P<0.001), and stress MBF values were 3.05 ± 1.66, 2.26 ± 1.01, 1.90 ± 0.82, and 1.83 ± 0.81, respectively (P<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences among the CFR values (2.15 ± 1.08, 2.05 ± 0.83, 2.23 ± 0.89, and 2.21 ± 0.90, respectively; P=0.17). Regional MBF and CFR according to vascular territories showed similar results. Linear correlation coefficient for global CFR varied between 0.71 (MH vs. 4DM-ROI) and 0.90 (FQ vs. 4DM-ROI). Using a cut-off value of 2.0 for abnormal CFR, the agreement among the software programs ranged between 76 % (MH vs. FQ) and 90 % (FQ vs. 4DM-ROI). Interobserver agreement was in general excellent with all software packages

  7. Impact of Hypertension on Ventricular-Arterial Coupling and Regional Myocardial Work at Rest and during Isometric Exercise

    PubMed Central

    Kuznetsova, Tatiana; D’hooge, Jan; Kloch-Badelek, Malgorzata; Sakiewicz, Wojciech; Thijs, Lutgarde; Staessen, Jan A.

    2013-01-01

    Background To understand better the mechanism of left ventricular (LV) remodeling related to hypertension, it is important to evaluate LV function in relation to the changes in loading conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in conventional ventricular-arterial coupling indexes, LV strain, and a new index reflecting regional myocardial work assessed noninvasively at rest and during isometric exercise in a random sample including participants with normal blood pressure and those with hypertension. Methods A total of 148 participants (53.4% women; mean age, 52.0 years; 39.2% with hypertension) underwent simultaneous echocardiographic and arterial data acquisition at rest and during increased afterload (handgrip exercise). End-systolic pressure was determined from the carotid pulse wave. Arterial elastance (Ea) and LV elastance (Ees) were calculated as end-systolic pressure/stroke volume and end-systolic pressure/end-systolic volume. Doppler tissue imaging and two-dimensional speckle tracking were used to derive LV longitudinal strain. Regional myocardial work (ejection work density [EWD]) was the area of the pressure-strain loop during ejection. Results At rest, with adjustments applied, Ees (3.06 vs 3.71 mmHg/mL,P = .0003), Ea/Ees (0.54 vs 0.47,P=.002) and EWD (670 vs 802 Pa/m2, P = .0001) differed significantly between participants with normal blood pressure and those with hypertension. During handgrip exercise, Ea and Ea/Ees significantly increased (P < .0001) in both groups. Doppler tissue imaging and two-dimensional LV strain decreased in participants with hypertension (P ≤ .008). Only in subjects with normal blood pressure EWD significantly increased (+14.7%, P = .0009). Conclusions Although patients with hypertension compared with those with normal blood pressure have increased LV systolic stiffness and regional myocardial work to match arterial load at rest, they might have diminished cardiac reserve to increase myocardial performance

  8. Myocardial contusion in patients with blunt chest trauma as evaluated by thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bodin, L.; Rouby, J.J.; Viars, P.

    1988-07-01

    Fifty five patients suffering from blunt chest trauma were studied to assess the diagnosis of myocardial contusion using thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy. Thirty-eight patients had consistent scintigraphic defects and were considered to have a myocardial contusion. All patients with scintigraphic defects had paroxysmal arrhythmias and/or ECG abnormalities. Of 38 patients, 32 had localized ST-T segment abnormalities; 29, ST-T segment abnormalities suggesting involvement of the same cardiac area as scintigraphic defects; 21, echocardiographic abnormalities. Sixteen patients had segmental hypokinesia involving the same cardiac area as the scintigraphic defects. Fifteen patients had clinical signs suggestive of myocardial contusion and scintigraphic defects. Almostmore » 70 percent of patients with blunt chest trauma had scintigraphic defects related to areas of myocardial contusion. When thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy directly showed myocardial lesion, two-dimensional echocardiography and standard ECG detected related functional consequences of cardiac trauma.« less

  9. Experimental myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Raj; Joison, Julio; Gilmour, David P.; Molokhia, Farouk A.; Pegg, C. A. S.; Hood, William B.

    1971-01-01

    The hemodynamic effects of tachycardia induced by atrial pacing were investigated in left ventricular failure of acute and healing experimental myocardial infarction in 20 intact, conscious dogs. Myocardial infarction was produced by gradual inflation of a balloon cuff device implanted around the left anterior descending coronary artery 10-15 days prior to the study. 1 hr after acute myocardial infarction, atrial pacing at a rate of 180 beats/min decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 19 to 8 mm Hg and left atrial pressure from 17 to 12 mm Hg, without change in cardiac output. In the healing phase of myocardial infarction 1 wk later, atrial pacing decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 17 to 9 mm Hg and increased the cardiac output by 37%. This was accompanied by evidence of peripheral vasodilation. In two dogs with healing anterior wall myocardial infarction, left ventricular failure was enhanced by partial occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery. Both the dogs developed pulmonary edema. Pacing improved left ventricular performance and relieved pulmonary edema in both animals. In six animals propranolol was given after acute infarction, and left ventricular function deteriorated further. However the pacing-induced augmentation of cardiac function was unaltered and, hence, is not mediated by sympathetics. The results show that the spontaneous heart rate in left ventricular failure of experimental canine myocardial infarction may be less than optimal and that maximal cardiac function may be achieved at higher heart rates. Images PMID:4395910

  10. Changes of jugular venous blood temperature associated with measurements of cerebral blood flow using the transcerebral double-indicator dilution technique.

    PubMed

    Mielck, F; Bräuer, A; Radke, O; Hanekop, G; Loesch, S; Friedrich, M; Hilgers, R; Sonntag, H

    2004-04-01

    The transcerebral double-indicator dilution technique is a recently developed method to measure global cerebral blood flow at bedside. It is based on bolus injection of ice-cold indocyanine green dye and simultaneous recording of resulting thermo- and dye-dilution curves in the aorta and the jugular bulb. However, with this method 40 mL of ice-cold solution is administered as a bolus. Therefore, this prospective clinical study was performed to elucidate the effects of repeated administration of indicator on absolute blood temperature and on cerebral blood flow and metabolism. The investigation was performed in nine male patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Absolute blood temperature was measured in the jugular bulb and in the aorta before and after repeated measurements using the transcerebral double-indicator dilution technique. During the investigated time course, the blood temperature in the jugular bulb, compared to the aorta, was significantly higher with a mean difference of 0.21 degrees C. The administration of an ice-cold bolus reduced the mean blood temperature by 0.06 degrees C in the jugular bulb as well as in the aorta. After the transcerebral double-indicator dilution measurements a temperature recovery to baseline conditions was not observed during the investigated time period. Cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism did not change during the investigated time period. Repeated measurements with the transcerebral double-indicator dilution technique do not affect absolute jugular bulb blood temperatures negatively. Global cerebral blood flow and metabolism measurements remain unaltered. However, accuracy and resolution of this technique is not high enough to detect the effect of minor changes of physiological variables.

  11. Absolute biological needs.

    PubMed

    McLeod, Stephen

    2014-07-01

    Absolute needs (as against instrumental needs) are independent of the ends, goals and purposes of personal agents. Against the view that the only needs are instrumental needs, David Wiggins and Garrett Thomson have defended absolute needs on the grounds that the verb 'need' has instrumental and absolute senses. While remaining neutral about it, this article does not adopt that approach. Instead, it suggests that there are absolute biological needs. The absolute nature of these needs is defended by appeal to: their objectivity (as against mind-dependence); the universality of the phenomenon of needing across the plant and animal kingdoms; the impossibility that biological needs depend wholly upon the exercise of the abilities characteristic of personal agency; the contention that the possession of biological needs is prior to the possession of the abilities characteristic of personal agency. Finally, three philosophical usages of 'normative' are distinguished. On two of these, to describe a phenomenon or claim as 'normative' is to describe it as value-dependent. A description of a phenomenon or claim as 'normative' in the third sense does not entail such value-dependency, though it leaves open the possibility that value depends upon the phenomenon or upon the truth of the claim. It is argued that while survival needs (or claims about them) may well be normative in this third sense, they are normative in neither of the first two. Thus, the idea of absolute need is not inherently normative in either of the first two senses. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. RNA interference targeting the ACE gene reduced blood pressure and improved myocardial remodelling in SHRs.

    PubMed

    He, Junhua; Bian, Yunfei; Gao, Fen; Li, Maolian; Qiu, Ling; Wu, Weidong; Zhou, Hua; Liu, Gaizhen; Xiao, Chuanshi

    2009-02-01

    The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects on blood pressure and myocardial hypertrophy in SHRs (spontaneously hypertensive rats) of RNAi (RNA interference) targeting ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). SHRs were treated with normal saline as vehicle controls, with Ad5-EGFP as vector controls, and with recombinant adenoviral vectors Ad5-EGFP-ACE-shRNA, carrying shRNA (small hairpin RNA) for ACE as ACE-RNAi. WKY (Wistar-Kyoto) rats were used as normotensive controls treated with normal saline. The systolic blood pressure of the caudal artery was recorded. Serum levels of ACE and AngII (angiotensin II) were determined using ELISA. ACE mRNA and protein levels were determined in aorta, myocardium, kidney and lung. On day 32 of the experiment, the heart was pathologically examined. The ratios of heart weight/body weight and left ventricular weight/body weight were calculated. The serum concentration of ACE was lower in ACE-RNAi rats (16.37+/-3.90 ng/ml) compared with vehicle controls and vector controls (48.26+/-1.50 ng/ml and 46.67+/-2.82 ng/ml respectively; both P<0.05), but comparable between ACE-RNAi rats and WKY rats (14.88+/-3.15 ng/ml; P>0.05). The serum concentration of AngII was also significantly lower in ACE-RNAi rats (18.24+/-3.69 pg/ml) compared with vehicle controls and vector controls (46.21+/-5.06 pg/ml and 44.93+/-4.12 pg/ml respectively; both P<0.05), but comparable between ACE-RNAi rats and WKY rats (16.06+/-3.11 pg/ml; P>0.05). The expression of ACE mRNA and ACE protein were significantly reduced in the myocardium, aorta, kidney and lung in ACE-RNAi rats compared with that in vehicle controls and in vector controls (all P<0.05). ACE-RNAi treatment resulted in a reduction in systolic blood pressure by 22+/-3 mmHg and the ACE-RNAi-induced reduction lasted for more than 14 days. In contrast, blood pressure was continuously increased in the vehicle controls as well as in the vector controls. The ratios of heart weight/body weight

  13. CXCR4 expression is associated with time-course permanent and temporary myocardial infarction in rats.

    PubMed

    Kiani, Ali Asghar; Babaei, Fereshteh; Sedighi, Mehrnoosh; Soleimani, Azam; Ahmadi, Kolsum; Shahrokhi, Somayeh; Anbari, Khatereh; Nazari, Afshin

    2017-06-01

    Experimental myocardial infarction triggers secretion of Stromal cell-derived factor1 and lead to increase in the expression of its receptor "CXCR4" on the surface of various cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of CXCR4 in peripheral blood cells following time-course permanent and temporary ischemia in rats. Fourteen male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of seven and were placed under permanent and transient ischemia. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at different time points, RNAs extracted and applied to qRT-PCR analysis of the CXCR4 gene. Based on repeated measures analysis of variance, the differences in the expression levels of the gene in each of the groups were statistically significant over time (the effect of time) ( P <0.001). Additionally, the difference in gene expression between the two groups was statistically significant (the effect of group), such that at all times, the expression levels of the gene were significantly higher in the permanent ischemia than in the transient ischemia group ( P <0.001). Moreover, the interactive effect of time-group on gene expression was statistically significant ( P <0.001). CXCR4 is modulated in an induced ischemia context implying a possible association with myocardial infarction. Checking of CXCR4 expression in the ischemic changes shows that damage to the heart tissue trigger the secretion of inflammatory chemokine SDF, Followed by it CXCR4 expression in blood cells. These observations suggest that changes in the expression of CXCR4 may be considered a valuable marker for monitoring myocardial infarction.

  14. Office blood pressure or ambulatory blood pressure for the prediction of cardiovascular events.

    PubMed

    Mortensen, Rikke Nørmark; Gerds, Thomas Alexander; Jeppesen, Jørgen Lykke; Torp-Pedersen, Christian

    2017-11-21

    To determine the added value of (i) 24-h ambulatory blood pressure relative to office blood pressure and (ii) night-time ambulatory blood pressure relative to daytime ambulatory blood pressure for 10-year person-specific absolute risks of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. A total of 7927 participants were included from the International Database on Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in relation to Cardiovascular Outcomes. We used cause-specific Cox regression to predict 10-year person-specific absolute risks of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Discrimination of 10-year outcomes was assessed by time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). No differences in predicted risks were observed when comparing office blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure. The median difference in 10-year risks (1st; 3rd quartile) was -0.01% (-0.3%; 0.1%) for cardiovascular mortality and -0.1% (-1.1%; 0.5%) for cardiovascular events. The difference in AUC (95% confidence interval) was 0.65% (0.22-1.08%) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.33% (0.83-1.84%) for cardiovascular events. Comparing daytime and night-time blood pressure, the median difference in 10-year risks was 0.002% (-0.1%; 0.1%) for cardiovascular mortality and -0.01% (-0.5%; 0.2%) for cardiovascular events. The difference in AUC was 0.10% (-0.08 to 0.29%) for cardiovascular mortality and 0.15% (-0.06 to 0.35%) for cardiovascular events. Ten-year predictions obtained from ambulatory blood pressure are similar to predictions from office blood pressure. Night-time blood pressure does not improve 10-year predictions obtained from daytime measurements. For an otherwise healthy population sufficient prognostic accuracy of cardiovascular risks can be achieved with office blood pressure. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  15. [Analysis of mortality and convergence tendencies in inpatient care of stroke and myocardial infarction].

    PubMed

    Rath, T; Büscher, G; Schwartze, D; Drabik, A; Bokern, E; Lüngen, M

    2010-09-01

    An increase in the convergence of medical services toward specialized hospitals with high case numbers as well as the effects on quality of care are often assumed to be the result of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs; case-based lump-sum reimbursement). Estimates of the extent to which these effects occur in emergency diagnoses are not available. Claims data relating to approximately 23.6 million insured within the period 2004-2007 (inclusive) were analyzed. All cases with the main diagnosis of stroke (ICD-10: I63 and I64) and myocardial infarction (ICD-10: I21) were included in the study. Increasing case numbers could be observed for all entities within the period studied (myocardial infarction: +12.71%; stroke: +1.73%). The absolute increase in case numbers seems to affect those hospitals with case numbers >100 per year, whereas case numbers of hospital groups including hospitals with low case numbers per year remain unchanged or grow slower. No absolute trend in mortality could be seen. However, a disproportionate rate of mortality in hospitals with low case numbers per year for both diagnoses was observed. The convergence of emergency treatment in a few specialized centers has not yet been accelerated by the implementation of DRGs. Essentially, relative changes can be seen due to case number increases in large centers rather than because of service cutbacks and shifts from smaller hospitals. The reason for this could be the need to maintain emergency care in rural regions, while specialized centers are increasingly built in urban areas.

  16. Noninvasive PET quantitative myocardial blood flow with regadenoson for assessing cardiac allograft vasculopathy in orthotopic heart transplantation patients

    PubMed Central

    Pampaloni, Miguel Hernandez; Shrestha, Uttam M.; Sciammarella, Maria; Seo, Youngho; Gullberg, Grant T.; Botvinick, Elias H.

    2016-01-01

    Background Risk stratification and early detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is essential in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) patients. This study assesses the changes in myocardial blood flow (MBF) noninvasively in OHT patients using quantitative cardiac PET with regadenoson. Methods Twelve patients (Group 1) (8 males, 4 females, mean age 55 ± 7 y) with no history of post OHT myocardial ischemia were enrolled after 5.4± 2.0 y after OHT. Fifteen patients (Group 2) (9 males, 6 females, mean age 71 ± 9 y) with intermediate pretest probability but not documented evidence for coronary artery disease (CAD) were also included to serve as control. Global and regional MBFs were assessed using dynamic 13N-NH3 PET at rest and during regadenoson-induced hyperemia. The coronary flow reserve (CFR) was also calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to resting MBF. Results Mean regadenoson-induced rate-pressure products were similar in both groups, while there was an increase in resting rate-pressure product in Group 1 patients. Both mean and median values of resting MBF were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 patients (1.33±0.31 and 1.01±0.21 mL/min/g for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, P<.001), while mean hyperemic MBF values were similar in both Groups (2.68±0.84 and 2.64±0.94 mL/min/g, P=NS) but median hyperemic MBF values were lower in Group 1 than Group 2 patients (2.0 vs. 2.60 mL/min/g, P=.018). Both mean and median CFR values demonstrated a significant reduction toward the Group 1 compared to Group 2 patients (2.07±0.74 vs. 2.63±0.48, P = .025). Conclusions This study suggests that the MBF in OHT patients may be abnormal at resting state with diminished CFR. This hints that the epicardial and microvascular coronary subsystem may be exacerbated after OHT leading to the gradual progression of CAV. PMID:28138813

  17. Intermediate coronary revascularization using the Deltastream blood pump: results from an experimental study.

    PubMed

    Litmathe, J; Hansen, E; Feindt, P; Kurt, M; Boeken, U; Gams, E

    2009-01-01

    Myocardial revascularization using a complete heart-lung machine may involve many problems, as do complete off-pump attempts. Thus, it was the aim of this study to evaluate the effects of intermediate on-pump/off-pump myocardial revascularization using the miniaturized Deltastream blood pump, on ischemia and hemolysis, in comparison with standard myocardial revascularization. In a group of 8 mini-pigs, combined on-pump/off-pump myocardial revascularization was performed using the Deltastream blood pump as beating-heart support for the on-pump part of the operation (group A). Seven other animals served as controls and underwent standard myocardial revascularization with the same device as integrated pump of a complete heart-lung machine (group B). Blood samples for blood gas metabolism, creatine kinase (CK), troponin I, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) were taken before and after the entire operation. Comparing the baseline values, the increase of CK was more pronounced in group B than in group A (176.4-/+41.2 to 279.7-/+29 U/L vs. 274-/+142.7 to 288.1-/+118.6 U/L, respectively; p=0.0006). Increase of troponin I was significantly higher in group B than in group A (1-/+0.3 to 2.9-/+1 ng/mL vs. 1.1-/+0.9 to 3-/+3.8 ng/mL, respectively; p=0.002). LDH increase was also more pronounced in group B (231.7-/+54.3 to 299.9-/+39.8 U/L vs. 274.9-/+59.7 to 263.8-/+57.9 U/L, respectively; p=0.01). HBDH values increased significantly in group B after the operation (group A: 215.9-/+34.7 to 200-/+39.2 U/L vs. group B: 195.4-/+41.7 to 274.9-/+51.6 U/L; p=0.02). Hemodynamic measures and LDH values under luxation (group A: 1.9-/+0.6 U/L; B: 3.5-/+1 U/L,p=0.001) were also superior in the study group. The current set-up might be superior to conventional extracorporeal circulation and thus be an alternative for high-risk candidates to avoid the adverse events of a complete heart-lung machine, when they are scheduled for complete myocardial

  18. Wavelength-modulated differential photoacoustic radar imager (WM-DPARI): accurate monitoring of absolute hemoglobin oxygen saturation

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Sung Soo Sean; Lashkari, Bahman; Dovlo, Edem; Mandelis, Andreas

    2016-01-01

    Accurate monitoring of blood oxy-saturation level (SO2) in human breast tissues is clinically important for predicting and evaluating possible tumor growth at the site. In this work, four different non-invasive frequency-domain photoacoustic (PA) imaging modalities were compared for their absolute SO2 characterization capability using an in-vitro sheep blood circulation system. Among different PA modes, a new WM-DPAR imaging modality could estimate the SO2 with great accuracy when compared to a commercial blood gas analyzer. The developed WM-DPARI theory was further validated by constructing SO2 tomographic images of a blood-containing plastisol phantom. PMID:27446691

  19. Milrinone and levosimendan during porcine myocardial ischemia -- no effects on calcium overload and metabolism.

    PubMed

    Axelsson, B; Johansson, G; Abrahamsson, P; Gupta, A; Tydén, H; Wouters, P; Haney, M

    2013-07-01

    Although inotropic stimulation is considered harmful in the presence of myocardial ischaemia, both calcium sensitisers and phosphodiesterase inhibitors may offer cardioprotection. We hypothesise that these cardioprotective effects are related to an acute alteration of myocardial metabolism. We studied in vivo effects of milrinone and levosimendan on calcium overload and ischaemic markers using left ventricular microdialysis in pigs with acute myocardial ischaemia. Anaesthetised juvenile pigs, average weight 36 kg, were randomised to one of three intravenous treatment groups: milrinone 50 μg/kg bolus plus infusion 0.5 μg/kg/min (n = 7), levosimendan 24 μg/kg plus infusion 0.2 μg/kg/min (n = 7), or placebo (n = 6) for 60 min prior to and during a 45 min acute regional coronary occlusion. Systemic and myocardial haemodynamics were assessed, and microdialysis was performed with catheters positioned in the left ventricular wall. (45) Ca(2+) was included in the microperfusate in order to assess local calcium uptake into myocardial cells. The microdialysate was analysed for glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and for (45) Ca(2+) recovery. During ischaemia, there were no differences in microdialysate-measured parameters between control animals and milrinone- or levosimendan-treated groups. In the pre-ischaemic period, arterial blood pressure decreased in all groups while myocardial oxygen consumption remained stable. These findings reject the hypothesis of an immediate energy-conserving effect of milrinone and levosimendan during acute myocardial ischaemia. On the other hand, the data show that inotropic support with milrinone and levosimendan does not worsen the metabolic parameters that were measured in the ischaemic myocardium. © 2013 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. Effect of beam hardening on transmural myocardial perfusion quantification in myocardial CT imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fahmi, Rachid; Eck, Brendan L.; Levi, Jacob; Fares, Anas; Wu, Hao; Vembar, Mani; Dhanantwari, Amar; Bezerra, Hiram G.; Wilson, David L.

    2016-03-01

    The detection of subendocardial ischemia exhibiting an abnormal transmural perfusion gradient (TPG) may help identify ischemic conditions due to micro-vascular dysfunction. We evaluated the effect of beam hardening (BH) artifacts on TPG quantification using myocardial CT perfusion (CTP). We used a prototype spectral detector CT scanner (Philips Healthcare) to acquire dynamic myocardial CTP scans in a porcine ischemia model with partial occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery guided by pressure wire-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements. Conventional 120 kVp and 70 keV projection-based mono-energetic images were reconstructed from the same projection data and used to compute myocardial blood flow (MBF) using the Johnson-Wilson model. Under moderate LAD occlusion (FFR~0.7), we used three 5 mm short axis slices and divided the myocardium into three LAD segments and three remote segments. For each slice and each segment, we characterized TPG as the mean "endo-to-epi" transmural flow ratio (TFR). BH-induced hypoenhancement on the ischemic anterior wall at 120 kVp resulted in significantly lower mean TFR value as compared to the 70 keV TFR value (0.29+/-0.01 vs. 0.55+/-0.01 p<1e-05). No significant difference was measured between 120 kVp and 70 keV mean TFR values on segments moderately affected or unaffected by BH. In the entire ischemic LAD territory, 120 kVp mean endocardial flow was significantly reduced as compared to mean epicardial flow (15.80+/-10.98 vs. 40.85+/-23.44 ml/min/100g; p<1e-04). At 70 keV, BH was effectively minimized resulting in mean endocardial MBF of 40.85+/-15.3407 ml/min/100g vs. 74.09+/-5.07 ml/min/100g (p=0.0054) in the epicardium. We also found that BH artifact in the conventional 120 kVp images resulted in falsely reduced MBF measurements even under non-ischemic conditions.

  1. Remote ischaemic conditioning before hospital admission, as a complement to angioplasty, and effect on myocardial salvage in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomised trial.

    PubMed

    Bøtker, Hans Erik; Kharbanda, Rajesh; Schmidt, Michael R; Bøttcher, Morten; Kaltoft, Anne K; Terkelsen, Christian J; Munk, Kim; Andersen, Niels H; Hansen, Troels M; Trautner, Sven; Lassen, Jens Flensted; Christiansen, Evald Høj; Krusell, Lars R; Kristensen, Steen D; Thuesen, Leif; Nielsen, Søren S; Rehling, Michael; Sørensen, Henrik Toft; Redington, Andrew N; Nielsen, Torsten T

    2010-02-27

    Remote ischaemic preconditioning attenuates cardiac injury at elective surgery and angioplasty. We tested the hypothesis that remote ischaemic conditioning during evolving ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and done before primary percutaneous coronary intervention, increases myocardial salvage. 333 consecutive adult patients with a suspected first acute myocardial infarction were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by computerised block randomisation to receive primary percutaneous coronary intervention with (n=166 patients) versus without (n=167) remote conditioning (intermittent arm ischaemia through four cycles of 5-min inflation and 5-min deflation of a blood-pressure cuff). Allocation was concealed with opaque sealed envelopes. Patients received remote conditioning during transport to hospital, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in hospital. The primary endpoint was myocardial salvage index at 30 days after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, measured by myocardial perfusion imaging as the proportion of the area at risk salvaged by treatment; analysis was per protocol. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00435266. 82 patients were excluded on arrival at hospital because they did not meet inclusion criteria, 32 were lost to follow-up, and 77 did not complete the follow-up with data for salvage index. Median salvage index was 0.75 (IQR 0.50-0.93, n=73) in the remote conditioning group versus 0.55 (0.35-0.88, n=69) in the control group, with median difference of 0.10 (95% CI 0.01-0.22; p=0.0333); mean salvage index was 0.69 (SD 0.27) versus 0.57 (0.26), with mean difference of 0.12 (95% CI 0.01-0.21; p=0.0333). Major adverse coronary events were death (n=3 per group), reinfarction (n=1 per group), and heart failure (n=3 per group). Remote ischaemic conditioning before hospital admission increases myocardial salvage, and has a favourable safety profile. Our findings merit a larger trial to establish the effect of remote

  2. The absolute counting of red cell-derived microparticles with red cell bead by flow rate based assay.

    PubMed

    Nantakomol, Duangdao; Imwong, Malika; Soontarawirat, Ingfar; Kotjanya, Duangporn; Khakhai, Chulalak; Ohashi, Jun; Nuchnoi, Pornlada

    2009-05-01

    Activation of red blood cell is associated with the formation of red cell-derived microparticles (RMPs). Analysis of circulating RMPs is becoming more refined and clinically useful. A quantitative Trucount tube method is the conventional method uses for quantitating RMPs. In this study, we validated a quantitative method called "flow rate based assay using red cell bead (FCB)" to measure circulating RMPs in the peripheral blood of healthy subjects. Citrated blood samples collected from 30 cases of healthy subjects were determined the RMPs count by using double labeling of annexin V-FITC and anti-glycophorin A-PE. The absolute RMPs numbers were measured by FCB, and the results were compared with the Trucount or with flow rate based calibration (FR). Statistical correlation and agreement were analyzed using linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. There was no significant difference in the absolute number of RMPs quantitated by FCB when compared with those two reference methods including the Trucount tube and FR method. The absolute RMPs count obtained from FCB method was highly correlated with those obtained from Trucount tube (r(2) = 0.98, mean bias 4 cell/microl, limit of agreement [LOA] -20.3 to 28.3 cell/microl), and FR method (r(2) = 1, mean bias 10.3 cell/microl, and LOA -5.5 to 26.2 cell/microl). This study demonstrates that FCB is suitable and more affordable for RMPs quantitation in the clinical samples. This method is a low cost and interchangeable to latex bead-based method for generating the absolute counts in the resource-limited areas. (c) 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society.

  3. Diurnal variation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion tolerance; mediation by the circadian clock within the cardiomyocyte

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Circadian rhythms in cardiovascular physiology (e.g. blood pressure and heart rate) and pathophysiology (e.g. myocardial infarction (MI)) exist. Humans exhibit a marked increase in MI frequency during the early hours of the morning. However, MIs occurring during the evening are more likely to result...

  4. Bovine Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Reduces Inflammation After Induction of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Fiechter, Danielle; Kats, Suzanne; Brands, Ruud; van Middelaar, Ben; Pasterkamp, Gerard; de Kleijn, Dominique; Seinen, Willem

    2011-01-01

    Background There has been increasing evidence suggesting that lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin may be an important activator of the innate immune system after acute myocardial infarction. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase reduces inflammation in several endotoxin mediated diseases by dephosphorylation of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase on reducing inflammation after acute myocardial infarction. Methods Just before permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery to induce acute myocardial infarction in Balb/c mice, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (bIAP) was administrated intravenously. After 4 hours, mice were sacrificed and the inflammatory response was assessed. Acute myocardial infarction induced the production of different cytokines, which were measured in blood. Results Treatment with bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase resulted in a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and the chymase mouse mast cell protease-1. No difference in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was observed between the control group and the bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase treated group. Conclusion In a mouse model of permanent LAD coronary artery ligation, bIAP diminishes the pro-inflammatory responses but does not have an effect on the anti-inflammatory response in the acute phase after acute myocardial infarction. PMID:28357012

  5. Positron Emission Tomography-Determined Hyperemic Flow, Myocardial Flow Reserve, and Flow Gradient—Quo Vadis?

    PubMed Central

    Leucker, Thorsten M.; Valenta, Ines; Schindler, Thomas Hellmut

    2017-01-01

    Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) applied with positron-emitting flow tracers such as 13N-ammonia and 82Rubidium enables the quantification of both myocardial perfusion and myocardial blood flow (MBF) in milliliters per gram per minute for coronary artery disease (CAD) detection and characterization. The detection of a regional myocardial perfusion defect during vasomotor stress commonly identifies the culprit lesion or most severe epicardial narrowing, whereas adding regional hyperemic MBFs, myocardial flow reserve (MFR), and/or longitudinal flow decrease may also signify less severe but flow-limiting stenosis in multivessel CAD. The addition of regional hyperemic flow parameters, therefore, may afford a comprehensive identification and characterization of flow-limiting effects of multivessel CAD. The non-specific origin of decreases in hyperemic MBFs and MFR, however, prompts an evaluation and interpretation of regional flow in the appropriate context with the presence of obstructive CAD. Conversely, initial results of the assessment of a longitudinal hyperemic flow gradient suggest this novel flow parameter to be specifically related to increases in CAD caused epicardial resistance. The concurrent assessment of myocardial perfusion and several hyperemic flow parameters with PET/CT may indeed open novel avenues of precision medicine to guide coronary revascularization procedures that may potentially lead to a further improvement in cardiovascular outcomes in CAD patients. PMID:28770213

  6. Sex and age differences in the association of heart rate responses to adenosine and myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging.

    PubMed

    Gebhard, Catherine; Messerli, Michael; Lohmann, Christine; Treyer, Valerie; Bengs, Susan; Benz, Dominik C; Giannopoulos, Andreas A; Kudura, Ken; von Felten, Elia; Schwyzer, Moritz; Gaemperli, Oliver; Gräni, Christoph; Pazhenkottil, Aju P; Buechel, Ronny R; Kaufmann, Philipp A

    2018-04-23

    In light of growing cardiovascular mortality rates observed in young women, sexual dimorphism in cardiac autonomic nervous control is gaining increasing attention. Heart rate responses to adenosine mirror autonomic activity and may carry important prognostic information. Hemodynamic changes during adenosine stress were retrospectively analysed in a propensity-matched cohort of 1932 consecutive patients undergoing myocardial perfusion single-photon-emission computed tomography (MPI-SPECT). Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased during adenosine infusion (P < 0.001). The increase in SBP and HR (heart rate reserve, HRR), was significantly more pronounced in women compared with men (P < 0.05). Patients ≤ 55 years had a higher HRR compared with patients > 55 years (46.8% vs 37.5%, P = 0.015). Women ≤ 55 years with a reversible perfusion defect on MPI-SPECT exhibited the highest HRR (89.2%), while age-matched men showed a blunted HR response to adenosine (26.4%, P = 0.01). Accordingly, age and an interaction term of female sex and increased HRR were identified as significant predictors of myocardial ischemia in a multiple regression analysis (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02-1.9, P = 0.038). HRR during adenosine infusion is influenced by age and sex. Our data suggest a stronger, sympathetic-driven, hemodynamic response to adenosine in younger women with myocardial ischemia.

  7. Evaluation of first-draw whole blood, point-of-care cardiac markers in the context of the universal definition of myocardial infarction: a comparison of a multimarker panel to troponin alone and to testing in the central laboratory.

    PubMed

    Lee-Lewandrowski, Elizabeth; Januzzi, James L; Grisson, Ricky; Mohammed, Asim A; Lewandrowski, Grant; Lewandrowski, Kent

    2011-04-01

    Previous studies evaluating point-of-care testing (POCT) for cardiac biomarkers did not use current recommendations for troponin cutoff values or recognize the recent universal definition of acute myocardial infarction. Traditionally, achieving optimal sensitivity for the detection of myocardial injury on initial presentation required combining cardiac troponin and/or creatine kinase isoenzyme MB with an early marker, usually myoglobin. In recent years, the performance of central laboratory combining cardiac troponin assays has improved significantly, potentially obviating the need for a multimarker panel to achieve optimum sensitivity. To compare 2 commonly used POCT strategies to a fourth generation, central laboratory cardiac troponin T assay on first-draw specimens from patients being evaluated for acute myocardial infarction in the emergency department. The 2 strategies included a traditional POCT multimarker panel and a newer POCT method using cardiac troponin I alone. Blood specimens from 204 patients presenting to the emergency department with signs and/or symptoms of myocardial ischemia were measured on the 2 POCT systems and by a central laboratory method. The diagnosis for each patient was determined by retrospective chart review. The cardiac troponin T assasy alone was more sensitive for acute myocardial infarction than the multimarker POCT panel with equal or better specificity. When compared with a POCT troponin I, the cardiac troponin T was also more sensitive, but this difference was not significant. The POCT troponin I alone also had the same sensitivity as the multimarker panel. Testing for combining cardiac troponin alone using newer, commercially available, central laboratory or POCT assays performed with equal or greater sensitivity to acute myocardial infarction as the older, traditional, multimarker panel. In the near future, high-sensitivity, central laboratory troponins will be available for routine clinical use. As a result, the quality

  8. Influence of myocardial oxygen demand on the coronary vascular response to arterial blood gas changes in humans.

    PubMed

    Vermeulen, Tyler Dennis; Boulet, Lindsey M; Stembridge, Mike; Williams, Alexandra Mackenzie; Anholm, James D; Subedi, Prajan; Gasho, Chris; Ainslie, Philip N; Feigl, Eric O; Foster, Glen Edward

    2018-03-30

    It remains unclear if the human coronary vasculature is inherently sensitive to changes in arterial PO 2 and PCO 2 or if coronary vascular responses are the result of concomitant increases in myocardial O 2 consumption/demand (MVO 2 ). We hypothesized that the coronary vascular response to PO 2 and PCO 2 would be attenuated in healthy men when MVO 2 was attenuated with β 1 -adrenergic receptor blockade. Healthy men (n=11; age: 25 {plus minus} 1 years) received intravenous esmolol (β 1 -adrenergic receptor antagonist) or volume-matched saline in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, and were exposed to poikilocapnic hypoxia, isocapnic hypoxia, and hypercapnic hypoxia. Measurements made at baseline and following 5-min of steady state at each gas manipulation included left anterior descending coronary blood velocity (LAD V ; Doppler echocardiography), heart rate and arterial blood pressure. LAD V values at the end of each hypoxic condition were compared between esmolol and placebo. Rate pressure product (RPP) and left-ventricular mechanical energy (ME LV ) were calculated as indices of MVO 2 . All gas manipulations augmented RPP, ME LV , and LAD V but only RPP and ME LV were attenuated (4-18%) following β 1 -adrenergic receptor blockade (P<0.05). Despite attenuated RPP and MELV responses, β 1 -adrenergic receptor blockade did not attenuate the mean LADV vasodilatory response when compared to placebo during poikilocapnic hypoxia (29.4{plus minus}2.2 vs. 27.3{plus minus}1.6 cm/s) and isocapnic hypoxia (29.5{plus minus}1.5 vs. 30.3{plus minus}2.2 cm/s). Hypercapnic hypoxia elicited a feed-forward coronary dilation that was blocked by β 1 -adrenergic receptor blockade. These results indicate a direct influence of arterial PO 2 on coronary vascular regulation that is independent of MVO 2 .

  9. Abnormal myocardial fluid retention as an early manifestation of ischemic injury.

    PubMed Central

    Willerson, J. T.; Scales, F.; Mukherjee, A.; Platt, M.; Templeton, G. H.; Fink, G. S.; Buja, L. M.

    1977-01-01

    Fifty-seven isolated, blood perfused, continuously weighed canine hearts have been utilized to study the development of abnormal myocardial fluid retention during early myocardial ischemic injury. Inflatable balloon catheters were positioned around the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD) of 54 hearts or the proximal left circumflex coronary arteries of three hearts for study of the following intervals of coronary occlusion: a) 10 minutes followed by 20 minutes of reflow, b) 40 minutes followed by either no reflow or by 20 minutes of reflow, and c) 60 minutes without reflow. After 60 minutes of fixed coronary occlusion, histologic and ultrastructural examination revealed mild swelling of many ischemic cardiac muscle cells in the absence of interstitial edema, cardiac weight gain, and obvious structural defects in cell membrane integrity. After 40 minutes of coronary occlusion and 20 minutes of reflow, significant cardiac weight gain occurred in association with characteristic alterations in the ischemic region, including widespread interstitial edema and focal vascular congestion and hemorrhage and swelling of cardiac muscle cells. Focal structural defects in cell membrane integrity were also noted. The development of abnormal myocardial fluid retention after 40 minutes of LAD occlusion occurred in association with a significant reduction in sodium-potassium-ATPase activity in the ischemic area, but with no significant alteration in either creatine phosphokinase or citrate synthase activity in the same region. Despite the abnormal myocardial fluid retention in these hearts, it was possible pharmacologically to vasodilate coronary vessels with adenosine and nitroglycerin infusion to maintain a consistently high coronary flow following release of the coronary occlusion after 40 minutes and to even exceed initial hyperemic flow values following release of the occlusion when adenosine and nitroglycerin infusion was delayed until 15 minutes after reflow

  10. Titanium dioxide nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying mechanism in mouse myocardial cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Yingjun; Hong, Fashui; Wang, Ling

    2017-11-01

    Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is known to cause cardiovascular disease. While extensive research has focused on the risk of atmospheric PM to public health, particularly heart disease, limited studies to date have attempted to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying myocardial cell damage caused by exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). Data from the current investigation showed that TiO2 NPs are deposited in myocardial mitochondria via the blood circulation accompanied by obvious ultrastructural changes and impairment of mitochondrial structure and function in mouse myocardial cells, including reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, aggravation of oxidative stress along with increased levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl, and decreased glutathione content and enzymatic activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs induced a significant decrease in the activities of complex I, complex II, complex III, complex IV, succinate dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase, Ca2+-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase, and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and upregulation of cytokine expression (including cytochrome c, caspase-3, and p-JNK) in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis while downregulating Bcl-2 expression in mouse myocardial cells. Our results collectively indicate that chronic exposure to TiO2 NPs induces damage in mitochondrial structure and function as well as mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mouse myocardial cells, which may be closely associated with heart disease in animals and humans.

  11. Myocardial infarction in young men. Study of risk factors in nine countries.

    PubMed Central

    Dolder, M A; Oliver, M F

    1975-01-01

    In order to determine whether the development of myocardial infarction in different countries is associated with different risk factors, 240 male survivors, aged 40 or less, were studied in nine countries. In the seven centres in developed countries (Auckland, Melbourne, Los Angles/Atlanta, Cape Town, Tel Avic, Heidelberg, and Edinburgh) there was a high procedure of risk factors, particularly of hyperlipidaemia and cigarette smoking. The prevalence of hypertension, obesity, hyperglycaemia, and hyperuricaemia varied from centre to centre. Risk factors were less prevalent in Bombay and Singapore: the most common risks operating in Bombay seemed to be cigarette smoking and hyperglycaemia, while in Singpore cigarette smoking was the commonest. The mean age of the whole group was 35.4 years. Serum cholesterol levels of 7.25 mmol/l (280 mg/dl) or more were present in 25 per cent of all patients, serum triglyceride levels of 2.26 mmol/l )l200 mg/dl) or more in 35 per cent. 80 per cent of the patients were smokers, and 15 per cent were either for hypertension before myocardial infarction or had a raised blood pressure after myocardial infarction. Obesity was found in 19 per cent of all patients and serum uric acid levels over 0.5 mmol/l (8.5 mg/dl) in 17 per cent. 10 per cent of all patients were either treated for diabetes mellitus before myocardial infarction or showed an abnormal glucose tolerance after myocardial infarction. This collaborative study may help, by showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors, to indicate to each centre and to national and to international organizations, the direction for their future studies into the causation and prevention of myocardial infarction in young men. PMID:1137658

  12. Physiologic ischaemic training induces endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and myocardial angiogenesis via endothelial nitric oxide synthase related pathway in rabbits.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Mingyue; Lu, Xiao; Li, Jianan; Li, Ling; Li, Yongxue

    2014-04-01

    Ischaemia-induced angiogenesis promises to improve neovascularization by delivery of angiogenic factors or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to cardiac ischaemic areas. In order to avoid the risk of excessive myocardial ischaemia, therefore, we hypothesized that physiological ischaemic training (PIT) of normal skeletal muscle might contribute to myocardial angiogenesis via nitric oxide mediated mobilization of EPCs from the bone marrow in the established rabbit model of controllable myocardial ischaemia. The rabbits were grouped by sham-operation, myocardial ischaemia without PIT, PIT and PIT with pretreatment with the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Controlled myocardial ischaemia was modelled by a water balloon constrictor implanted on the left ventricular branch in a rabbit. The PIT procedure included three cycles of 3 min of cuff inflation followed by 5 min of deflation on hind limbs of the rabbits for 4 weeks. At the endpoints, circulating EPCs (CD34/Flk-1) were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorter; capillary density, by immunohistochemistry; blood flow, by a microsphere technique; endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein, by real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Western blotting. The mRNA levels of eNOS were significantly higher in the PIT and L-NAME groups than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.05). Phospho-eNOS protein expression was higher in the PIT group than in the sham-operation and myocardial ischaemia without PIT groups (P < 0.05), and the effect was inhibited by L-NAME pretreatment (P < 0.05). Compared with sham-operation and myocardial ischaemia without PIT groups, the PIT group had the highest EPC count (P < 0.001), and the increase of capillary density (P < 0.01) and collateral blood flow (P < 0.05) in the ischaemic myocardium was consistent with the finding of EPC count. These effects were also inhibited by pretreatment with

  13. The effect of captopril and losartan on the electrophysiology of myocardial cells of myocardial ischemia rats.

    PubMed

    Shi, Xiangmin; Shan, Zhaoling; Yuan, Hongtao; Guo, Hongyang; Wang, Yutang

    2014-01-01

    This study aims to investigate the effect of captopril and losartan on the electrophysiology of myocardial cells parameters in ventricular vulnerable period and effective refractory period of myocardial ischemia rats. 96 wistar rats were enrolled in the study and divided into six groups: Captopril myocardial ischemia group, losartan myocardial ischemia group, myocardial ischemia control group, captopril normal group, losartan normal group and normal control group (n=16). We observed morphological changes of myocardial tissue in each group. The cardiac electrophysiological parameters in effective refractory period of each group were measured. Creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the expression of Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were detected. Compared the losartan and captopril group with the control group, (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril can shorten the ventricular vulnerable period of the normal group and ischemic group. There was no interaction effect between losartan and captopril group and the acute myocardial ischemia group. The effect of losartan and captopril on time window in ventricular vulnerable period showed that compared with the control group (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril had a significant effect on prolonged effective refractory period of normal and ischemic rats. There was no interaction effect between losartan and captopril group and the acute myocardial ischemia group. Compared with the myocardial ischemia control group, CK, GOT, LDH and MDA decreased in captopril and losartan myocardial ischemia groups (P<0.05). Losartan and captopril had a significant effect on prolonged effective refractory period and shorten ventricular vulnerable period, they can also effectively prevent arrhythmias.

  14. An unusual case of infective endocarditis presenting as acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Chen, Zhong; Ng, Francesca; Nageh, Thuraia

    2007-06-01

    A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man presented with a 1 week history of fever, general malaise and acute-onset chest pain. He had a urethral stricture, which had been managed with an indwelling supra-pubic catheter. The electrocardiography on admission showed inferior ST-T segments elevation. His chest pain and electrocardiography changes resolved subsequent to thrombolysis, and he remained haemodynamically stable. The 12-h troponin I was increased at 10.5 microg/l (NR <0.04 microg/l). Echocardiography confirmed severe mitral regurgitation and a flail anterior mitral valve leaflet with an independently oscillating mobile vegetation. Enterococci faecalis were grown on blood cultures. A diagnosis of enterococci infective endocarditis with concomitant acute myocardial infarction due to possible septic emboli was made. Despite the successful outcome from thrombolysis in the setting of acute myocardial infarction with infective endocarditis, the case highlights the current lack of definitive data on the optimal acute management of such an unusual clinical scenario. Although there is serious concern that thrombolytic treatment for myocardial infarction in the setting of infective endocarditis may be associated with higher risk of cerebral haemorrhage, there is little documented evidence supporting the safety of primary percutaneous coronary intervention with these patients.

  15. Myocardialization of the cardiac outflow tract

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    van den Hoff, M. J.; Moorman, A. F.; Ruijter, J. M.; Lamers, W. H.; Bennington, R. W.; Markwald, R. R.; Wessels, A.

    1999-01-01

    During development, the single-circuited cardiac tube transforms into a double-circuited four-chambered heart by a complex process of remodeling, differential growth, and septation. In this process the endocardial cushion tissues of the atrioventricular junction and outflow tract (OFT) play a crucial role as they contribute to the mesenchymal components of the developing septa and valves in the developing heart. After fusion, the endocardial ridges in the proximal portion of the OFT initially form a mesenchymal outlet septum. In the adult heart, however, this outlet septum is basically a muscular structure. Hence, the mesenchyme of the proximal outlet septum has to be replaced by cardiomyocytes. We have dubbed this process "myocardialization." Our immunohistochemical analysis of staged chicken hearts demonstrates that myocardialization takes place by ingrowth of existing myocardium into the mesenchymal outlet septum. Compared to other events in cardiac septation, it is a relatively late process, being initialized around stage H/H28 and being basically completed around stage H/H38. To unravel the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the induction and regulation of myocardialization, an in vitro culture system in which myocardialization could be mimicked and manipulated was developed. Using this in vitro myocardialization assay it was observed that under the standard culture conditions (i) whole OFT explants from stage H/H20 and younger did not spontaneously myocardialize the collagen matrix, (ii) explants from stage H/H21 and older spontaneously formed extensive myocardial networks, (iii) the myocardium of the OFT could be induced to myocardialize and was therefore "myocardialization-competent" at all stages tested (H/H16-30), (iv) myocardialization was induced by factors produced by, most likely, the nonmyocardial component of the outflow tract, (v) at none of the embryonic stages analyzed was ventricular myocardium myocardialization-competent, and finally

  16. Blood pressure targets for the treatment of people with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

    PubMed

    Saiz, Luis Carlos; Gorricho, Javier; Garjón, Javier; Celaya, Mª Concepción; Muruzábal, Lourdes; Malón, Mª Del Mar; Montoya, Rodolfo; López, Antonio

    2017-10-11

    receiving treatment for hypertension and cardiovascular history for myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic peripheral vascular occlusive disease or angina pectoris. Two review authors independently assessed search results and extracted data using standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. We included six RCTs that involved a total of 9795 participants. Mean follow-up was 3.7 years (range 1.0 to 4.7 years). Five RCTs provided individual patient data for 6775 participants.We found no change in total mortality (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.22) or cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.21; moderate-quality evidence). Similarly, no differences were found in serious adverse events (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.11; low-quality evidence). There was a reduction in fatal and non fatal cardiovascular events (including myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death, hospitalization or death from congestive heart failure) with the lower target (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.98; ARR 1.6% over 3.7 years; low-quality evidence). There were more participant withdrawals due to adverse effects in the lower target arm (RR 8.16, 95% CI 2.06 to 32.28; very low-quality evidence). Blood pressures were lower in the lower' target group by 9.5/4.9 mmHg. More drugs were needed in the lower target group but blood pressure targets were achieved more frequently in the standard target group. No evidence of a difference in total mortality and serious adverse events was found between treating to a lower or to a standard blood pressure target in people with hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This suggests no net health benefit from a lower systolic blood pressure target despite the small absolute reduction in total cardiovascular serious adverse events. There was very limited evidence on adverse events, which lead to high uncertainty. At present there is insufficient evidence to justify lower blood pressure targets (≤ 135/85 mmHg) in people with hypertension and

  17. In silico analysis of the anti-hypertensive drugs impact on myocardial oxygen balance.

    PubMed

    Guala, A; Leone, D; Milan, A; Ridolfi, L

    2017-06-01

    Hypertension is a very common pathology, and its clinical treatment largely relies on different drugs. Some of these drugs exhibit specific protective functions in addition to those resulting from blood pressure reduction. In this work, we study the impact of commonly used anti-hypertensive drugs (RAAS, [Formula: see text] and calcium channel blockers) on myocardial oxygen supply-consumption balance, which plays a crucial role in type 2 myocardial infarction. To this aim, 42 wash-out hypertensive patients were selected, a number of measured data were used to set a validated multi-scale cardiovascular model to subject-specific conditions, and the administration of different drugs was suitably simulated. Our results ascribe the well-known major cardioprotective efficiency of [Formula: see text] blockers compared to other drugs to a positive change of myocardial oxygen balance due to the concomitant: (1) reduction in aortic systolic, diastolic and pulse pressures, (2) decrease in left ventricular work, diastolic cavity pressure and oxygen consumption, (3) increase in coronary flow and (4) ejection efficiency improvement. RAAS blockers share several positive outcomes with [Formula: see text] blockers, although to a reduced extent. In contrast, calcium channel blockers seem to induce some potentially negative effects on the myocardial oxygen balance.

  18. Local sympathetic denervation attenuates myocardial inflammation and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction in mice

    PubMed Central

    Ziegler, Karin A; Ahles, Andrea; Wille, Timo; Kerler, Julia; Ramanujam, Deepak; Engelhardt, Stefan

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Aims Cardiac inflammation has been suggested to be regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). However, due to the lack of methodology to surgically eliminate the myocardial SNS in mice, neuronal control of cardiac inflammation remains ill-defined. Here, we report a procedure for local cardiac sympathetic denervation in mice and tested its effect in a mouse model of heart failure post-myocardial infarction. Methods and results Upon preparation of the carotid bifurcation, the right and the left superior cervical ganglia were localized and their pre- and postganglionic branches dissected before removal of the ganglion. Ganglionectomy led to an almost entire loss of myocardial sympathetic innervation in the left ventricular anterior wall. When applied at the time of myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac sympathetic denervation did not affect acute myocardial damage and infarct size. In contrast, cardiac sympathetic denervation significantly attenuated chronic consequences of MI, including myocardial inflammation, myocyte hypertrophy, and overall cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion These data suggest a critical role for local sympathetic control of cardiac inflammation. Our model of myocardial sympathetic denervation in mice should prove useful to further dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac neural control. PMID:29186414

  19. Protective Effects of Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) in Myocardial Ischaemia and Reperfusion Injury in VIVO.

    PubMed

    Di Paola, Rosanna; Cordaro, Marika; Crupi, Rosalia; Siracusa, Rosalba; Campolo, Michela; Bruschetta, Giuseppe; Fusco, Roberta; Pugliatti, Pietro; Esposito, Emanuela; Cuzzocrea, Salvatore

    2016-08-01

    Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death, occurs after prolonged ischemia of the coronary arteries. Restore blood flow is the first intervention help against heart attack. However, reperfusion of the arteries leads to ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). The fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous compound widely present in living organisms, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study evaluated the effect of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) treatment on the inflammatory process associated with myocardial I/R. Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion. PEA-um, was administered (10 mg/kg) 15 min after ischemia and 1 h after reperfusion. In this study, we demonstrated that PEA-um treatment reduces myocardial tissue injury, neutrophil infiltration, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-selectin) expression, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) production, nitrotyrosine and PAR formation, nuclear factor kB expression, and apoptosis (Fas-L, Bcl-2) activation. In addition to study whether the protective effect of PEA-um on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury is also related to the activation of PPAR-α, in a separate set of experiments it has been performed myocardial I/R in PPARα mice. Genetic ablation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α in PPAR-αKO mice exacerbated Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury when compared with PPAR-αWT mice. PEA-um induced cardioprotection in PPAR-α wild-type mice, but the same effect cannot be observed in PPAR-αKO mice. Our results have clearly shown a modulation of the inflammatory process, associated with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, following administration of PEA-um.

  20. Acquired absolute vitamin K deficiency in a patient undergoing warfarin therapy.

    PubMed

    Takada, Hiroaki; Toru, Hifumi; Bunya, Naofumi; Kiriu, Nobuaki; Kato, Hiroshi; Koido, Yuichi; Yasuhiro, Kuroda

    2014-06-01

    We report a case of absolute vitamin K deficiency (VKD) diagnosed by measuring serum VK levels in an elderly woman undergoing warfarin therapy. A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and sore throat diagnosed as pharyngitis 1 week before admission. On admission, the sore throat had exacerbated and dyspnea developed. She had history of atrial fibrillation, for which warfarin 1.5 mg/d was started approximately 10 years prior and her international normalized ratio (INR) had been maintained at an acceptable therapeutic level. Blood results revealed unmeasurable INR and abnormally prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). She was diagnosed with adenoiditis and warfarin-related coagulopathy and administered intravenous VK (20 mg) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP; 4 U), which improved INR and APTT. Since the coagulopathy responded to intravenous VK administration, the patient was clinically diagnosed with warfarin-related relative VKD. Approximately 1 month later, she returned with complaints of sore throat. Blood results indicated abnormal INR (7.22) and APTT (N80.0 s). She was diagnosed with recurrent adenoiditis and VK deficient coagulopathy. The patient’s serum VK levels were low (VK1 level, 0.13 ng/mL; VK2 levels, 0.85 ng/mL). Initial treatment of VK (20 mg) and FFP followed by intravenous VK (20 mg/d) for 6 days, her symptoms dissipated. Warfarin was suspected to have caused absolute VKD. Severe coagulopathy in patients undergoing warfarin therapy is primarily caused by, relative VKD. However, the possibility of warfarin-related absolute VKD should be suspected when INRis not sufficiently improved by intravenous VK administration.

  1. Jasminum flexile flower absolute from India--a detailed comparison with three other jasmine absolutes.

    PubMed

    Braun, Norbert A; Kohlenberg, Birgit; Sim, Sherina; Meier, Manfred; Hammerschmidt, Franz-Josef

    2009-09-01

    Jasminum flexile flower absolute from the south of India and the corresponding vacuum headspace (VHS) sample of the absolute were analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Three other commercially available Indian jasmine absolutes from the species: J. sambac, J. officinale subsp. grandiflorum, and J. auriculatum and the respective VHS samples were used for comparison purposes. One hundred and twenty-one compounds were characterized in J. flexile flower absolute, with methyl linolate, benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, (2E,6E)-farnesol, and benzyl acetate as the main constituents. A detailed olfactory evaluation was also performed.

  2. Regulation of coronary blood flow during exercise.

    PubMed

    Duncker, Dirk J; Bache, Robert J

    2008-07-01

    Exercise is the most important physiological stimulus for increased myocardial oxygen demand. The requirement of exercising muscle for increased blood flow necessitates an increase in cardiac output that results in increases in the three main determinants of myocardial oxygen demand: heart rate, myocardial contractility, and ventricular work. The approximately sixfold increase in oxygen demands of the left ventricle during heavy exercise is met principally by augmenting coronary blood flow (~5-fold), as hemoglobin concentration and oxygen extraction (which is already 70-80% at rest) increase only modestly in most species. In contrast, in the right ventricle, oxygen extraction is lower at rest and increases substantially during exercise, similar to skeletal muscle, suggesting fundamental differences in blood flow regulation between these two cardiac chambers. The increase in heart rate also increases the relative time spent in systole, thereby increasing the net extravascular compressive forces acting on the microvasculature within the wall of the left ventricle, in particular in its subendocardial layers. Hence, appropriate adjustment of coronary vascular resistance is critical for the cardiac response to exercise. Coronary resistance vessel tone results from the culmination of myriad vasodilator and vasoconstrictors influences, including neurohormones and endothelial and myocardial factors. Unraveling of the integrative mechanisms controlling coronary vasodilation in response to exercise has been difficult, in part due to the redundancies in coronary vasomotor control and differences between animal species. Exercise training is associated with adaptations in the coronary microvasculature including increased arteriolar densities and/or diameters, which provide a morphometric basis for the observed increase in peak coronary blood flow rates in exercise-trained animals. In larger animals trained by treadmill exercise, the formation of new capillaries maintains

  3. Increase in electrocardiographic R-waves after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Isobe, Satoshi; Takada, Yasuo; Ando, Akitada; Ohshima, Satoru; Yamada, Kiyoyasu; Nanasato, Mamoru; Unno, Kazumasa; Ogawa, Takuo; Kondo, Takahisa; Izawa, Hideo; Inden, Yasuya; Hirai, Makoto; Murohara, Toyoaki

    2006-11-01

    The physiological mechanism of the increase in the electrocardiographic (ECG) R-wave voltage after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) needs to be elucidated. One hundred and thirty-eight MI patients (83: anterior MI, 45: inferior MI, 10: lateral MI) underwent ECG and echocardiography in both the acute and subacute phases after emergency revascularization, as well as a resting thallium-201/iodine-123 15-p-iodophenyl-3-(R,S)-methyl pentadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy in the acute phase. The total sum of the R-wave voltage (SigmaR) was calculated over multiple leads on ECG for each infarcted lesion. Scintigraphic defect on each tracer was expressed as the percentage (%) defect of the total left ventricular (LV) myocardium. The % defect-discordance on both images in the acute phase and the % increase in SigmaR and the absolute increase in LV ejection fraction from the acute to the subacute phase (DeltaEF) were also calculated. The SigmaR in the subacute phase was significantly greater than that in the acute phase (p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR significantly correlated with the DeltaEF (r=0.57, p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR also correlated with the % defect-discordance (r=0.68, p<0.0001). The increase in the ECG R-wave voltage reflects not only the improvement in myocardial perfusion but also the presence of salvaged myocardium after revascularization in acute MI patients.

  4. Panic attack triggering myocardial ischemia documented by myocardial perfusion imaging study. A case report

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Chest pain, a key element in the investigation of coronary artery disease is often regarded as a benign prognosis when present in panic attacks. However, panic disorder has been suggested as an independent risk factor for long-term prognosis of cardiovascular diseases and a trigger of acute myocardial infarction. Objective Faced with the extreme importance in differentiate from ischemic to non-ischemic chest pain, we report a case of panic attack induced by inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide triggering myocardial ischemia, documented by myocardial perfusion imaging study. Discussion Panic attack is undoubtedly a strong component of mental stress. Patients with coronary artery disease may present myocardial ischemia in mental stress response by two ways: an increase in coronary vasomotor tone or a sympathetic hyperactivity leading to a rise in myocardial oxygen consumption. Coronary artery spasm was presumed to be present in cases of cardiac ischemia linked to panic disorder. Possibly the carbon dioxide challenge test could trigger myocardial ischemia by the same mechanisms. Conclusion The use of mental stress has been suggested as an alternative method for myocardial ischemia investigation. Based on translational medicine objectives the use of CO2 challenge followed by Sestamibi SPECT could be a useful method to allow improved application of research-based knowledge to the medical field, specifically at the interface of PD and cardiovascular disease. PMID:22999016

  5. Panic attack triggering myocardial ischemia documented by myocardial perfusion imaging study. A case report.

    PubMed

    Soares-Filho, Gastão Luiz Fonseca; Mesquita, Claudio Tinoco; Mesquita, Evandro Tinoco; Arias-Carrión, Oscar; Machado, Sergio; González, Manuel Menéndez; Valença, Alexandre Martins; Nardi, Antonio Egidio

    2012-09-21

    Chest pain, a key element in the investigation of coronary artery disease is often regarded as a benign prognosis when present in panic attacks. However, panic disorder has been suggested as an independent risk factor for long-term prognosis of cardiovascular diseases and a trigger of acute myocardial infarction. Faced with the extreme importance in differentiate from ischemic to non-ischemic chest pain, we report a case of panic attack induced by inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide triggering myocardial ischemia, documented by myocardial perfusion imaging study. Panic attack is undoubtedly a strong component of mental stress. Patients with coronary artery disease may present myocardial ischemia in mental stress response by two ways: an increase in coronary vasomotor tone or a sympathetic hyperactivity leading to a rise in myocardial oxygen consumption. Coronary artery spasm was presumed to be present in cases of cardiac ischemia linked to panic disorder. Possibly the carbon dioxide challenge test could trigger myocardial ischemia by the same mechanisms. The use of mental stress has been suggested as an alternative method for myocardial ischemia investigation. Based on translational medicine objectives the use of CO2 challenge followed by Sestamibi SPECT could be a useful method to allow improved application of research-based knowledge to the medical field, specifically at the interface of PD and cardiovascular disease.

  6. Myocardial blood flow estimates from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: three quantitative methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borrazzo, Cristian; Galea, Nicola; Pacilio, Massimiliano; Altabella, Luisa; Preziosi, Enrico; Carnì, Marco; Ciolina, Federica; Vullo, Francesco; Francone, Marco; Catalano, Carlo; Carbone, Iacopo

    2018-02-01

    Dynamic contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can be used to quantitatively assess the myocardial blood flow (MBF), recovering the tissue impulse response function for the transit of a gadolinium bolus through the myocardium. Several deconvolution techniques are available, using various models for the impulse response. The method of choice may influence the results, producing differences that have not been deeply investigated yet. Three methods for quantifying myocardial perfusion have been compared: Fermi function modelling (FFM), the Tofts model (TM) and the gamma function model (GF), with the latter traditionally used in brain perfusion MRI. Thirty human subjects were studied at rest as well as under cold pressor test stress (submerging hands in ice-cold water), and a single bolus of gadolinium weighing 0.1  ±  0.05 mmol kg-1 was injected. Perfusion estimate differences between the methods were analysed by paired comparisons with Student’s t-test, linear regression analysis, and Bland-Altman plots, as well as also using the two-way ANOVA, considering the MBF values of all patients grouped according to two categories: calculation method and rest/stress conditions. Perfusion estimates obtained by various methods in both rest and stress conditions were not significantly different, and were in good agreement with the literature. The results obtained during the first-pass transit time (20 s) yielded p-values in the range 0.20-0.28 for Student’s t-test, linear regression analysis slopes between 0.98-1.03, and R values between 0.92-1.01. From the Bland-Altman plots, the paired comparisons yielded a bias (and a 95% CI)—expressed as ml/min/g—for FFM versus TM, -0.01 (-0.20, 0.17) or 0.02 (-0.49, 0.52) at rest or under stress respectively, for FFM versus GF, -0.05 (-0.29, 0.20) or  -0.07 (-0.55, 0.41) at rest or under stress, and for TM versus GF, -0.03 (-0.30, 0.24) or  -0.09 (-0.43, 0.26) at rest or under stress. With the

  7. Absolute nuclear material assay

    DOEpatents

    Prasad, Manoj K [Pleasanton, CA; Snyderman, Neal J [Berkeley, CA; Rowland, Mark S [Alamo, CA

    2012-05-15

    A method of absolute nuclear material assay of an unknown source comprising counting neutrons from the unknown source and providing an absolute nuclear material assay utilizing a model to optimally compare to the measured count distributions. In one embodiment, the step of providing an absolute nuclear material assay comprises utilizing a random sampling of analytically computed fission chain distributions to generate a continuous time-evolving sequence of event-counts by spreading the fission chain distribution in time.

  8. Absolute nuclear material assay

    DOEpatents

    Prasad, Manoj K [Pleasanton, CA; Snyderman, Neal J [Berkeley, CA; Rowland, Mark S [Alamo, CA

    2010-07-13

    A method of absolute nuclear material assay of an unknown source comprising counting neutrons from the unknown source and providing an absolute nuclear material assay utilizing a model to optimally compare to the measured count distributions. In one embodiment, the step of providing an absolute nuclear material assay comprises utilizing a random sampling of analytically computed fission chain distributions to generate a continuous time-evolving sequence of event-counts by spreading the fission chain distribution in time.

  9. Early detection of myocardial dysfunction using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in a young cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Mochizuki, Yohei; Yoshimatsu, Hiroki; Niina, Ayaka; Teshima, Takahiro; Matsumoto, Hirotaka; Koyama, Hidekazu

    2018-01-01

    Case summary A 5-month-old intact female Scottish Fold cat was presented for cardiac evaluation. Careful auscultation detected a slight systolic murmur (Levine I/VI). The findings of electrocardiography, thoracic radiography, non-invasive blood pressure measurements and conventional echocardiographic studies were unremarkable. However, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography revealed abnormalities in myocardial deformations, including decreased early-to-late diastolic strain rate ratios in longitudinal, radial and circumferential directions, and deteriorated segmental systolic longitudinal strain. At the follow-up examinations, the cat exhibited echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using conventional echocardiography. Relevance and novel information This is the first report on the use of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for the early detection of myocardial dysfunction in a cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; the myocardial dysfunction was detected before the development of hypertrophy. The findings from this case suggest that two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can be useful for myocardial assessment when conventional echocardiographic and Doppler findings are ambiguous. PMID:29449957

  10. [Effect of Zishen Huoxue Recipe on Pathomorphology in Coronary Heart Disease Rats with Shen Deficiency Blood Stasis Syndrome].

    PubMed

    Zhou, Sheng-fang; Liu, Ru-xiu; Luo, He-wei; Li, Hui; Guan, Xuan-ke; Yin, Lin-lin; Li, Li; Hu, Dong-peng

    2016-01-01

    To observe the effect of Zishen Huoxue Recipe (ZHR) on pathomorphology in coronary heart disease (CHD) rats with Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS). Totally 60 healthy Wistar rats were divided into the blank control group, the model group, high, middle, and low dose ZHR groups according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Myocardial ischemia SDBSS rat model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery and injecting hydrocortisone. ZHR physic liquor was administered to rats in high, middle, and low dose ZHR groups at the daily dose of 21.6, 10.8, 5.4 g/kg by gastrogavage for 7 successive days, equal volume of pure water was administered to rats in the blank control group and the model group by gastrogavage for 7 successive days. Rat heart was collected for pathomorphological observation under light microscope. In the model group the heart muscle fiber was swollen and deformed with widened space, loose and dropsy tissues. Blood vessels in myocardial mesenchymal were dilated, infiltrated with more inflammatory cells. Myocardial cells were markedly swollen, degenerated, or necrotic, with caryolysis or disappearance of partial nuclear. A large amount of collagen fibrous tissue became hyperplasia. Endocardial blood vessels were swollen and degenerated with infiltration of few inflammatory cells. Epicardium tissue and structure were destroyed and got hyperplasia. Swollen, degenerated, or necrotic vessels could be seen, with infiltration of more inflammatory cells and collagen deposition. Pathomorphological injuries were alleviated in each ZHR group. The higher ZHR concentration, the milder the injury degree of myocardial tissue, the more limited range of damage. ZHR could attenuate pathomorphological injuries of myocardial ischemia rats with SDBSS and regulate myocardial function, thus improving myocardial ischemia in CHD rats with SDBSS.

  11. Estrogen modulation of the ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction via DAPK3/Akt/ERK activation in male rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    El-Mas, Mahmoud M., E-mail: mahelm@hotmail.com; Abdel-Rahman, Abdel A., E-mail: abdelrahmana@ecu.edu

    Evidence suggests that male rats are protected against the hypotensive and myocardial depressant effects of ethanol compared with females. We investigated whether E{sub 2} modifies the myocardial and oxidative effects of ethanol in male rats. Conscious male rats received ethanol (0.5, 1 or 1.5 g/kg i.v.) 30-min after E{sub 2} (1 μg/kg i.v.) or its vehicle (saline), and hearts were collected at the conclusion of hemodynamic measurements for ex vivo molecular studies. Ethanol had no effect in vehicle-treated rats, but it caused dose-related reductions in LV developed pressure (LVDP), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate of rise in LV pressure (dP/dt{sub max})more » and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures in E{sub 2}-pretreated rats. These effects were associated with elevated (i) indices of reactive oxygen species (ROS), (ii) malondialdehyde (MDA) protein adducts, and (iii) phosphorylated death-associated protein kinase-3 (DAPK3), Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). Enhanced myocardial anti-oxidant enzymes (heme oxygenase-1, catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) activities were also demonstrated. In conclusion, E{sub 2} promotes ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction in male rats. The present findings highlight the risk of developing myocardial dysfunction in men who consume alcohol while receiving E{sub 2} for specific medical conditions. - Highlights: • Ethanol lowers blood pressure and causes LV dysfunction in E{sub 2}-treated rats. • E{sub 2}/ethanol aggravates cardiac oxidative state via of DAPK3/Akt/ERK activation. • E{sub 2}/ethanol causes a feedback increase in cardiac HO-1, catalase and ALDH2. • Alcohol might increase risk of myocardial dysfunction in men treated with E{sub 2}.« less

  12. Differential MR Delayed Enhancement Patterns of Chronic Myocardial Infarction between Extracellular and Intravascular Contrast Media

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jian; Xiang, Bo; Lin, Hung Yu; Liu, Hongyu; Freed, Darren; Arora, Rakesh C.; Tian, Ganghong

    2015-01-01

    Objectives Because the distribution volume and mechanism of extracellular and intravascular MR contrast media differ considerably, the enhancement pattern of chronic myocardial infarction with extracellular or intravascular media might also be different. This study aims to investigate the differences in MR enhancement patterns of chronic myocardial infarction between extracellular and intravascular contrast media. Materials and Methods Twenty pigs with myocardial infarction underwent cine MRI, first pass perfusion MRI and delayed enhancement MRI with extracellular or intravascular media at four weeks after coronary occlusion. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was determined with microsphere measurement. The infarction histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome method. Results Cine MRI revealed the reduced wall thickening in chronic infarction compared with normal myocardium. Moreover, significant wall thinning in chronic infarction was observed in cine MRI. Peak first-pass signal intensity didn’t significantly differ between chronic infarction and normal myocardium no matter what kinds of contrast media. At the following delayed enhancement phase, extracellular media-enhanced signal intensity was significantly higher in chronic infarction than in normal myocardium. Conversely, intravascular media-enhanced signal intensity was almost equivalent among chronic infarction and normal myocardium. At four weeks after infarction, MBF in chronic infarction approached to that in normal myocardium. Large thick-walled vessels were detected at peri-infarction zones. The cardiomyocytes were replaced by scar tissue consisting of dilated blood vessels and discrete fibers of collagen. Conclusions Chronic infarction was characterized by the significantly reduced wall thickening and the definite wall thinning. First-pass myocardial perfusion defect was not detected in chronic infarction with two media due to the significantly

  13. Normal results of post-race thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging in marathon runners with elevated serum MB creatine kinase levels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Siegel, A.J.; Silverman, L.M.; Holman, B.L.

    1985-10-01

    Elevated cardiac enzyme values in asymptomatic marathon runners after competition can arise from skeletal muscle through exertional rhabdomyolysis, silent injury to the myocardium, or a combined tissue source. Peak post-race levels of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase are similar to values in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Previously reported normal results of infarct-avid myocardial scintigraphy with technetium 99m pyrophosphate in runners after competition suggest a non-cardiac source but cannot exclude silent injury to the myocardium. Therefore, thallium 201 myocardial perfusion imaging was performed in runners immediately after competition together with determination of sequential cardiac enzyme levels. Among 15 runnersmore » tested, the average peak in serum MB creatine kinase 24 hours after the race was 128 IU/liter with a cumulative MB creatine kinase release of 117 IU/liter; these values are comparable to those in patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphic results were normal in five runners randomly selected from those who volunteered for determination of sequential blood levels. It is concluded that elevations of serum MB creatine kinase in marathon runners arise from a skeletal muscle source and that thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy is useful to assess runners for myocardial injury when clinical questions arise.« less

  14. Dunye Guanxinning Improves Acute Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Neutrophil Infiltration and Caspase-1 Activity

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Q. G.; Wang, S. R.; Chen, X. M.; Guo, H. N.

    2018-01-01

    Acute myocardial infarction is the most serious manifestation of cardiovascular disease, and it is a life-threatening condition. Dunye Guanxinning (DG) is a protective traditional Chinese patent herbal medicine with high clinical efficacy and suitable for the treatment of myocardial infarction. However, the mechanism through which it is beneficial is unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that DG improves acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and caspase-1 activity. We found that DG administration decreased infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improved left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening, end-systolic volume index, end-systolic diameter, and carotid arterial blood flow output in rats. DG administration also improved hemorheological parameters, myocardial damage biomarkers, and oxidative stress indexes. The findings showed that DG administration inhibited neutrophil infiltration and reduced the serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) level and myocardial IL-1β maturation. Moreover, DG administration inhibited caspase-1 activity and activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in rat hearts. These results suggested that DG administration inhibits inflammasome activity and IL-1β release through the AMPK pathway. Our findings support the clinical efficacy of DG and partially reveal its mechanism, which is beneficial for understanding the therapeutic effects of this protective traditional Chinese patent drug. PMID:29674944

  15. Effect of pacing-induced myocardial ischemia on platelet activation and fibrin formation in the coronary circulation.

    PubMed

    Nichols, A B; Gold, K D; Marcella, J J; Cannon, P J; Owen, J

    1987-07-01

    The effect of pacing-induced myocardial ischemia on platelet activation and fibrin formation was investigated in seven patients with severe proximal lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery to determine if acute ischemia activates the coagulation system. Fibrin formation was assessed from plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A. Platelet activation was assessed by levels of platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin and thromboxane B2. Plasma levels were measured before, during and after acute myocardial ischemia induced by rapid atrial pacing. Blood samples were collected from the ascending aorta and from the great cardiac vein through heparin-bonded catheters. The occurrence of anterior myocardial ischemia was established by electrocardiography and by myocardial lactate extraction. No significant transmyocardial gradients in the levels of fibrinopeptide A, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin or thromboxane B2 were found at rest, during ischemia or in the recovery period, and levels in the great cardiac vein did not change in response to ischemia. These data indicate that pacing-induced myocardial ischemia does not result in release of fibrinopeptide A, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin or thromboxane B2 into the coronary circulation, and imply that acute ischemia does not induce platelet activation or fibrin formation in the coronary circulation.

  16. A mathematical model of coronary blood flow control: simulation of patient-specific three-dimensional hemodynamics during exercise

    PubMed Central

    Lau, Kevin D.; Asrress, Kaleab N.; Redwood, Simon R.; Figueroa, C. Alberto

    2016-01-01

    This work presents a mathematical model of the metabolic feedback and adrenergic feedforward control of coronary blood flow that occur during variations in the cardiac workload. It is based on the physiological observations that coronary blood flow closely follows myocardial oxygen demand, that myocardial oxygen debts are repaid, and that control oscillations occur when the system is perturbed and so are phenomenological in nature. Using clinical data, we demonstrate that the model can provide patient-specific estimates of coronary blood flow changes between rest and exercise, requiring only the patient's heart rate and peak aortic pressure as input. The model can be used in zero-dimensional lumped parameter network studies or as a boundary condition for three-dimensional multidomain Navier-Stokes blood flow simulations. For the first time, this model provides feedback control of the coronary vascular resistance, which can be used to enhance the physiological accuracy of any hemodynamic simulation, which includes both a heart model and coronary arteries. This has particular relevance to patient-specific simulation for which heart rate and aortic pressure recordings are available. In addition to providing a simulation tool, under our assumptions, the derivation of our model shows that β-feedforward control of the coronary microvascular resistance is a mathematical necessity and that the metabolic feedback control must be dependent on two error signals: the historical myocardial oxygen debt, and the instantaneous myocardial oxygen deficit. PMID:26945076

  17. A mathematical model of coronary blood flow control: simulation of patient-specific three-dimensional hemodynamics during exercise.

    PubMed

    Arthurs, Christopher J; Lau, Kevin D; Asrress, Kaleab N; Redwood, Simon R; Figueroa, C Alberto

    2016-05-01

    This work presents a mathematical model of the metabolic feedback and adrenergic feedforward control of coronary blood flow that occur during variations in the cardiac workload. It is based on the physiological observations that coronary blood flow closely follows myocardial oxygen demand, that myocardial oxygen debts are repaid, and that control oscillations occur when the system is perturbed and so are phenomenological in nature. Using clinical data, we demonstrate that the model can provide patient-specific estimates of coronary blood flow changes between rest and exercise, requiring only the patient's heart rate and peak aortic pressure as input. The model can be used in zero-dimensional lumped parameter network studies or as a boundary condition for three-dimensional multidomain Navier-Stokes blood flow simulations. For the first time, this model provides feedback control of the coronary vascular resistance, which can be used to enhance the physiological accuracy of any hemodynamic simulation, which includes both a heart model and coronary arteries. This has particular relevance to patient-specific simulation for which heart rate and aortic pressure recordings are available. In addition to providing a simulation tool, under our assumptions, the derivation of our model shows that β-feedforward control of the coronary microvascular resistance is a mathematical necessity and that the metabolic feedback control must be dependent on two error signals: the historical myocardial oxygen debt, and the instantaneous myocardial oxygen deficit. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  18. Simultaneous Myocardial Strain and Dark-Blood Perfusion Imaging Using a Displacement-Encoded MRI Pulse Sequence

    PubMed Central

    Le, Yuan; Stein, Ashley; Berry, Colin; Kellman, Peter; Bennett, Eric E.; Taylor, Joni; Lucas, Katherine; Kopace, Rael; Chefd’Hotel, Christophe; Lorenz, Christine H.; Croisille, Pierre; Wen, Han

    2010-01-01

    The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a displacement-encoded pulse sequence for simultaneous perfusion and strain imaging. Displacement-encoded images in 2–3 myocardial slices were repeatedly acquired using a single shot pulse sequence for 3 to 4 minutes, which covers a bolus infusion of Gd. The magnitudes of the images were T1 weighted and provided quantitative measures of perfusion, while the phase maps yielded strain measurements. In an acute coronary occlusion swine protocol (n=9), segmental perfusion measurements were validated against microsphere reference standard with a linear regression (slope 0.986, R2 = 0.765, Bland-Altman standard deviation = 0.15 ml/min/g). In a group of ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) patients (n=11), the scan success rate was 76%. Short-term contrast washout rate and perfusion are highly correlated (R2=0.72), and the pixel-wise relationship between circumferential strain and perfusion was better described with a sigmoidal Hill curve than linear functions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of measuring strain and perfusion from a single set of images. PMID:20544714

  19. Release kinetics of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in a clinical model of acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Liebetrau, Christoph; Gaede, Luise; Dörr, Oliver; Troidl, Christian; Voss, Sandra; Hoffmann, Jedrzej; Paszko, Agata; Weber, Michael; Rolf, Andreas; Hamm, Christian; Nef, Holger; Möllmann, Helge

    2014-02-15

    N-terminal segment of B-type natriuretic peptide prohormone (NT-proBNP) is elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) thus providing both diagnostic information and prognostic information. The aim of the present study was to determine the time course of NT-proBNP release in patients undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH) a procedure mimicking AMI. We analyzed the release kinetics of NT-proBNP in 18 consecutive patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy undergoing TASH. Serum samples were collected prior to and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 min, and 2, 4, 8, and 24h after TASH. NT-proBNP concentrations showed a continuous increase during the first 75 min with a significant percent change compared to baseline value already 15 min after TASH (105.6% [IQR 102.2-112.7]; P<0.001). All patients had a significant increase of NT-proBNP at 45 min (range of percent increase [min-max]: 103.5-137.2%; range of absolute increase [min-max]: 23.5-304.0 ng/L). NT-proBNP concentrations decreased below the baseline value until the 8th h after initiation of myocardial infarction. NT-proBNP concentration increases immediately after induction of myocardial infarction proving early evidence of myocardial injury despite the decrease of the left ventricular wall stress due to the TASH related reduction of the left ventricular outflow gradient. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Increased hippocampal blood volume and normal blood flow in schizophrenia

    PubMed Central

    Talati, Pratik; Rane, Swati; Skinner, Jack; Gore, John; Heckers, Stephan

    2015-01-01

    Neuroimaging studies have provided compelling evidence for abnormal hippocampal activity in schizophrenia. Most studies made inferences about baseline hippocampal activity using a single hemodynamic parameter (e.g., blood volume or blood flow). Here we studied several hemodynamic measures in the same cohort to test the hypothesis of increased hippocampal activity in schizophrenia. We used dynamic susceptibility contrast- (DSC-) magnetic resonance imaging to assess blood volume, blood flow, and mean transit time in the hippocampus of 15 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls. Left and right hippocampal measurements were combined for absolute measures of cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF), and mean transit time (MTT). We found significantly increased hippocampal CBV, but normal CBF and MTT, in schizophrenia. The uncoupling of CBV and CBF could be due to several factors, including antipsychotic medication, loss of cerebral perfusion pressure, or angiogenesis. Further studies need to incorporate several complementary imaging modalities to better characterize hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia. PMID:25896442

  1. Myocardial contusion following nonfatal blunt chest trauma

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kumar, S.A.; Puri, V.K.; Mittal, V.K.

    1983-04-01

    Currently available diagnostic techniques for myocardial contusion following blunt chest trauma were evaluated. We investigated 30 patients prospectively over a period of 1 year for the presence of myocardial contusion. Among the 30 patients, eight were found to have myocardial contusion on the basis of abnormal electrocardiograms, elevated creatine phosphokinase MB fraction (CPK-MB), and positive myocardial scan. Myocardial scan was positive in seven of eight patients (87.5%). CPK-MB fraction was elevated in four of eight patients (50%). Definitive electrocardiographic changes were seen in only two of eight patients (25%). It appears that myocardial scan using technetium pyrophosphate and CPK-MB fractionmore » determinations are the most reliable aids in diagnosis of myocardial contusion following blunt chest trauma.« less

  2. Effects of atrial fibrillation on myocardial washout rate of thallium-201 on myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography.

    PubMed

    Kurisu, Satoshi; Nitta, Kazuhiro; Sumimoto, Yoji; Ikenaga, Hiroki; Ishibashi, Ken; Fukuda, Yukihiro; Kihara, Yasuki

    2018-04-20

    Myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with thallium (Tl)-201 is an established modality for evaluating myocardial ischemia. We assessed the effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the myocardial washout rate (WR) of Tl-201 on myocardial perfusion SPECT. A total of 231 patients with no evidence of myocardial ischemia were enrolled retrospectively in this study. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the ECG at the time of myocardial perfusion SPECT. The mean myocardial WR of Tl-201 was calculated from the stress and the redistribution Bull's eye maps. There were 34 patients with AF and 197 patients with sinus rhythm. There were no significant differences in clinical variables, except for older age and higher heart rate in patients with AF. Myocardial WR of Tl-201 was significantly lower in patients with AF than those with sinus rhythm (46±12 vs. 51±8%, P=0.03). Multivariate analysis including these factors showed that female sex (β=0.18, P=0.02), AF (β=-0.14 P=0.03), hemoglobin (β=-0.18, P<0.01), and serum creatinine (β=0.24, P<0.01) were determinants of myocardial WR of Tl-201. Our data suggest that AF is associated with reduced myocardial WR of Tl-201 on myocardial perfuison SPECT.

  3. Analysis of myocardial temperature changes in conventional isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

    PubMed

    Okamoto, Hiroshi; Tamenishi, Akinori; Nishi, Toshihiko; Niimi, Takao

    2014-12-01

    To determine whether cold blood cardioplegia (CBCP) can get over coronary artery lesions, we analyzed the relationship between myocardial temperature changes and lesion severity of major coronary arteries. From April 1991 to October 2003, we measured myocardial temperature before and after antegrade and retrograde delivery of CBCP in 492 patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass grafting. Stenotic severity of three major coronary arteries was classified into four grades according to preoperative coronary arteriography; grade 0 for 50 % or less, 1 for 75 %, 2 for 90 %, 3 for 99 % or 100 %. We analyzed relationships between myocardial temperature changes [ΔT-A (antegrade) & ΔT-R (retrograde)] and the coronary artery lesion's severity. Average ΔT-A of the right coronary artery had no relationship with stenotic grades. Mean ΔT-A of the left anterior descending (LAD) became less and less in proportion to its stenotic grade [9.7 °C for grade 0, 8.2 °C for grade 1, 7.1 °C for grade 2, and 6.0 °C for grade 3, respectively, (p = 0.0042)]. ΔT-A of the circumflex artery showed similar but weaker tendency than those of LAD. Significant inverse correlations were found between ΔT-A and ΔT-R1 in each territory (p < 0.001). Antegrade delivery was less effective in situations with tight proximal lesion, especially in the LAD territory. Retrograde delivery supplemented antegrade delivery. Myocardial temperature monitoring enables us to deal with inadequate cardioplegic delivery, and is a good indicator of myocardial protection.

  4. CD8+CD28+ T cells might mediate injury of cardiomyocytes in acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lili; Wang, Zhiyan; Wang, Di; Zhu, Jumo; Wang, Yi

    2018-06-07

    CD8 + T cells accumulate in the necrotic myocardium of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is unclear whether CD8 + CD28 + T cells, a specific subset of CD8 + T cells, contribute to myocardial injury. In this study, 92 consecutive patients with AMI and 28 healthy control subjects were enrolled. The frequency of CD8 + CD28 + T cells in peripheral blood samples was assayed by flow cytometry. Plasma cardiac troponin I (TNI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined. Long-term prognosis of the patients was evaluated by major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) over a 12-month follow-up period. Our findings indicated that patients with AMI who presented with high numbers of CD8 + CD28 + T cells had an increased infarction size and aggravated ventricular function. We proposed that cytotoxic CD8 + CD28 + T cell-mediated myocardial necrosis may act as a novel and alternative pathway of AMI. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Downregulated Expression of TRPV2 in Peripheral Blood Cells following Acute Myocardial Infarction Is Inversely Correlated with Serum Levels of CRP and Troponin I.

    PubMed

    Rozenbaum, Zach; Cohen, Lena; Bigelman, Einat; Shacham, Yacov; Keren, Gad; Entin-Meer, Michal

    We have recently shown that the transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel is exclusively upregulated in rat/murine peri-infarct monocytes/macrophages following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and that this overexpression might be detrimental for cardiac recovery. We aimed to characterize the expression levels of TRPV2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AMI patients relative to individuals with normal coronaries, and to analyze potential associations with inflammatory and cardiac ischemic markers. Patients who underwent coronary angiography due to AMI or chest pain were prospectively included. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood by Ficoll gradient centrifugation. TRPV2 expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. C-reactive protein (CRP) and troponin I (TpI) levels were determined at the central chemistry laboratory; interleukin 6 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels were tested by ELISA. Following AMI, the number of TRPV2-expressing PBMCs was reduced when compared to in patients with normal coronaries. An inverse correlation was documented between the numbers of circulating macrophages and TRPV2 expression. Additionally, TRPV2 expression was inversely correlated with CRP and TpI and directly correlated with serum IGF-1. We assume that peripheral TRPV2 downregulation occurs concomitantly with the accumulation of TRPV2-white blood cells in the peri-infarct zone. TRPV2 may thus represent a novel target for treatment in the acute phase after MI. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  6. Non-contrast T1-mapping detects acute myocardial edema with high diagnostic accuracy: a comparison to T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background T2w-CMR is used widely to assess myocardial edema. Quantitative T1-mapping is also sensitive to changes in free water content. We hypothesized that T1-mapping would have a higher diagnostic performance in detecting acute edema than dark-blood and bright-blood T2w-CMR. Methods We investigated 21 controls (55 ± 13 years) and 21 patients (61 ± 10 years) with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or acute regional myocardial edema without infarction. CMR performed within 7 days included cine, T1-mapping using ShMOLLI, dark-blood T2-STIR, bright-blood ACUT2E and LGE imaging. We analyzed wall motion, myocardial T1 values and T2 signal intensity (SI) ratio relative to both skeletal muscle and remote myocardium. Results All patients had acute cardiac symptoms, increased Troponin I (0.15-36.80 ug/L) and acute wall motion abnormalities but no LGE. T1 was increased in patient segments with abnormal and normal wall motion compared to controls (1113 ± 94 ms, 1029 ± 59 ms and 944 ± 17 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). T2 SI ratio using STIR and ACUT2E was also increased in patient segments with abnormal and normal wall motion compared to controls (all p < 0.02). Receiver operator characteristics analysis showed that T1-mapping had a significantly larger area-under-the-curve (AUC = 0.94) compared to T2-weighted methods, whether the reference ROI was skeletal muscle or remote myocardium (AUC = 0.58-0.89; p < 0.03). A T1 value of greater than 990 ms most optimally differentiated segments affected by edema from normal segments at 1.5 T, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92 %. Conclusions Non-contrast T1-mapping using ShMOLLI is a novel method for objectively detecting myocardial edema with a high diagnostic performance. T1-mapping may serve as a complementary technique to T2-weighted imaging for assessing myocardial edema in ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease, such as quantifying area-at-risk and diagnosing

  7. Noninvasive PET quantitative myocardial blood flow with regadenoson for assessing cardiac allograft vasculopathy in orthotopic heart transplantation patients.

    PubMed

    Pampaloni, Miguel Hernandez; Shrestha, Uttam M; Sciammarella, Maria; Seo, Youngho; Gullberg, Grant T; Botvinick, Elias H

    2017-08-01

    Risk stratification and early detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is essential in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) patients. This study assesses the changes in myocardial blood flow (MBF) noninvasively in OHT patients using quantitative cardiac PET with regadenoson. Twelve patients (Group 1) (8 males, 4 females, mean age 55 ± 7 years) with no history of post OHT myocardial ischemia were enrolled 5.4 ± 2.0 years after OHT. Fifteen patients (Group 2) (9 males, 6 females, mean age 71 ± 9 years) with intermediate pretest probability but not documented evidence for coronary artery disease (CAD) were also included to serve as control. Global and regional MBFs were assessed using dynamic 13 N-NH 3 PET at rest and during regadenoson-induced hyperemia. The coronary flow reserve (CFR) was also calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to resting MBF. Mean regadenoson-induced rate-pressure products were similar in both groups, while there was an increase in resting rate-pressure product in Group 1 patients. Both mean and median values of resting MBF were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 patients (1.33 ± 0.31 and 1.01 ± 0.21 mL/min/g for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, P < .001), while mean hyperemic MBF values were similar in both Groups (2.68 ± 0.84 and 2.64 ± 0.94 mL/min/g, P = NS) but median hyperemic MBF values were lower in Group 1 than Group 2 patients (2.0 vs. 2.60 mL/min/g, P = .018). Both mean and median CFR values demonstrated a significant reduction for Group 1 compared to Group 2 patients (2.07 ± 0.74 vs 2.63 ± 0.48, P = .025). This study suggests that the MBF in OHT patients may be abnormal at resting state with diminished CFR. This hints that the epicardial and microvascular coronary subsystem may be exacerbated after OHT leading to the gradual progression of CAV.

  8. Measurement of myocardial perfusion and infarction size using computer-aided diagnosis system for myocardial contrast echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Du, Guo-Qing; Xue, Jing-Yi; Guo, Yanhui; Chen, Shuang; Du, Pei; Wu, Yan; Wang, Yu-Hang; Zong, Li-Qiu; Tian, Jia-Wei

    2015-09-01

    Proper evaluation of myocardial microvascular perfusion and assessment of infarct size is critical for clinicians. We have developed a novel computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) approach for myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) to measure myocardial perfusion and infarct size. Rabbits underwent 15 min of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (group I, n = 15) or 60 min of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (group II, n = 15). Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed before and 7 d after ischemia/reperfusion, and images were analyzed with the CAD system on the basis of eliminating particle swarm optimization clustering analysis. The myocardium was quickly and accurately detected using contrast-enhanced images, myocardial perfusion was quantitatively calibrated and a color-coded map calibrated by contrast intensity and automatically produced by the CAD system was used to outline the infarction region. Calibrated contrast intensity was significantly lower in infarct regions than in non-infarct regions, allowing differentiation of abnormal and normal myocardial perfusion. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis documented that -54-pixel contrast intensity was an optimal cutoff point for the identification of infarcted myocardium with a sensitivity of 95.45% and specificity of 87.50%. Infarct sizes obtained using myocardial perfusion defect analysis of original contrast images and the contrast intensity-based color-coded map in computerized images were compared with infarct sizes measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Use of the proposed CAD approach provided observers with more information. The infarct sizes obtained with myocardial perfusion defect analysis, the contrast intensity-based color-coded map and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining were 23.72 ± 8.41%, 21.77 ± 7.8% and 18.21 ± 4.40% (% left ventricle) respectively (p > 0.05), indicating that computerized myocardial contrast echocardiography can

  9. Endogenous diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate in human myocardial tissue.

    PubMed

    Luo, Jiankai; Jankowski, Vera; Güngär, Nihayrt; Neumann, Joachim; Schmitz, Wilhelm; Zidek, Walter; Schlüter, Hartmut; Jankowski, Joachim

    2004-05-01

    Diadenosine polyphosphates have been characterized as extracellular mediators controlling numerous physiological effects. In this study, diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate were isolated and identified in human myocardial tissue. Human myocardial tissue was homogenized and fractionated by affinity chromatography, displacement chromatography, anion-exchange chromatography, and reversed-phase chromatography. In fractions purified to homogeneity, diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate were revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and ultraviolet spectroscopy. These diadenosine polyphosphates were further identified by enzymatic analysis, which demonstrated an interconnection of the phosphate groups with the adenosines in the 5' positions of the riboses. Furthermore, diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate were found in human cardiac-specific granules, and the amount of diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate was estimated in the range of approximately 500 micromol/L. In conclusion, the experiments show that the diadenosine polyphosphates with 2 and 3 phosphate groups occur in human myocardial tissue, and so do the diadenosine polyphosphates with 4 to 6 phosphate groups. After being released by cholinergic stimulation, which is known to affect diadenosine polyphosphate release from secretory granules, diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine pentaphosphate, and diadenosine hexaphosphate activate P2X purinoceptors in vascular smooth muscle; hence, they can act as vasoconstrictors. It may be inferred that the differential action of both predominantly vasodilator and vasoconstrictor diadenosine polyphosphates allow a fine-tuning of myocardial blood flow by locally released diadenosine polyphosphates.

  10. Myocardial diseases of animals.

    PubMed Central

    Van Vleet, J. F.; Ferrans, V. J.

    1986-01-01

    In this review we have attempted a comprehensive compilation of the cardiac morphologic changes that occur in spontaneous and experimental myocardial diseases of animals. Our coverage addresses diseases of mammals and birds and includes these diseases found in both domesticated and wild animals. A similar review of the myocardial diseases in this broad range of animal species has not been attempted previously. We have summarized and illustrated the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural alterations for these myocardial diseases; and, whenever possible, we have reviewed their biochemical pathogenesis. We have arranged the myocardial diseases for presentation and discussion according to an etiologic classification with seven categories. These include a group of idiopathic or primary cardiomyopathies recognized in man (hypertrophic, dilated, and restrictive types) and a large group of secondary cardiomyopathies with known causes, such as inherited tendency; nutritional deficiency; toxicity; physical injury and shock; endocrine disorders, and myocarditides of viral, bacterial, and protozoal causation. Considerable overlap exists between each of the etiologic groups in the spectrum of pathologic alterations seen in the myocardium. These include various degenerative changes, myocyte necrosis, and inflammatory lesions. However, some diseases show rather characteristic myocardial alterations such as vacuolar degeneration in anthracycline cardiotoxicity, myofibrillar lysis in furazolidone cardiotoxicity, calcification in calcinosis of mice, glycogen accumulation in the glycogenoses, lipofuscinosis in cattle, fatty degeneration in erucic acid cardiotoxicity, myofiber disarray in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and lymphocytic inflammation with inclusion bodies in canine parvoviral myocarditis. The myocardial diseases represent the largest group in the spectrum of spontaneous cardiac diseases of animals. Pericardial and endocardial diseases and congential cardiac diseases are

  11. Regional myocardial shape and dimensions of the working isolated canine left ventricle

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ritman, E.; Tsuiki, K.; Donald, D.; Wood, E. H.

    1975-01-01

    Angiographic experiments were performed on isolated canine left ventricle preparations using donor dog to supply blood to the coronary circulation via a rotary pump to control coronary flow. The angiographic record was transferred from video tape to video disk for detailed uninterrupted sequential analysis at a frequency of 60 fields/sec. It is shown that the use of a biplane X-ray technique and a metabolically supported isolated canine left ventricle preparation provides an angiographically ideal means of measuring the mechanical dynamics of the myocardium while the intact left ventricular myocardial structure and electrical activation pattern retain most of the in situ ventricular characteristics. In particular, biplane X-ray angiography of the left ventricle can provide estimates of total ventricular function such as ejection fraction, stroke volume, and myocardial mass correct to within 15% under the angiographically ideal conditions of the preparation.

  12. Dynamic 3D analysis of myocardial sympathetic innervation: an experimental study using 123I-MIBG and a CZT camera.

    PubMed

    Giorgetti, Assuero; Burchielli, Silvia; Positano, Vincenzo; Kovalski, Gil; Quaranta, Angela; Genovesi, Dario; Tredici, Manuel; Duce, Valerio; Landini, Luigi; Trivella, Maria Giovanna; Marzullo, Paolo

    2015-03-01

    Data on the in vivo myocardial kinetics of (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) are scarce and have always been obtained using planar acquisitions. To clarify the normal kinetics of (123)I-MIBG in vivo over time, we designed an experimental protocol using a 3-dimensional (3D) dynamic approach with a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) camera. We studied 6 anesthetized pigs (mean body weight, 37 ± 4 kg). Left ventricular myocardial perfusion and sympathetic innervation were assessed using (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin (26 ± 6 MBq), (123)I-MIBG (54 ± 14 MBq), and a CZT camera. A normal perfusion/function match on gated SPECT was the inclusion criterion. A dynamic acquisition in list mode started simultaneously with the bolus injection of (123)I-MIBG, and data were collected every 5 min for the first 20 min and then at acquisition steps of 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Each step was reconstructed using dedicate software and reframed (60 s/frame). On the reconstructed transaxial slice that best showed the left ventricular cavity, regions of interest were drawn to obtain myocardial and blood pool activities. Myocardial time-activity curves were generated by interpolating data between contiguous acquisition steps, corrected for radiotracer decay and injected dose, and fitted to a bicompartmental model. Time to myocardial maximum signal intensity (MSI), MSI value, radiotracer retention index (RI, myocardial activity/blood pool integral), and washout rate were calculated. The mediastinal signal was measured and fitted to a linear model. The myocardial MSI of (123)I-MIBG was reached within 5.57 ± 4.23 min (range, 2-12 min). The mean MSI was 0.426% ± 0.092%. Myocardial RI decreased over time and reached point zero at 176 ± 31 min (range, 140-229 min). The ratio between myocardial and mediastinal signal at 15 and 125 min and extrapolated at 176 and 4 h was 5.45% ± 0.61%, 4.33% ± 1.23% (not statistically significant vs. 15 min), 3.95% ± 1.46% (P < 0.03 vs. 125 min), and 3.63% ± 1

  13. Sacubitril and valsartan protect from experimental myocardial infarction by ameliorating oxidative damage in Wistar rats.

    PubMed

    Imran, Mohd; Hassan, Md Quamrul; Akhtar, Md Sayeed; Rahman, Obaid; Akhtar, M; Najmi, Abul Kalam

    2018-03-29

    Sacubitril (SAC), a neprilysin inhibitor prevent degradation of neprilysin and activate cGMP signaling pathways leading to rise in blood volume concurrent to blood pressure by means of vasoactive peptides, adrenomedullin, and bradykinin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-ischemic effects of SAC through inhibiting neprilysin in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar albino rats. ISO (85 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously at the end of 14 days pre-treatment with SAC and valsartan (VAL). Biochemical investigation revealed that SAC along with VAL significantly prevented the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase, GR, GPx, GST, and GSH) degradation and malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by ISO intoxication in Wistar rats. Along with this, cardiac biomarkers (LDH, CK-MB, ALT, AST, and ALP) were also significantly ameliorated by SACand VAL in ISO-treated rats. Concurrently, decreased infarction area (IA)and marked reduction in myofibril damage by SACand VAL further supported its protective benefits in MI. Taken together, the results suggest that inhibition of enzyme neprilysin alleviated the ISO induces myocardial damage mediated by its strong antioxidant potential.

  14. Molecular tissue changes in early myocardial ischemia: from pathophysiology to the identification of new diagnostic markers.

    PubMed

    Aljakna, Aleksandra; Fracasso, Tony; Sabatasso, Sara

    2018-03-01

    Diagnosing early myocardial ischemia (the initial 4 to 6 h after interruption of blood flow to part of the myocardium) remains a challenge for clinical and forensic pathologists. Several immunohistochemical markers have been proposed for improving postmortem detection of early myocardial ischemia; however, no single marker appears to be both sufficiently specific as well as sensitive. This review summarizes the diverse categories of molecular tissue markers that have been investigated in human autopsy samples with acute myocardial infarction as well as in the well-established and widely used in vivo animal model of early myocardial ischemia (permanent ligation of the coronary artery). Recently identified markers appearing during the initial 2 h of myocardial ischemia are highlighted. Among them, only six were tested for specificity (C5b-9, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, heart fatty acid binding protein, connexin 43, and JunB). Despite the discovery of several potentially promising markers (in terms of early expression and specificity), many of them remain to be tested and validated for application in routine diagnostics in clinical and forensic pathology. In particular, research investigating the postmortem stability of these markers is required before any might be implemented into routine diagnostics. Establishing a standardized panel of immunohistochemical markers may be more useful for improving sensitivity and specificity than searching for a single marker.

  15. Imaging and Modeling of Myocardial Metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Jamshidi, Neema; Karimi, Afshin; Birgersdotter-Green, Ulrika; Hoh, Carl

    2010-01-01

    Current imaging methods have focused on evaluation of myocardial anatomy and function. However, since myocardial metabolism and function are interrelated, metabolic myocardial imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography, single photon emission tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy present novel opportunities for probing myocardial pathology and developing new therapeutic approaches. Potential clinical applications of metabolic imaging include hypertensive and ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cardiac transplantation, as well as cardiomyopathies. Furthermore, response to therapeutic intervention can be monitored using metabolic imaging. Analysis of metabolic data in the past has been limited, focusing primarily on isolated metabolites. Models of myocardial metabolism, however, such as the oxygen transport and cellular energetics model and constraint-based metabolic network modeling, offer opportunities for evaluation interactions between greater numbers of metabolites in the heart. In this review, the roles of metabolic myocardial imaging and analysis of metabolic data using modeling methods for expanding our understanding of cardiac pathology are discussed. PMID:20559785

  16. The effect of butorphanol postconditioning on myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury in rats

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Yun; Wan, Jing; Zhen, Wen-Zhon; Chen, Liu-Fang; Zhan, Jia; Ke, Jian-Juan; Zhang,, Zong-Ze; Wang, Yan-Lin

    2014-01-01

    OBJECTIVES Butorphanol tartrate is a synthetic opioid partial agonist analgesic. Butorphanol targets the heart, mainly via κ-opioid receptor (κ-OR) activation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect and mechanism underlying butorphanol postconditioning (B-Post) on myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS Seventy-five male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups of 15 each: Group sham; Group I/R (ischaemia/reperfusion); Group B (butorphanol postconditioning); Group B/N (butorphanol postconditioning + antagonist of κ-OR nor-binaltorphimine [Nor-BNI]); Group B/G (butorphanol postconditioning + nonselective ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker glibenclamide [GLI]). The left coronary anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded for 30 min, followed by a 120-min reperfusion. Blood samples were obtained at the end of reperfusion for determination of serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations. The hearts were then excised for determination of myocardial infarct size by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The myocardial tissues were used for determination of the expression of myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS Myocardial infarct size was significantly reduced in B (26.4 ± 1.83%), B/N (34.5 ± 1.56%) and B/G (31.5 ± 1.27%) Groups compared with Group I/R (46.8 ± 1.41%) (all P < 0. 001). The serum TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations and the MDA and MPO activities in the ischaemic area in B, B/N and B/G Groups were significantly lower than those in the I/R Group (all P < 0.001). In addition, myocardial infarct size, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations and the MDA and MPO activities in B/N and B/G Groups were higher than those in the B Group (all P < 0.001). In contrast, SOD activity was significantly increased in B, B/N and B/G Groups, and SOD activity in B/N and B/G Groups was less than in the B Group (all P < 0

  17. Differential loss of natural killer cell activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris.

    PubMed

    Yan, Wenwen; Zhou, Lin; Wen, Siwan; Duan, Qianglin; Huang, Feifei; Tang, Yu; Liu, Xiaohong; Chai, Yongyan; Wang, Lemin

    2015-01-01

    To evaluate the activity of natural killer cells through their inhibitory and activating receptors and quantity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells extracted from patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable angina pectoris and the controls. 100 patients with myocardial infarction, 100 with stable angina, and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited into the study. 20 randomly chosen people per group were examined for the whole human genome microarray analysis to detect the gene expressions of all 40 inhibitory and activating natural killer cell receptors. Flow cytometry analysis was applied to all 200 patients to measure the quantity of natural killer cells. In myocardial infarction group, the mRNA expressions of six inhibitory receptors KIR2DL2, KIR3DL3, CD94, NKG2A, KLRB1, KLRG1, and eight activating receptors KIR2DS3, KIR2DS5, NKp30, NTB-A, CRACC, CD2, CD7 and CD96 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05) compared with both angina patients and the controls. There was no statistical difference in receptor expressions between angina patients and control group. The quantity of natural killer cells was significantly decreased in both infarction and angina patients compared with normal range (P<0.001). The significant mRNAs down-regulation of several receptors in myocardial infarction group and reduction in the quantity of natural killer cells in both myocardial infarction and angina patients showed a quantitative loss and dysfunction of natural killer cells in myocardial infarction patients.

  18. Direct parametric reconstruction in dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging: in vivo studies.

    PubMed

    Petibon, Yoann; Rakvongthai, Yothin; El Fakhri, Georges; Ouyang, Jinsong

    2017-05-07

    Dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) used in conjunction with tracer kinetic modeling enables the quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF). However, MBF maps computed using the traditional indirect method (i.e. post-reconstruction voxel-wise fitting of kinetic model to PET time-activity-curves-TACs) suffer from poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Direct reconstruction of kinetic parameters from raw PET projection data has been shown to offer parametric images with higher SNR compared to the indirect method. The aim of this study was to extend and evaluate the performance of a direct parametric reconstruction method using in vivo dynamic PET MPI data for the purpose of quantifying MBF. Dynamic PET MPI studies were performed on two healthy pigs using a Siemens Biograph mMR scanner. List-mode PET data for each animal were acquired following a bolus injection of ~7-8 mCi of 18 F-flurpiridaz, a myocardial perfusion agent. Fully-3D dynamic PET sinograms were obtained by sorting the coincidence events into 16 temporal frames covering ~5 min after radiotracer administration. Additionally, eight independent noise realizations of both scans-each containing 1/8th of the total number of events-were generated from the original list-mode data. Dynamic sinograms were then used to compute parametric maps using the conventional indirect method and the proposed direct method. For both methods, a one-tissue compartment model accounting for spillover from the left and right ventricle blood-pools was used to describe the kinetics of 18 F-flurpiridaz. An image-derived arterial input function obtained from a TAC taken in the left ventricle cavity was used for tracer kinetic analysis. For the indirect method, frame-by-frame images were estimated using two fully-3D reconstruction techniques: the standard ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction algorithm on one side, and the one-step late maximum a posteriori (OSL-MAP) algorithm on the other

  19. Direct parametric reconstruction in dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging: in-vivo studies

    PubMed Central

    Petibon, Yoann; Rakvongthai, Yothin; Fakhri, Georges El; Ouyang, Jinsong

    2017-01-01

    Dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) used in conjunction with tracer kinetic modeling enables the quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF). However, MBF maps computed using the traditional indirect method (i.e. post-reconstruction voxel-wise fitting of kinetic model to PET time-activity-curves -TACs) suffer from poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Direct reconstruction of kinetic parameters from raw PET projection data has been shown to offer parametric images with higher SNR compared to the indirect method. The aim of this study was to extend and evaluate the performance of a direct parametric reconstruction method using in-vivo dynamic PET MPI data for the purpose of quantifying MBF. Dynamic PET MPI studies were performed on two healthy pigs using a Siemens Biograph mMR scanner. List-mode PET data for each animal were acquired following a bolus injection of ~7-8 mCi of 18F-flurpiridaz, a myocardial perfusion agent. Fully-3D dynamic PET sinograms were obtained by sorting the coincidence events into 16 temporal frames covering ~5 min after radiotracer administration. Additionally, eight independent noise realizations of both scans - each containing 1/8th of the total number of events - were generated from the original list-mode data. Dynamic sinograms were then used to compute parametric maps using the conventional indirect method and the proposed direct method. For both methods, a one-tissue compartment model accounting for spillover from the left and right ventricle blood-pools was used to describe the kinetics of 18F-flurpiridaz. An image-derived arterial input function obtained from a TAC taken in the left ventricle cavity was used for tracer kinetic analysis. For the indirect method, frame-by-frame images were estimated using two fully-3D reconstruction techniques: the standard Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization (OSEM) reconstruction algorithm on one side, and the One-Step Late Maximum a Posteriori (OSL-MAP) algorithm on the other

  20. Direct parametric reconstruction in dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging: in vivo studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petibon, Yoann; Rakvongthai, Yothin; El Fakhri, Georges; Ouyang, Jinsong

    2017-05-01

    Dynamic PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) used in conjunction with tracer kinetic modeling enables the quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF). However, MBF maps computed using the traditional indirect method (i.e. post-reconstruction voxel-wise fitting of kinetic model to PET time-activity-curves-TACs) suffer from poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Direct reconstruction of kinetic parameters from raw PET projection data has been shown to offer parametric images with higher SNR compared to the indirect method. The aim of this study was to extend and evaluate the performance of a direct parametric reconstruction method using in vivo dynamic PET MPI data for the purpose of quantifying MBF. Dynamic PET MPI studies were performed on two healthy pigs using a Siemens Biograph mMR scanner. List-mode PET data for each animal were acquired following a bolus injection of ~7-8 mCi of 18F-flurpiridaz, a myocardial perfusion agent. Fully-3D dynamic PET sinograms were obtained by sorting the coincidence events into 16 temporal frames covering ~5 min after radiotracer administration. Additionally, eight independent noise realizations of both scans—each containing 1/8th of the total number of events—were generated from the original list-mode data. Dynamic sinograms were then used to compute parametric maps using the conventional indirect method and the proposed direct method. For both methods, a one-tissue compartment model accounting for spillover from the left and right ventricle blood-pools was used to describe the kinetics of 18F-flurpiridaz. An image-derived arterial input function obtained from a TAC taken in the left ventricle cavity was used for tracer kinetic analysis. For the indirect method, frame-by-frame images were estimated using two fully-3D reconstruction techniques: the standard ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction algorithm on one side, and the one-step late maximum a posteriori (OSL-MAP) algorithm on the other

  1. [Intracoronary, human autologous stem cell transplantation for myocardial regeneration following myocardial infarction].

    PubMed

    Strauer, B E; Brehm, M; Zeus, T; Gattermann, N; Hernandez, A; Sorg, R V; Kögler, G; Wernet, P

    2001-08-24

    The regenerative potential of human autologous adult stem cells on myocardial regeneration and neovascularisation after myocardial infarction may contribute to healing of the infarction area. But no clinical application has previously been reported. We here describe for the first time the results of this method applied in a patient who had sustained an acute myocardial infarction. 14 hours after the onset of left precordial pain a 46-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for interventional diagnosis and treatment. Coronary angiography demonstrated occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery with transmural infarction. This was treated by percutaneous transluminal catheter angioplasty and stent placement. Mononuclear bone marrow cells of the patient were prepared and 6 days after infaction 1,2 infinity 107 cells were transplanted at low pressure via a percutaneous transluminal catheter placed in the infarct-related artery. Before and 10 weeks after this procedure left ventricular function, infarct size, ventricular geometry and myocardial perfusion were measured by (201)thallium SPECT both at rest and on exercise, together with bull's-eye analysis, dobutamine stress echocardiography, right heart catheterisation and radionuclide ventriculography. At 10 weeks after the stem cell transplantation the transmural infarct area had been reduced from 24.6 % to 15.7 % of left ventricular circumference, while ejection fraction, cardiac index and stroke volume had increased by 20-30 %. On exercise the end diastolic volume had decreased by 30 % and there was a comparable fall in left ventricular filling pressure (mean pulmonary capillary pressure). These results for the first time demonstrate that selective intracoronary transplantation of human autologous adult stem cells is possible under clinical conditions and that it can lead to regeneration of the myocardial scar after transmural infarction. The therapeutic effects may be ascribed to stem

  2. Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine activated carbon release microcapsule on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

    PubMed Central

    Cai, Zhaobin; Shi, Tingting; Zhuang, Rangxiao; Fang, Hongying; Jiang, Xiaojie; Shao, Yidan; Zhou, Hongping

    2018-01-01

    With the development of science and technology, and development of artery bypass, methods such as cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation have been practiced in recent years. Despite this, some methods fail to promote or recover the function of tissues and organs, and in some cases, may aggravate dysfunction and structural damage to tissues. The latter is typical of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Lipid peroxidation mediated by free radicals is an important process of myocardial IR injury. Myocardial IR has been demonstrated to induce the formation of large numbers of free radicals in rats, which promotes the peroxidation of lipids within unsaturated fatty acids in the myocardial cell membrane. Markers of lipid peroxidation include malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and lactic dehydrogenase. Recent studies have demonstrated that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is able to dilate blood vessels, prevent oxidative damage, improve immunity, inhibit apoptosis and the inflammatory response and promote glutathione synthesis in cells. NAC also improves the systolic function of myocardial cells and cardiac function, prevents myocardial apoptosis, protects ventricular remodeling and vascular remodeling, reduces opiomelanocortin levels in the serum and increases the content of nitric oxide in the serum, thus improving vascular endothelial function. Therefore, NAC has potent pharmacological activity; however, the relatively fast metabolism of NAC, along with its large clinical dose and low bioavailability, limit its applications. The present study combined NAC with medicinal activated carbons, and prepared N-acetylcysteine activated carbon sustained-release microcapsules (ACNACs) to overcome the limitations of NAC. It was demonstrated that ACNACs exerted greater effective protective effects than NAC alone on myocardial IR injury in rats. PMID:29434769

  3. Quantitative myocardial blood flow imaging with integrated time-of-flight PET-MR.

    PubMed

    Kero, Tanja; Nordström, Jonny; Harms, Hendrik J; Sörensen, Jens; Ahlström, Håkan; Lubberink, Mark

    2017-12-01

    The use of integrated PET-MR offers new opportunities for comprehensive assessment of cardiac morphology and function. However, little is known on the quantitative accuracy of cardiac PET imaging with integrated time-of-flight PET-MR. The aim of the present work was to validate the GE Signa PET-MR scanner for quantitative cardiac PET perfusion imaging. Eleven patients (nine male; mean age 59 years; range 46-74 years) with known or suspected coronary artery disease underwent 15 O-water PET scans at rest and during adenosine-induced hyperaemia on a GE Discovery ST PET-CT and a GE Signa PET-MR scanner. PET-MR images were reconstructed using settings recommended by the manufacturer, including time-of-flight (TOF). Data were analysed semi-automatically using Cardiac VUer software, resulting in both parametric myocardial blood flow (MBF) images and segment-based MBF values. Correlation and agreement between PET-CT-based and PET-MR-based MBF values for all three coronary artery territories were assessed using regression analysis and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). In addition to the cardiac PET-MR reconstruction protocol as recommended by the manufacturer, comparisons were made using a PET-CT resolution-matched reconstruction protocol both without and with TOF to assess the effect of time-of-flight and reconstruction parameters on quantitative MBF values. Stress MBF data from one patient was excluded due to movement during the PET-CT scanning. Mean MBF values at rest and stress were (0.92 ± 0.12) and (2.74 ± 1.37) mL/g/min for PET-CT and (0.90 ± 0.23) and (2.65 ± 1.15) mL/g/min for PET-MR (p = 0.33 and p = 0.74). ICC between PET-CT-based and PET-MR-based regional MBF was 0.98. Image quality was improved with PET-MR as compared to PET-CT. ICC between PET-MR-based regional MBF with and without TOF and using different filter and reconstruction settings was 1.00. PET-MR-based MBF values correlated well with PET-CT-based MBF values and

  4. Estimating the absolute wealth of households.

    PubMed

    Hruschka, Daniel J; Gerkey, Drew; Hadley, Craig

    2015-07-01

    To estimate the absolute wealth of households using data from demographic and health surveys. We developed a new metric, the absolute wealth estimate, based on the rank of each surveyed household according to its material assets and the assumed shape of the distribution of wealth among surveyed households. Using data from 156 demographic and health surveys in 66 countries, we calculated absolute wealth estimates for households. We validated the method by comparing the proportion of households defined as poor using our estimates with published World Bank poverty headcounts. We also compared the accuracy of absolute versus relative wealth estimates for the prediction of anthropometric measures. The median absolute wealth estimates of 1,403,186 households were 2056 international dollars per capita (interquartile range: 723-6103). The proportion of poor households based on absolute wealth estimates were strongly correlated with World Bank estimates of populations living on less than 2.00 United States dollars per capita per day (R(2)  = 0.84). Absolute wealth estimates were better predictors of anthropometric measures than relative wealth indexes. Absolute wealth estimates provide new opportunities for comparative research to assess the effects of economic resources on health and human capital, as well as the long-term health consequences of economic change and inequality.

  5. Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction Among Men in North Carolina, 2013

    PubMed Central

    Tchwenko, Samuel; Perry, Geraldine S.

    2015-01-01

    Introduction The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends aspirin use for men aged 45 to 79, when the potential benefit of preventing myocardial infarctions outweighs the potential harm of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We determined prevalence and predictors of aspirin use for primary prevention of myocardial infarction vis-à-vis risk among men aged 45 to 79 in North Carolina. Methods The study used data for men aged 45 to 79 without contraindications to aspirin use or a history of cardiovascular disease from the 2013 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Stratification by risk of myocardial infarction was based on history of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. Analyses were performed in Stata version 13.0 (StataCorp LP); survey commands were used to account for complex sampling design. Results Most respondents, 74.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.2%–77.0%), had at least one risk factor for myocardial infarction. Prevalence of aspirin use among respondents with risk factors was 44.8% (95% CI, 41.0–48.5) and was significantly higher than the prevalence among respondents without risk factors (prevalence ratio: 1.44 [95% CI, 1.17–1.78]). No significant linear dose (number of risk factors)–response (taking aspirin) relationship was found (P for trend = .25). Older age predicted (P = .03) aspirin use among respondents with at least one myocardial infarction risk factor. Conclusion Most men aged 45 to 79 in North Carolina have at least one risk factor for myocardial infarction, but less than half use aspirin. Interventions aimed at boosting aspirin use are needed among at-risk men in North Carolina. PMID:26583574

  6. Effects of Chronic and Acute Zinc Supplementation on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

    PubMed

    Ozyıldırım, Serhan; Baltaci, Abdulkerim Kasim; Sahna, Engin; Mogulkoc, Rasim

    2017-07-01

    The present study aims to explore the effects of chronic and acute zinc sulfate supplementation on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. The study registered 50 adult male rats which were divided into five groups in equal numbers as follows: group 1, normal control; group 2, sham; group 3, myocardial ischemia reperfusion (My/IR): the group which was fed on a normal diet and in which myocardial I/R was induced; group 4, myocardial ischemia reperfusion + chronic zinc: (5 mg/kg i.p. zinc sulfate for 15 days); and group 5, myocardial ischemia reperfusion + acute zinc: the group which was administered 15 mg/kg i.p. zinc sulfate an hour before the operation and in which myocardial I/R was induced. The collected blood and cardiac tissue samples were analyzed using spectrophotometric method to determine levels of MDA, as an indicator of tissue injury, and GSH, as an indicator of antioxidant activity. The highest plasma and heart tissue MDA levels were measured in group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 5 had lower MDA values than group 3, while group 4 had significantly lower MDA values than groups 3 and 5 (p < 0.05). The highest erythrocyte GSH values were found in group 4 (p < 0.05). Erythrocyte GSH values in group 5 were higher than those in group 3 (p < 0.05). The highest GSH values in heart tissue were measured in group 4 (p < 0.05). The results of the study reveal that the antioxidant activity inhibited by elevated oxidative stress in heart ischemia reperfusion in rats is restored partially by acute zinc administration and markedly by chronic zinc supplementation.

  7. Prognostic Value of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction (from the EPHESUS Trial).

    PubMed

    Popovic, Batric; Girerd, Nicolas; Rossignol, Patrick; Agrinier, Nelly; Camenzind, Edoardo; Fay, Renaud; Pitt, Bertram; Zannad, Faiez

    2016-11-15

    The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score remains a robust prediction tool for short-term and midterm outcome in the patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the validity of this risk score in patients with STEMI with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains unclear. A total of 2,854 patients with STEMI with early coronary revascularization participating in the randomized EPHESUS (Epleronone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study) trial were analyzed. TIMI risk score was calculated at baseline, and its predictive value was evaluated using C-indexes from Cox models. The increase in reclassification of other variables in addition to TIMI score was assessed using the net reclassification index. TIMI risk score had a poor predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality (C-index values at 30 days and 1 year ≤0.67) and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI; C-index values ≤0.60). Among TIMI score items, diabetes/hypertension/angina, heart rate >100 beats/min, and systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg were inconsistently associated with survival, whereas none of the TIMI score items, aside from age, were significantly associated with MI recurrence. Using a constructed predictive model, lower LVEF, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and previous MI were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The predictive accuracy of this model, which included LVEF and eGFR, was fair for both 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality (C-index values ranging from 0.71 to 0.75). In conclusion, TIMI risk score demonstrates poor discrimination in predicting mortality or recurrent MI in patients with STEMI with reduced LVEF. LVEF and eGFR are major factors that should not be ignored by predictive risk scores in this population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Double-gated myocardial ASL perfusion imaging is robust to heart rate variation.

    PubMed

    Do, Hung Phi; Yoon, Andrew J; Fong, Michael W; Saremi, Farhood; Barr, Mark L; Nayak, Krishna S

    2017-05-01

    Cardiac motion is a dominant source of physiological noise (PN) in myocardial arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion imaging. This study investigates the sensitivity to heart rate variation (HRV) of double-gated myocardial ASL compared with the more widely used single-gated method. Double-gating and single-gating were performed on 10 healthy volunteers (n = 10, 3F/7M; age, 23-34 years) and eight heart transplant recipients (n = 8, 1F/7M; age, 26-76 years) at rest in the randomized order. Myocardial blood flow (MBF), PN, temporal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and HRV were measured. HRV ranged from 0.2 to 7.8 bpm. Double-gating PN did not depend on HRV, while single-gating PN increased with HRV. Over all subjects, double-gating provided a significant reduction in global PN (from 0.20 ± 0.15 to 0.11 ± 0.03 mL/g/min; P = 0.01) and per-segment PN (from 0.33 ± 0.23 to 0.21 ± 0.12 mL/g/min; P < 0.001), with significant increases in global temporal SNR (from 11 ± 8 to 18 ± 8; P = 0.02) and per-segment temporal SNR (from 7 ± 4 to 11 ± 12; P < 0.001) without significant difference in measured MBF. Single-gated myocardial ASL suffers from reduced temporal SNR, while double-gated myocardial ASL provides consistent temporal SNR independent of HRV. Magn Reson Med 77:1975-1980, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  9. MYOCARDIAL AKT: THE OMNIPRESENT NEXUS

    PubMed Central

    Sussman, Mark A.; Völkers, Mirko; Fischer, Kimberlee; Bailey, Brandi; Cottage, Christopher T.; Din, Shabana; Gude, Natalie; Avitabile, Daniele; Alvarez, Roberto; Sundararaman, Balaji; Quijada, Pearl; Mason, Matt; Konstandin, Mathias H.; Malhowski, Amy; Cheng, Zhaokang; Khan, Mohsin; McGregor, Michael

    2013-01-01

    One of the greatest examples of integrated signal transduction is revealed by examination of effects mediated by AKT kinase in myocardial biology. Positioned at the intersection of multiple afferent and efferent signals, AKT exemplifies a molecular sensing node that coordinates dynamic responses of the cell in literally every aspect of biological responses. The balanced and nuanced nature of homeostatic signaling is particularly essential within the myocardial context, where regulation of survival, energy production, contractility, and response to pathological stress all flow through the nexus of AKT activation or repression. Equally important, the loss of regulated AKT activity is primarily the cause or consequence of pathological conditions leading to remodeling of the heart and eventual decompensation. This review presents an overview compendium of the complex world of myocardial AKT biology gleaned from more than a decade of research. Summarization of the widespread influence that AKT exerts upon myocardial responses leaves no doubt that the participation of AKT in molecular signaling will need to be reckoned with as a seemingly omnipresent regulator of myocardial molecular biological responses. PMID:21742795

  10. Absolute versus relative ascertainment of pedophilia in men.

    PubMed

    Blanchard, Ray; Kuban, Michael E; Blak, Thomas; Cantor, James M; Klassen, Philip E; Dickey, Robert

    2009-12-01

    There are at least two different criteria for assessing pedophilia in men: absolute ascertainment (their sexual interest in children is intense) and relative ascertainment (their sexual interest in children is greater than their interest in adults). The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition (DSM-III) used relative ascertainment in its diagnostic criteria for pedophilia; this was abandoned and replaced by absolute ascertainment in the DSM-III-R and all subsequent editions. The present study was conducted to demonstrate the continuing need for relative ascertainment, particularly in the laboratory assessment of pedophilia. A total of 402 heterosexual men were selected from a database of patients referred to a specialty clinic. These had undergone phallometric testing, a psychophysiological procedure in which their penile blood volume was monitored while they were presented with a standardized set of laboratory stimuli depicting male and female children, pubescents, and adults.The 130 men selected for the Teleiophilic Profile group responded substantially to prepubescent girls but even more to adult women; the 272 men selected for the Pedophilic Profile group responded weakly to prepubescent girls but even less to adult women. In terms of absolute magnitude, every patient in the Pedophilic Profile group had a lesser penile response to prepubescent girls than every patient in the Teleiophilic Profile group. Nevertheless, the Pedophilic Profile group had a significantly greater number of known sexual offenses against prepubescent girls, indicating that they contained a higher proportion of true pedophiles. These results dramatically demonstrate the utility-or perhaps necessity-of relative ascertainment in the laboratory assessment of erotic age-preference.

  11. The Brazilian Family Health Program and Secondary Stroke and Myocardial Infarction Prevention: A 6-Year Cohort Study

    PubMed Central

    Franco, Selma; Longo, Alexandre; Moro, Carla; Buss, Talita A.; Collares, Daniel; Werlich, Roberta; Dadan, Danieli D.; Fissmer, Cristiane S.; Aragão, Ana; Ferst, Priscilla; Palharini, Felipe G.; Eluf-Neto, Jose; Fonseca, Luiz A. M.; Whiteley, William N.; Gonçalves, Anderson R. R.

    2012-01-01

    Objectives. We compared the incidence of recurrent or fatal cardiovascular disease in patients using Brazil’s government-run Family Health Program (FHP) with those using non-FHP models of care. Methods. From 2005 to 2010, we followed outpatients discharged from city public hospitals after a first ever stroke for stroke recurrence and myocardial infarction, using data from all city hospitals, death certificates, and outpatient monitoring in state-run and private units. Results. In the follow-up period, 103 patients in the FHP units and 138 in the non-FHP units had exclusively state-run care. Stroke or myocardial infarction occurred in 30.1% of patients in the FHP group and 36.2% of patients in non-FHP care (rate ratio [RR] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61, 1.18; P = .39); 37.9% of patients in FHP care and 54.3% in non-FHP care (RR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.50, 0.92; P = .01) died. FHP use was associated with lower hazard of death from all causes (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; P = .005) after adjusting for age and stroke severity. The absolute risk reduction for death by all causes was 16.4%. Conclusions. FHP care is more effective than is non-FHP care at preventing death from secondary stroke and myocardial infarction. PMID:23078478

  12. [Clinical significance of myocardial 123I-BMIPP imaging in patients with myocardial infarction].

    PubMed

    Narita, M; Kurihara, T; Shindoh, T; Honda, M

    1997-03-01

    In order to clarify the characteristics of fatty acid metabolism in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), we performed myocardial imaging with 123I-beta-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) and we compared these findings with exercise stress (Ex) and resting myocardial perfusion imaging with 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and left ventricular wall motion index (WMI) which were obtained by left ventriculography. We studied 55 patients with MI, 14 patients with recent MI (RMI) and 41 patients with old MI (OMI), and myocardial images were divided into 17 segments and myocardial uptake of the radionuclide was graded from 0 (normal) to 3 (maximal abnormality). In 28 patients we compared segmental defect score (SDS) with WMI which were obtained by centerline method at the corresponded segments. As a whole, the mean total defect scores (TDSs) of BMIPP and Ex were similar and they were greater than the mean TDS of resting perfusion. In 30 patient (55%) TDS of BMIPP was greater than that of TDS of resting perfusion. In 24 patients perfusion abnormality developed by Ex and the location of BMIPP abnormality coincided with the abnormality of Ex. But in the other 6 patients Ex did not induce any abnormality and they were all RMI and infarcted coronary artery was patent. However in the group with TDS of BMIPP identical to TDS of resting perfusion (25 patients), 92% did not show myocardial perfusion abnormality after Ex. In the comparison of SDS and WMI, myocardial segments were divided into 3 groups; both SDSs of BMIPP and resting perfusion were normal or borderline abnormality (Group 1, 82 segments), SDS of resting perfusion was normal or borderline and SDS of BMIPP was definitely abnormal (Group 2, 10 segments) and both SDSs of BMIPP and resting perfusion were definitely abnormal (Group 3, 48 segments). In Group 1, WMS (-0.41 +/- 0.77) was significantly (p < 0.001) greater than those of Group 2 (-2.14 +/- 0.50) and Group 3 (-2.32 +/- 0.67). But there was

  13. Estimating the absolute wealth of households

    PubMed Central

    Gerkey, Drew; Hadley, Craig

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Objective To estimate the absolute wealth of households using data from demographic and health surveys. Methods We developed a new metric, the absolute wealth estimate, based on the rank of each surveyed household according to its material assets and the assumed shape of the distribution of wealth among surveyed households. Using data from 156 demographic and health surveys in 66 countries, we calculated absolute wealth estimates for households. We validated the method by comparing the proportion of households defined as poor using our estimates with published World Bank poverty headcounts. We also compared the accuracy of absolute versus relative wealth estimates for the prediction of anthropometric measures. Findings The median absolute wealth estimates of 1 403 186 households were 2056 international dollars per capita (interquartile range: 723–6103). The proportion of poor households based on absolute wealth estimates were strongly correlated with World Bank estimates of populations living on less than 2.00 United States dollars per capita per day (R2 = 0.84). Absolute wealth estimates were better predictors of anthropometric measures than relative wealth indexes. Conclusion Absolute wealth estimates provide new opportunities for comparative research to assess the effects of economic resources on health and human capital, as well as the long-term health consequences of economic change and inequality. PMID:26170506

  14. Risk of acute myocardial infarction after the death of a significant person in one's life: the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study.

    PubMed

    Mostofsky, Elizabeth; Maclure, Malcolm; Sherwood, Jane B; Tofler, Geoffrey H; Muller, James E; Mittleman, Murray A

    2012-01-24

    Acute psychological stress is associated with an abrupt increase in the risk of cardiovascular events. Intense grief in the days after the death of a significant person may trigger the onset of acute myocardial infarction (MI), but this relationship has not been systematically studied. We conducted a case-crossover analysis of 1985 participants from the multicenter Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study interviewed during index hospitalization for an acute MI between 1989 and 1994. We compared the observed number of deaths in the days preceding MI symptom onset with its expected frequency based on each patient's control information, defined as the occurrence of deaths in the period from 1 to 6 months before infarction. Among the 1985 subjects, 270 (13.6%) experienced the loss of a significant person in the prior 6 months, including 19 within 1 day of their MI. The incidence rate of acute MI onset was elevated 21.1-fold (95% confidence interval, 13.1-34.1) within 24 hours of the death of a significant person and declined steadily on each subsequent day. The absolute risk of MI within 1 week of the death of a significant person is 1 excess MI per 1394 exposed individuals at low (5%) 10-year MI risk and 1 per 320 among individuals at high (20%) 10-year risk. Grief over the death of a significant person was associated with an acutely increased risk of MI in the subsequent days. The impact may be greatest among individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

  15. Distribution and Determinants of Myocardial Perfusion Grade Following Late Mechanical Recanalization of Occluded Infarct-Related Arteries Postmyocardial Infarction: A Report From the Occluded Artery Trial

    PubMed Central

    Jorapur, Vinod; Steigen, Terje K.; Buller, Christopher E.; Dẑavík, Vladimír; Webb, John G.; Strauss, Bradley H.; Yeoh, Eunice E.S.; Kurray, Peter; Sokalski, Leszek; Machado, Mauricio C.; Kronsberg, Shari S.; Lamas, Gervasio A.; Hochman, Judith S.; John Mancini, G.B.

    2010-01-01

    Objective To evaluate the distribution and determinants of myocardial perfusion grade (MPG) following late recanalization of persistently occluded infarct-related arteries (IRA). Background MPG reflects microvascular integrity. It is an independent prognostic factor following myocardial infarction, but has been studied mainly in the setting of early reperfusion. The occluded artery trial (OAT) enrolled stable patients with persistently occluded IRAs beyond 24 hr and up to 28 days post-MI. Methods Myocardial blush was assessed using TIMI MPG grading in 261 patients with TIMI 3 epicardial flow following IRA PCI. Patients demonstrating impaired (0–1) versus preserved (2–3) MPG were compared with regard to baseline clinical and pre-PCI angiographic characteristics. Results Impaired MPG was observed in 60 of 261 patients (23%). By univariate analysis, impaired MPG was associated with failed fibrinolytic therapy, higher heart rate, lower systolic blood pressure, lower ejection fraction, LAD occlusion, absence of collaterals (P < 0.01) and ST elevation MI, lower diastolic blood pressure, and higher systolic sphericity index (P < 0.05). By multivariable analysis, higher heart rate, LAD occlusion, absence of collaterals and higher systolic sphericity index (P < 0.01), and lower systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) were independently associated with impaired MPG. Conclusion Preserved microvascular integrity was present in a high proportion of patients following late recanalization of occluded IRAs post-MI. Presence of collaterals was independently associated with preserved MPG and likely accounted for the high frequency of preserved myocardial perfusion in this clinical setting. Impaired MPG was associated with baseline clinical and angiographic features consistent with larger infarct size. PMID:18798327

  16. Cells involved in extracellular matrix remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Garcia, Larissa Ferraz; Mataveli, Fábio D’Aguiar; Mader, Ana Maria Amaral Antônio; Theodoro, Thérèse Rachell; Justo, Giselle Zenker; Pinhal, Maria Aparecida da Silva

    2015-01-01

    Objective Evaluate the effects of VEGF165 gene transfer in the process of remodeling of the extracellular matrix after an acute myocardial infarct. Methods Wistar rats were submitted to myocardial infarction, after the ligation of the left descending artery, and the left ventricle ejection fraction was used to classify the infarcts into large and small. The animals were divided into groups of ten, according to the size of infarcted area (large or small), and received or not VEGF165 treatment. Evaluation of different markers was performed using immunohistochemistry and digital quantification. The primary antibodies used in the analysis were anti-fibronectin, anti-vimentin, anti-CD44, anti-E-cadherin, anti-CD24, anti-alpha-1-actin, and anti-PCNA. The results were expressed as mean and standard error, and analyzed by ANOVA, considering statistically significant if p≤0.05. Results There was a significant increase in the expression of undifferentiated cell markers, such as fibronectin (protein present in the extracellular matrix) and CD44 (glycoprotein present in the endothelial cells). However, there was decreased expression of vimentin and PCNA, indicating a possible decrease in the process of cell proliferation after treatment with VEGF165. Markers of differentiated cells, E-cadherin (adhesion protein between myocardial cells), CD24 (protein present in the blood vessels), and alpha-1-actin (specific myocyte marker), showed higher expression in the groups submitted to gene therapy, compared to non-treated group. The value obtained by the relation between alpha-1-actin and vimentin was approximately three times higher in the groups treated with VEGF165, suggesting greater tissue differentiation. Conclusion The results demonstrated the important role of myocytes in the process of tissue remodeling, confirming that VEGF165 seems to provide a protective effect in the treatment of acute myocardial infarct. PMID:25993074

  17. Taxonomy of segmental myocardial systolic dysfunction

    PubMed Central

    McDiarmid, Adam K.; Pellicori, Pierpaolo; Cleland, John G.; Plein, Sven

    2017-01-01

    The terms used to describe different states of myocardial health and disease are poorly defined. Imprecision and inconsistency in nomenclature can lead to difficulty in interpreting and applying trial outcomes to clinical practice. In particular, the terms ‘viable’ and ‘hibernating’ are commonly applied interchangeably and incorrectly to myocardium that exhibits chronic contractile dysfunction in patients with ischaemic heart disease. The range of inherent differences amongst imaging modalities used to define myocardial health and disease add further challenges to consistent definitions. The results of several large trials have led to renewed discussion about the classification of dysfunctional myocardial segments. This article aims to describe the diverse myocardial pathologies that may affect the myocardium in ischaemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, and how they may be assessed with non-invasive imaging techniques in order to provide a taxonomy of myocardial dysfunction. PMID:27147609

  18. Menopause and myocardial infarction risk among employed women in relation to work and family psychosocial factors in Lithuania.

    PubMed

    Malinauskiene, Vilija; Tamosiunas, Abdonas

    2010-05-01

    To assess the relationship between menopause and age at menopause and the risk of the first non-fatal myocardial infarction taking into account the possible influence of psychosocial job characteristics, marital stress, level of social support, educational level, occupation, age and traditional ischemic heart disease risk factors. Population-based case-control study among 35-61 years old employed women in Kaunas, Lithuania. Totally 122 myocardial infarction cases and 371 controls were interviewed in 2001-2004. The logistic regression analysis was performed. Younger age at menopause (myocardial infarction risk (OR=1.78; 95% CI 0.39-8.07) after adjustments for age, smoking, arterial blood pressure and body mass index. However further adjustment for job demands, job control, social support, marital stress, education level, occupation decreased the risk (OR=1.16; 95% CI 0.27-5.01). In the fully adjusted model OR for postmenopausal women was 1.15; 95% CI 0.48-2.75. The association between low job control and myocardial infarction showed step increase, women in the lowest quartile of job control had the highest myocardial infarction risk (OR=4.51; 95% CI 1.90-10.75), while those in the second and third quartiles showed modest risk. Marital stress was an independent myocardial infarction risk factor for employed women (adjusted OR=2.36; 95% CI 1.07-5.19). Menopausal status and younger age at menopause showed only a tendency for increase in myocardial infarction risk among the employed women in Kaunas, Lithuania. Adverse psychosocial job characteristics as low job control, as well as marital stress play more important role in the development of the first myocardial infarction. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. 20 CFR 404.1205 - Absolute coverage groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Absolute coverage groups. 404.1205 Section... Covered § 404.1205 Absolute coverage groups. (a) General. An absolute coverage group is a permanent... are not under a retirement system. An absolute coverage group may include positions which were...

  20. Evaluation of (99)  (m)TcN-MPO as a new myocardial perfusion imaging agent in normal dogs and in an acute myocardial infarction canine model: comparison with (99)  (m)Tc-sestamibi.

    PubMed

    Bu, Lihong; Li, Renfei; Jin, Zhongnan; Wen, Xiaofei; Liu, Shuang; Yang, Baofeng; Shen, Baozhong; Chen, Xiaoyuan

    2011-02-01

    (99)  (m)TcN-MPO ([(99)  (m)TcN(mpo)(PNP5)](+): mpo = 2-mercaptopyridine oxide and PNP5 = N-ethoxyethyl-N,N-bis[2-(bis(3-methoxypropyl)phosphino)ethyl]amine) is a cationic (99)  (m)Tc-nitrido complex, which has favorable biodistribution and myocardial uptake with rapid liver clearance in Sprague Dawley rats. The objective of this study was to compare the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of (99)  (m)TcN-MPO and (99)  (m)Tc-Sestamibi in normal dogs, and to evaluate the potential of (99)  (m)TcN-MPO as a myocardial perfusion agent in canines with acute myocardial infarction. Five normal mongrel dogs were injected intravenously with (99)  (m)TcN-MPO. Venous blood samples were collected via a femoral vein catheter at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 90 min post-injection (p.i.). Anterior-posterior planar images were acquired by γ-camera at 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min p.i. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn around the heart, liver, and lungs. The heart/liver and heart/lung ratios were calculated by dividing the mean counts in heart ROI by the mean counts in the liver and lung ROI, respectively. For comparison, (99)  (m)Tc-sestamibi was also evaluated in the same five dogs. The interval period between the two examinations was 1 week to eliminate possible interference between these two radiotracers. In addition, single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) images in the canine infarct model were collected 24 h after myocardial infarction at 30 and 60 min after the administration of (99)  (m)TcN-MPO (n = 4) or (99)  (m)Tc-Sestamibi (n = 4). It was found that (99)  (m)TcN-MPO and (99)  (m)Tc-Sestamibi displayed very similar blood clearance characteristics during the first 90 min p.i. Both (99)  (m)TcN-MPO and (99)  (m)Tc-Sestamibi had a rapid blood clearance with less than 50% of initial radioactivity remaining at 1 min and less than 5% at 30 min p.i. (99)  (m)TcN-MPO and (99)  (m)Tc-Sestamibi both showed good

  1. Tissue Sodium Concentration in Myocardial Infarction in Humans: A Quantitative 23Na MR Imaging Study1

    PubMed Central

    Ouwerkerk, Ronald; Bottomley, Paul A.; Solaiyappan, Meiyappan; Spooner, Amy E.; Tomaselli, Gordon F.; Wu, Katherine C.; Weiss, Robert G.

    2008-01-01

    Purpose: To prospectively determine whether the absolute tissue sodium concentration (TSC) increases in myocardial infarctions (MIs) in humans and whether TSC is related to infarct size, infarct age, ventricular dysfunction, and/or electrophysiologic inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias. Materials and Methods: Delayed contrast material–enhanced 1.5-T hydrogen 1 (1H) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to measure the size and location of nonacute MIs in 20 patients (18 men, two women; mean age, 63 years ± 9 [standard deviation]; age range, 48–82 years) examined at least 90 days after MI. End-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, ejection fraction, and left ventricle (LV) mass were measured with cine MR imaging. The TSC in normal, infarcted, and adjacent myocardial tissue was measured on sodium 23 (23Na) MR images coregistered with delayed contrast-enhanced 1H MR images. Programmed electric stimulation to induce monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MVT) was used to assess arrhythmic potential, and myocardial TSC was compared between the inducible MVT and noninducible MVT patient groups. Results: The mean TSC for MIs (59 μmol/g wet weight ± 10) was 30% higher than that for noninfarcted (remote) LV regions (45 μmol/g wet weight ± 5, P < .001) and that for healthy control subjects, and TSC did not correlate with infarct age or functional and morphologic indices. The mean TSC for tissue adjacent to the MI (50 μmol/g wet weight ± 6) was intermediate between that for the MI and that for remote regions. The elevated TSC measured in the MI at 23Na MR imaging lacked sufficient contrast and spatial resolution for routine visualization of MI. Cardiac TSC did not enable differentiation between patients in whom MVT was inducible and those in whom it was not. Conclusion: Absolute TSC is measurable with 23Na MR imaging and is significantly elevated in human MI; however, TSC increase is not related to infarct age, infarct size, or global ventricular function. In

  2. Radionuclide imaging in myocardial sarcoidosis. Demonstration of myocardial uptake of /sup 99m/Tc pyrophosphate and gallium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Forman, M.B.; Sandler, M.P.; Sacks, G.A.

    1983-03-01

    A patient had severe congestive cardiomyopathy secondary to myocardial sarcoidosis. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by radionuclide ventriculography, /sup 201/Tl, /sup 67/Ga, and /sup 99m/Tc pyrophosphate (TcPYP) scintigraphy. Myocardial TcPYP uptake has not been reported previously in sarcoidosis. In this patient, TcPYP was as useful as gallium scanning and thallium imaging in documenting the myocardial process.

  3. Coronary calcium predicts events better with absolute calcium scores than age-sex-race/ethnicity percentiles: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

    PubMed

    Budoff, Matthew J; Nasir, Khurram; McClelland, Robyn L; Detrano, Robert; Wong, Nathan; Blumenthal, Roger S; Kondos, George; Kronmal, Richard A

    2009-01-27

    In this study, we aimed to establish whether age-sex-specific percentiles of coronary artery calcium (CAC) predict cardiovascular outcomes better than the actual (absolute) CAC score. The presence and extent of CAC correlates with the overall magnitude of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden and with the development of subsequent coronary events. MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a prospective cohort study of 6,814 asymptomatic participants followed for coronary heart disease (CHD) events including myocardial infarction, angina, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or CHD death. Time to incident CHD was modeled with Cox regression, and we compared models with percentiles based on age, sex, and/or race/ethnicity to categories commonly used (0, 1 to 100, 101 to 400, 400+ Agatston units). There were 163 (2.4%) incident CHD events (median follow-up 3.75 years). Expressing CAC in terms of age- and sex-specific percentiles had significantly lower area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) than when using absolute scores (women: AUC 0.73 versus 0.76, p = 0.044; men: AUC 0.73 versus 0.77, p < 0.001). Akaike's information criterion indicated better model fit with the overall score. Both methods robustly predicted events (>90th percentile associated with a hazard ratio [HR] of 16.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.30 to 28.9, and score >400 associated with HR of 20.6, 95% CI: 11.8 to 36.0). Within groups based on age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific percentiles there remains a clear trend of increasing risk across levels of the absolute CAC groups. In contrast, once absolute CAC category is fixed, there is no increasing trend across levels of age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific categories. Patients with low absolute scores are low-risk, regardless of age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific percentile rank. Persons with an absolute CAC score of >400 are high risk, regardless of percentile rank. Using absolute CAC in standard groups performed

  4. Baicalein, a Component of Scutellaria baicalensis, Attenuates Kidney Injury Induced by Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Lai, Chang-Chi; Huang, Po-Hsung; Yang, An-Han; Chiang, Shu-Chiung; Tang, Chia-Yu; Tseng, Kuo-Wei; Huang, Cheng-Hsiung

    2016-02-01

    Acute kidney injury is a common and severe complication of acute myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. It results in increased mortality, morbidity, and duration of hospitalization. Baicalein is a component of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, which has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular and liver diseases in Asia. In this study, we investigated whether baicalein can attenuate kidney injury induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, induced by a 40-minute occlusion and a 3-hour reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in addition to causing histological changes in the kidneys. Kidney apoptosis was also significantly increased. Furthermore, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion significantly increased the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 as well as the tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the kidneys. Intravenous pretreatment with baicalein (in doses of 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg), however, significantly reduced the increases in the creatinine level, renal histological damage, and apoptosis induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. In addition, the increases in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, and of tumor necrosis factor-α in the kidneys were significantly reduced. Western blot analysis revealed that baicalein significantly increased Bcl-2 and reduced Bax in the kidneys. The phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was also significantly increased. In conclusion, baicalein significantly attenuates kidney injury induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The underlying mechanisms might be related to the inhibition of apoptosis, possibly through the reduction of tumor necrosis factor-α production, the modulation of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the activation of Akt and extracellular signal

  5. Effect of free fatty acids on myocardial function and metabolism in the ischemic dog heart

    PubMed Central

    Kjekshus, John K.; Mjøs, Ole D.

    1972-01-01

    Since elevation of plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) increases myocardial oxygen consumption without influencing mechanical performance in normal hearts, it was the purpose of this study to determine whether FFA would modify mechanical performance at limited oxygen supply. Left coronary blood flow was reduced by gradual clamping of a shunt from the left carotid artery until moderate ventricular dilatation supervened. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), its maximal rate of rise (dP/dt) and stroke volume (SV) were unchanged or slightly reduced. The ischemia resulted in a decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) from 9.7±1.1 ml/min to 7.9±0.8 ml/min, and myocardial lactate uptake was reduced or reversed to excretion. Increasing the plasma concentrations of FFA from 359±47 μEq/1 to 3688±520 μEq/1 by intravenous infusion of a triglyceride emulsion and heparin resulted in further ventricular dilatation, accompanied by increased excretion of lactate. The ventricular decompensation and enhancement of anaerobic myocardial metabolism associated with increased uptake of FFA was not related to changes in coronary flow, MVO2, or LVSP. dP/dt and SV were virtually unchanged. Intravenous infusion of glucose/insulin, which lowered plasma concentrations of FFA, reversed ventricular dilatation and lactate excretion. The data support the hypothesis that high concentrations of FFA play a significant role in increasing myocardial oxygen requirement and thereby promote depression of contractility of the hypoxic heart in experimental animals. Images PMID:5032525

  6. Ultrasound imaging of propagation of myocardial contraction for non-invasive identification of myocardial ischemia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsuno, Yuya; Taki, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Hiroaki; Hirano, Michinori; Morosawa, Susumu; Shimokawa, Hiroaki; Kanai, Hiroshi

    2017-07-01

    Non-invasive identification of ischemic regions is important for diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction. In the present study, ultrasound measurement was applied to the interventricular septum of three open-chest swine hearts. The properties of the myocardial contraction response of the septum were compared between normal and acute ischemic conditions, where the acute ischemic condition of the septum originated from direct avascularization of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The result showed that the contraction response propagated from the basal side to the apical side along the septum. The estimated propagation velocities in the normal and acute ischemic conditions were 3.6 and 1.9 m/s, respectively. This finding indicates that acute ischemia which occurred 5 s after the avascularization of the LAD promptly suppressed the propagation velocity through the ventricular septum to about half the normal velocity. It was suggested that the myocardial ischemic region could be identified using the difference in the propagation velocity of the myocardial response to contraction.

  7. Tissue-Informative Mechanism for Wearable Non-invasive Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woo, Sung Hun; Choi, Yun Young; Kim, Dae Jung; Bien, Franklin; Kim, Jae Joon

    2014-10-01

    Accurate continuous direct measurement of the blood pressure is currently available thru direct invasive methods via intravascular needles, and is mostly limited to use during surgical procedures or in the intensive care unit (ICU). Non-invasive methods that are mostly based on auscultation or cuff oscillometric principles do provide relatively accurate measurement of blood pressure. However, they mostly involve physical inconveniences such as pressure or stress on the human body. Here, we introduce a new non-invasive mechanism of tissue-informative measurement, where an experimental phenomenon called subcutaneous tissue pressure equilibrium is revealed and related for application in detection of absolute blood pressure. A prototype was experimentally verified to provide an absolute blood pressure measurement by wearing a watch-type measurement module that does not cause any discomfort. This work is supposed to contribute remarkably to the advancement of continuous non-invasive mobile devices for 24-7 daily-life ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring.

  8. Evaluation of the novel myocardial perfusion positron-emission tomography tracer 18F-BMS-747158-02: comparison to 13N-ammonia and validation with microspheres in a pig model.

    PubMed

    Nekolla, S G; Reder, S; Saraste, A; Higuchi, T; Dzewas, G; Preissel, A; Huisman, M; Poethko, T; Schuster, T; Yu, M; Robinson, S; Casebier, D; Henke, J; Wester, H J; Schwaiger, M

    2009-05-05

    Positron-emission tomography (PET) tracers for myocardial perfusion are commonly labeled with short-lived isotopes that limit their widespread clinical use. 18F-BMS-747158-02 (18F-BMS) is a novel pyridaben derivative that was evaluated for assessment of myocardial perfusion by comparison with 13N-ammonia (13NH3) and with radioactive microspheres in a pig model. Fourteen pigs injected with 500 MBq of 13NH3 or 100 to 200 MBq of 18F-BMS underwent dynamic PET at rest and during pharmacological stress. In 8 of these pigs, 18F-BMS was injected during stress combined with transient, 2.5-minute constriction of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Radioactive microspheres were coinjected with 18F-BMS. Ratios of myocardial tracer uptake to surrounding tissues were determined, and myocardial blood flow was quantified by compartmental modeling. Both tracers showed high and homogeneous myocardial uptake. Compared with 13NH3, 18F-BMS showed higher activity ratios between myocardium and blood (rest 2.5 versus 4.1; stress 2.1 versus 5.8), liver (rest 1.2 versus 1.8; stress 0.7 versus 2.0), and lungs (rest 2.5 versus 4.2; stress 2.9 versus 6.4). Regional myocardial blood flow assessed with 18F-BMS PET showed good correlation (r=0.88, slope=0.84) and agreement (mean difference -0.10 [25th percentile -0.3, 75th percentile 0.1 mL x min(-1) x g(-1)]) with that measured with radioactive microspheres over a flow range from 0.1 to 3.0 mL x min(-1) x g(-1). The extent of defects induced by left anterior descending coronary artery constriction measured by 18F-BMS and microspheres also correlated closely (r=0.63, slope=1.1). 18F-BMS-747158-02 is a very attractive new PET perfusion tracer that allows quantitative assessment of regional myocardial perfusion over a wide flow range. The long half-life of 18F renders this tracer useful for clinical PET/CT applications in the workup of patients with suspected or proven coronary artery disease.

  9. Myocardial oedema in acute myocarditis detected by echocardiographic 2D myocardial deformation analysis.

    PubMed

    Løgstrup, B B; Nielsen, J M; Kim, W Y; Poulsen, S H

    2016-09-01

    The clinical diagnosis of acute myocarditis is based on symptoms, electrocardiography, elevated myocardial necrosis biomarkers, and echocardiography. Often, conventional echocardiography reveals no obvious changes in global cardiac function and therefore has limited diagnostic value. Myocardial deformation imaging by echocardiography is an evolving method used to characterize quantitatively longitudinal systolic function, which may be affected in acute myocarditis. The aim of our study was to assess the utility of echocardiographic deformation imaging of the left ventricle in patients with diagnosed acute myocarditis in whom cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) evaluation was performed. We included 28 consecutive patients (mean age 32 ± 13 years) with CMR-verified diagnosis of acute myocarditis according to the Lake Louise criteria. Cardiac function was evaluated by a comprehensive assessment of left ventricular (LV) function, including 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography. We found no significant correlation between the peak values of cardiac enzymes and the amount of myocardial oedema assessed by CMR (troponin: r= 0.3; P = 0.05 and CK-MB: r = 0.1; P = 0.3). We found a larger amount of myocardial oedema in the basal part of the left ventricle [American Heart Association (AHA) segments 1-6] in inferolateral and inferior segments, compared with the anterior, anterolateral, anteroseptal, and inferoseptal segments. In the mid LV segments (AHA segments 7-12), this was more pronounced in the anterior, anterolateral, and inferolateral segments. Among conventional echocardiographic parameters, LV function was not found to correlate with the amount of myocardial oedema of the left ventricle. In contrast, we found the wall motion score index to be significantly correlated with the amount of myocardial oedema, but this correlation was only present in patients with an extensive amount of oedema (>11% of the total left ventricle). Global longitudinal systolic myocardial

  10. Taxonomy of segmental myocardial systolic dysfunction.

    PubMed

    McDiarmid, Adam K; Pellicori, Pierpaolo; Cleland, John G; Plein, Sven

    2017-04-01

    The terms used to describe different states of myocardial health and disease are poorly defined. Imprecision and inconsistency in nomenclature can lead to difficulty in interpreting and applying trial outcomes to clinical practice. In particular, the terms 'viable' and 'hibernating' are commonly applied interchangeably and incorrectly to myocardium that exhibits chronic contractile dysfunction in patients with ischaemic heart disease. The range of inherent differences amongst imaging modalities used to define myocardial health and disease add further challenges to consistent definitions. The results of several large trials have led to renewed discussion about the classification of dysfunctional myocardial segments. This article aims to describe the diverse myocardial pathologies that may affect the myocardium in ischaemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, and how they may be assessed with non-invasive imaging techniques in order to provide a taxonomy of myocardial dysfunction. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

  11. Patient motion effects on the quantification of regional myocardial blood flow with dynamic PET imaging.

    PubMed

    Hunter, Chad R R N; Klein, Ran; Beanlands, Rob S; deKemp, Robert A

    2016-04-01

    Patient motion is a common problem during dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) scans for quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF). The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of body motion in a clinical setting and evaluate with realistic phantoms the effects of motion on blood flow quantification, including CT attenuation correction (CTAC) artifacts that result from PET-CT misalignment. A cohort of 236 sequential patients was analyzed for patient motion under resting and peak stress conditions by two independent observers. The presence of motion, affected time-frames, and direction of motion was recorded; discrepancy between observers was resolved by consensus review. Based on these results, patient body motion effects on MBF quantification were characterized using the digital NURBS-based cardiac-torso phantom, with characteristic time activity curves (TACs) assigned to the heart wall (myocardium) and blood regions. Simulated projection data were corrected for attenuation and reconstructed using filtered back-projection. All simulations were performed without noise added, and a single CT image was used for attenuation correction and aligned to the early- or late-frame PET images. In the patient cohort, mild motion of 0.5 ± 0.1 cm occurred in 24% and moderate motion of 1.0 ± 0.3 cm occurred in 38% of patients. Motion in the superior/inferior direction accounted for 45% of all detected motion, with 30% in the superior direction. Anterior/posterior motion was predominant (29%) in the posterior direction. Left/right motion occurred in 24% of cases, with similar proportions in the left and right directions. Computer simulation studies indicated that errors in MBF can approach 500% for scans with severe patient motion (up to 2 cm). The largest errors occurred when the heart wall was shifted left toward the adjacent lung region, resulting in a severe undercorrection for attenuation of the heart wall. Simulations also indicated that the

  12. Patient motion effects on the quantification of regional myocardial blood flow with dynamic PET imaging

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hunter, Chad R. R. N.; Kemp, Robert A. de, E-mail: RAdeKemp@ottawaheart.ca; Klein, Ran

    Purpose: Patient motion is a common problem during dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) scans for quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF). The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence of body motion in a clinical setting and evaluate with realistic phantoms the effects of motion on blood flow quantification, including CT attenuation correction (CTAC) artifacts that result from PET–CT misalignment. Methods: A cohort of 236 sequential patients was analyzed for patient motion under resting and peak stress conditions by two independent observers. The presence of motion, affected time-frames, and direction of motion was recorded; discrepancy between observers wasmore » resolved by consensus review. Based on these results, patient body motion effects on MBF quantification were characterized using the digital NURBS-based cardiac-torso phantom, with characteristic time activity curves (TACs) assigned to the heart wall (myocardium) and blood regions. Simulated projection data were corrected for attenuation and reconstructed using filtered back-projection. All simulations were performed without noise added, and a single CT image was used for attenuation correction and aligned to the early- or late-frame PET images. Results: In the patient cohort, mild motion of 0.5 ± 0.1 cm occurred in 24% and moderate motion of 1.0 ± 0.3 cm occurred in 38% of patients. Motion in the superior/inferior direction accounted for 45% of all detected motion, with 30% in the superior direction. Anterior/posterior motion was predominant (29%) in the posterior direction. Left/right motion occurred in 24% of cases, with similar proportions in the left and right directions. Computer simulation studies indicated that errors in MBF can approach 500% for scans with severe patient motion (up to 2 cm). The largest errors occurred when the heart wall was shifted left toward the adjacent lung region, resulting in a severe undercorrection for attenuation of the heart wall

  13. The Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP)

    PubMed Central

    Smeeth, Liam; Walker, Lynne; Weston, Clive

    2010-01-01

    Aims of MINAP To audit the quality of care of patients with acute coronary syndrome and provide a resource for academic research. Quality of care interventions Feedback to hospitals, ambulance services and cardiac networks regarding benchmarking of performance against national standards and targets. Setting All 230 acute hospitals in England and Wales. Years: 2000-present. Population Consecutive patients, unconsented. Current number of records: 735 000. Startpoints Any acute coronary syndrome, including non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, ST-elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Baseline data 123 fields covering demographic factors, co-morbid conditions and treatment in hospital. No blood resource. Data capture Manual entry by clerks, nurses or doctors onto Lotus Notes; non-financial incentives at hospital level. Data quality Hospitals perform an annual data validation study, where data are re-entered from the case notes in 20 randomly selected records that are held on the server. In 2008 data were >90% complete for 20 key fields, with >80% completeness for all but four of the remaining fields. Endpoints and linkages to other data All-cause mortality is obtained through linkage with Office for National Statistics. No other linkages exist at present. Access to data Available for research and audit by application to the MINAP Academic Group. http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/CLINICAL-STANDARDS/ORGANISATION/PARTNERSHIP/Pages/MINAP-.aspx. PMID:20659944

  14. [Myocardial viability: update in nuclear cardiology].

    PubMed

    Vallejo, Enrique

    2007-01-01

    Evaluation of myocardial viability with the aid of radionuclides, is a technique that offers reliable, reproducible information, with an attractive cost-benefit relationship, in the study of the myocardial viability, integrating cardiac molecular, metabolic, and functional aspects. Nowadays, coronary risk stratification in post-myocardial infarction patients pretends to locate them as low-, intermediate, and high risk-subjects that can suffer cardiovascular complications in the very near future. Low-risk patients are characterized by a cardiac-related mortality below 1%, whereas high-risk mortality is greater than 3%. Because of clinical complications following a myocardial infarction are observed during the first month of evolution, clinical guidelines suggest to evaluate the cardiovascular risk before hospital discharge.

  15. Imaging of Myocardial Fatty Acid Oxidation

    PubMed Central

    Mather, Kieren J; DeGrado, Tim

    2016-01-01

    Myocardial fuel selection is a key feature of the health and function of the heart, with clear links between myocardial function and fuel selection and important impacts of fuel selection on ischemia tolerance. Radiopharmaceuticals provide uniquely valuable tools for in vivo, non-invasive assessment of these aspects of cardiac function and metabolism. Here we review the landscape of imaging probes developed to provide noninvasive assessment of myocardial fatty acid oxidation (MFAO). Also, we review the state of current knowledge that myocardial fatty acid imaging has helped establish of static and dynamic fuel selection that characterizes cardiac and cardiometabolic disease and the interplay between fuel selection and various aspects of cardiac function. PMID:26923433

  16. Myocardial Blood Flow in Man: Effects of Coronary Collateral Circulation and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

    PubMed Central

    Smith, Sidney C.; Gorlin, Richard; Herman, Michael V.; Taylor, Warren J.; Collins, John J.

    1972-01-01

    The effects of coronary artery bypass graft (CAB) and coronary collaterals (CC) on myocardial blood flow (MBF) were studied in 24 patients undergoing 29 CAB's. MBF after CAB was compared to preexisting MBF by intraoperatively injecting 133xenon via distal CAB with proximal CAB first occluded then open. Pressure gradients across bypassed obstructions were measured. The results were correlated with preoperative coronary arteriograms to determine the effects of CC on MBF and postobstructive perfusion pressures. Mean MBF was increased by CAB from 32±6 (se) ml/min per 100 g (CAB occluded) to 118±13 ml/min per 100 g (CAB open). The 133Xe clearance curves with CAB open were resolved into slow (19±2 ml/min per 100 g) and rapid (133±12 ml/min per 100 g) phases, suggesting that MBF remained heterogeneous after CAB. Vessels with less than 80% stenosis by angiography had pressure gradients less than 20 mm Hg across obstructions, high postobstructive perfusion pressures (75±7 mm Hg), and normal MBF (87±6 ml/min per 100 g) even with CAB occluded. Vessels with greater than 80% stenosis or total occlusion by angiography had significant pressure gradients with marked reduction of postobstructive MBF. No significant difference in postobstructive MBF was found when vessels with CC (21±4 ml/min per 100 g) were compared to those without CC (17±4 ml/min per 100 g) (P > 0.4). These studies demonstrate that (a) mean MBF increased 268% after CAB, (b) heterogeneous MBF persisted after CAB, (c) CC were not associated with significant increases in MBF, and (d) vessels with less than 80% stenosis had less than 20 mm Hg gradient with minimal effect on resting MBF. Images PMID:5056655

  17. Changing paradigms in thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Gotsman, M S; Rozenman, Y; Admon, D; Mosseri, M; Lotan, C; Zahger, D; Weiss, A T

    1997-05-23

    Acute myocardial infarction occurs when a ruptured coronary artery plaque causes sudden thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery and cessation of coronary artery blood flow. This paper reviews the underlying coronary pathology in progressive coronary atherosclerosis, mechanisms of plaque rupture and arterial occlusion and the time relationship between coronary occlusion and myocardial necrosis. Reperfusion can be achieved by chemical thrombolysis with different thrombolytic agents. Early lysis is achieved best by prehospital administration, a transtelephonic monitor, a mobile intensive care unit, active general practitioner treatment or by warning the emergency room of impending arrival of a patient. Thrombolytic therapy may be unsuccessful and not achieve Grade III TIMI flow in less than 4 h (or even 2 h) due to inadequate or intermittent perfusion or reocclusion. Adjuvant therapy includes aspirin and platelet receptor antagonists. Bleeding is a constant danger. Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may be as effective or better than chemical thrombolysis. Reperfusion protects the myocardium and salvages viable tissue. It also improves mechanical remodelling of the ventricle. Long-term follow-up has shown that quantum leaps of fresh coronary occlusion causes step-wise progression in patient disability and that further early, prompt reperfusion can salvage myocardium and prevent this inexorable progress of the disease.

  18. Diagnostics on acute myocardial infarction: Cardiac troponin biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Fathil, M F M; Md Arshad, M K; Gopinath, Subash C B; Hashim, U; Adzhri, R; Ayub, R M; Ruslinda, A R; Nuzaihan M N, M; Azman, A H; Zaki, M; Tang, Thean-Hock

    2015-08-15

    Acute myocardial infarction or myocardial infarction (MI) is a major health problem, due to diminished flow of blood to the heart, leads to higher rates of mortality and morbidity. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) accounted 30% of global death annually and expected more than 23 million die annually by 2030. This fatal effects trigger the need of appropriate biomarkers for early diagnosis, thus countermeasure can be taken. At the moment, the most specific markers for cardiac injury are cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) which have been considered as 'gold standard'. Due to higher specificity, determination of the level of cardiac troponins became a predominant indicator for MI. Several ways of diagnostics have been formulated, which include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent, fluoro-immunoassays, electrical detections, surface plasmon resonance, and colorimetric protein assay. This review represents and elucidates the strategies, methods and detection levels involved in these diagnostics on cardiac superior biomarkers. The advancement, sensitivity, and limitations of each method are also discussed. In addition, it concludes with a discussion on the point-of care (POC) assay for a fast, accurate and ability of handling small sample measurement of cardiac biomarker. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Calpain inhibition preserves myocardial structure and function following myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Mani, Santhosh K; Balasubramanian, Sundaravadivel; Zavadzkas, Juozas A; Jeffords, Laura B; Rivers, William T; Zile, Michael R; Mukherjee, Rupak; Spinale, Francis G; Kuppuswamy, Dhandapani

    2009-11-01

    Cardiac pathology, such as myocardial infarction (MI), activates intracellular proteases that often trigger programmed cell death and contribute to maladaptive changes in myocardial structure and function. To test whether inhibition of calpain, a Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine protease, would prevent these changes, we used a mouse MI model. Calpeptin, an aldehydic inhibitor of calpain, was intravenously administered at 0.5 mg/kg body wt before MI induction and then at the same dose subcutaneously once per day. Both calpeptin-treated (n = 6) and untreated (n = 6) MI mice were used to study changes in myocardial structure and function after 4 days of MI, where end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were measured by echocardiography. Calpain activation and programmed cell death were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). In MI mice, calpeptin treatment resulted in a significant improvement in EF [EF decreased from 67 + or - 2% pre-MI to 30 + or - 4% with MI only vs. 41 + or - 2% with MI + calpeptin] and attenuated the increase in EDV [EDV increased from 42 + or - 2 microl pre-MI to 73 + or - 4 microl with MI only vs. 55 + or - 4 microl with MI + calpeptin]. Furthermore, calpeptin treatment resulted in marked reduction in calpain- and caspase-3-associated changes and TUNEL staining. These studies indicate that calpain contributes to MI-induced alterations in myocardial structure and function and that it could be a potential therapeutic target in treating MI patients.

  20. Nitrogen-13-labeled ammonia for myocardial imaging.

    PubMed

    Walsh, W F; Fill, H R; Harper, P V

    1977-01-01

    Cyclotron-produced nitrogen-13 (half-life 10 min), as labeled ammonia (13NH4+), has been evaluated as a myocardial perfusion imaging agent. The regional myocardial uptake of 13NH4+ has been shown to be proportional to regional tissue perfusion in animal studies. Intravenously administered 13NH4+ is rapidly cleared from the circulation, being extracted by the liver (15%), lungs, myocardium (2%-4%), brain, kidney, and bladder. Myocardial ammonia is metabolized mainly to glutamine via the glutamine synthetase pathway. Pulmonary uptake is substantial, but usually transient, except in smokers where clearance may be delayed. The position annihilation irradiation (511 keV) of 13N may be imaged with a scintillation camera, using either a specially designed tungsten collimator or a pinhole collimator. After early technical problems with collimation and the production method of 13NH4+ were overcome, reproducible high quality myocardial images were consistently obtained. The normal myocardial image was established to be of a homogeneous "doughnut" configuration. Imaging studies performed in patients with varying manifestations of ischemic and valvular heart disease showed a high incidence of localized perfusion defects, especially in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Sequential studies at short intervals in patients with acute infarction showed correlation between alterations in regional perfusion and the clinical course of the patient. It is concluded that myocardial imaging with 13NH4+ and a scintillation camera provides a valid and noninvasive means of assessing regional myocardial perfusion. This method is especially suitable for sequential studies of acute cardiac patients at short intervals. Coincidence imaging of the 511 keV annihilation irradiation provides a tomographic and potentially quantitative assessment of the regional myocardial uptake of 13NH4+.

  1. Comparison of two software systems for quantification of myocardial blood flow in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Yalcin, Hulya; Valenta, Ines; Zhao, Min; Tahari, Abdel; Lu, Dai-Yin; Higuchi, Takahiro; Yalcin, Fatih; Kucukler, Nagehan; Soleimanifard, Yalda; Zhou, Yun; Pomper, Martin G; Abraham, Theodore P; Tsui, Ben; Lodge, Martin A; Schindler, Thomas H; Roselle Abraham, M

    2018-01-22

    Quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) by positron emission tomography (PET) is important for investigation of angina in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Several software programs exist for MBF quantification, but they have been mostly evaluated in patients (with normal cardiac geometry), referred for evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Software performance has not been evaluated in HCM patients who frequently have hyperdynamic LV function, LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, small LV cavity size, and variation in the degree/location of LV hypertrophy. We compared results of MBF obtained using PMod, which permits manual segmentation, to those obtained by FDA-approved QPET software which has an automated segmentation algorithm. 13 N-ammonia PET perfusion data were acquired in list mode at rest and during pharmacologic vasodilation, in 76 HCM patients and 10 non-HCM patients referred for evaluation of CAD (CAD group.) Data were resampled to create static, ECG-gated and 36-frame-dynamic images. Myocardial flow reserve (MFR) and MBF (in ml/min/g) were calculated using QPET and PMod softwares. All HCM patients had asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and 50% had evidence of LVOT obstruction, whereas non-HCM patients (CAD group) had normal wall thickness and ejection fraction. PMod yielded significantly higher values for global and regional stress-MBF and MFR than for QPET in HCM. Reasonably fair correlation was observed for global rest-MBF, stress-MBF, and MFR using these two softwares (rest-MBF: r = 0.78; stress-MBF: r = 0.66.; MFR: r = 0.7) in HCM patients. Agreement between global MBF and MFR values improved when HCM patients with high spillover fractions (> 0.65) were excluded from the analysis (rest-MBF: r = 0.84; stress-MBF: r = 0.72; MFR: r = 0.8.) Regionally, the highest agreement between PMod and QPET was observed in the LAD territory (rest-MBF: r = 0.82, Stress-MBF: r = 0.68) where spillover fraction was the lowest. Unlike HCM

  2. Hibernating myocardium, morphological studies on intraoperatory myocardial biopsies and on chronic ischemia experimental model.

    PubMed

    Laky, D; Parascan, Liliana

    2007-01-01

    Hibernating myocardium represent a prolonged but potentially reversible myocardial contractile dysfunction, an incomplete adaptation caused by chronic myocardial ischemia and persisting at least until blood flow restored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological changes and weather relations exist among function, metabolism and structure in left ventricular hibernating myocardium. Material and methods. Experimental study is making on 12 dogs incomplete coronary obstruction during six weeks for morphologic studies of ischemic zones. On 48 patients with coronary stenosis myocardial biopsies was effectuated during aorto-coronarian bypass graft. On 60 patients with valvular disease associated with segmental coronary atherosclerotic obstructions during surgical interventions on a effectuated repeatedly biopsies from ischemic zones. Dyskinetic ischemic areas was identified by angiography, scintigraphy, low dose dobutamine echography to identify the cells viability. On myocardial biopsies various histological, histoenzymological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods were performed. The morphological cardiomyocytic changes can summarized: loss of myofilaments, accumulation of glycogen, small mitochondria with reversible lesions, decrease of smooth reticulum, absence of T tubules, depression of titin in puncted pattern, loss of cardiotonin, disorganization of cytoskeleton, dispersed nuclear heterochromatin, embryofetal dedifferentiation, and persistence of viability. Extracellular matrix is enlarged with early matrix protein such fibronectin, tenascin, fibroblasts. In experimental material the morphological changes present similarities with the human biopsies, but intermixed with postinfarction scar tissue. Redifferentiation of hibernanting cells end remodeling of extracellular matrix is possible after quigle revascularization through aorto-coronary bypass grafts.

  3. Non-Invasive Detection of Risk for Emotion Provoked Myocardial Ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Burg, Matthew M.; Graeber, Brendon; Vashist, Aseem; Collins, Dorothea; Earley, Christine; Liu, Joyce; Lampert, Rachel; Soufer, Robert

    2009-01-01

    Objectives To test an easily administered, noninvasive technology to identify vulnerability to mental stress ischemia. Background Myocardial ischemia provoked by emotional stress (MSI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) predicts major adverse cardiac events. A clinically useful tool to risk stratify patients on this factor is not available. Methods Patients with documented CAD (n=68) underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging concurrent with pulse wave amplitude assessment by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) during a mental stress protocol of sequential rest and anger stress periods. Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed, and blood was drawn for catecholamine assay, during rest and stress. MSI was defined by the presence of a new perfusion defect during anger stress (n=26) and the ratio of stress to rest PAT response was calculated. Results Patients with MSI had a significantly lower PAT ratio than those without MSI (0.76 ± 0.04 vs. 0.91 ± 0.05, p=0.03). An ROC curve for optimum sensitivity/specificity of PAT ratio as an index of MSI produced a sensitivity of 0.62 and a specificity of 0.63. Among patients taking angiotensin converter enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the sensitivity and specificity of the test increased to 0.86 and 0.73 (respectively); 90% of patients without MSI were correctly identified. Conclusions PAT in concert with ACE inhibition may provide a useful approach to assess risk for MSI. Future studies should help determine how best to utilize this approach for risk assessment in the clinical setting. PMID:18941131

  4. Design Approaches to Myocardial and Vascular Tissue Engineering.

    PubMed

    Akintewe, Olukemi O; Roberts, Erin G; Rim, Nae-Gyune; Ferguson, Michael A H; Wong, Joyce Y

    2017-06-21

    Engineered tissues represent an increasingly promising therapeutic approach for correcting structural defects and promoting tissue regeneration in cardiovascular diseases. One of the challenges associated with this approach has been the necessity for the replacement tissue to promote sufficient vascularization to maintain functionality after implantation. This review highlights a number of promising prevascularization design approaches for introducing vasculature into engineered tissues. Although we focus on encouraging blood vessel formation within myocardial implants, we also discuss techniques developed for other tissues that could eventually become relevant to engineered cardiac tissues. Because the ultimate solution to engineered tissue vascularization will require collaboration between wide-ranging disciplines such as developmental biology, tissue engineering, and computational modeling, we explore contributions from each field.

  5. Protective effect of the combinations of glycyrrhizic, ferulic and cinnamic acid pretreatment on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

    PubMed Central

    GAO, YUQIN; HAO, JIPING; ZHANG, HONGKAO; QIAN, GUOQIANG; JIANG, RENWANG; HU, JING; WANG, JIANING; LEI, ZHANG; ZHAO, GUOPING

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to find an effective drug cocktail pretreatment to protect myocardial tissue of the heart from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The mechanisms underlying the effects of the drug cocktail were subsequently explored in order to expand the application of Dang-gui-si-ni-tang (DGSN), a Traditional Chinese Medicine. The active components of DGSN in the serum following oral administration were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were then analyzed to show the effect of the active components in the treatment of myocardial I/R injury. An L16 (44) orthogonal experiment was utilized to determine the most effective cocktail mix and the mechanism underlying the effect of this mix on myocardial I/R injury was investigated. It was observed that FCG, a mixture of glycyrrhizic (50 mg/kg), cinnamic (200 mg/kg) and ferulic (300 mg/kg) acid, was the optimal drug cocktail present in DGSN. This was absorbed into the blood following oral administration and was shown to decrease MDA levels and increase the activity of SOD. In conclusion, the findings suggest that FCG, a combination of active ingredients in the DGSN decoction, can be absorbed into the blood and protect the myocardium from I/R injury. PMID:25574212

  6. A relative quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion by first-pass technique: animal study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Jun; Zhang, Zhang; Yu, Xuefang; Zhou, Kenneth J.

    2015-03-01

    The purpose of this study is to quantitatively assess the myocardial perfusion by first-pass technique in swine model. Numerous techniques based on the analysis of Computed Tomography (CT) Hounsfield Unit (HU) density have emerged. Although these methods proposed to be able to assess haemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis, their limitations are noticed. There are still needs to develop some new techniques. Experiments were performed upon five (5) closed-chest swine. Balloon catheters were placed into the coronary artery to simulate different degrees of luminal stenosis. Myocardial Blood Flow (MBF) was measured using color microsphere technique. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) was measured using pressure wire. CT examinations were performed twice during First-pass phase under adenosine-stress condition. CT HU Density (HUDCT) and CT HU Density Ratio (HUDRCT) were calculated using the acquired CT images. Our study presents that HUDRCT shows a good (y=0.07245+0.09963x, r2=0.898) correlation with MBF and FFR. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, HUDRCT provides excellent diagnostic performance for the detection of significant ischemia during adenosine-stress as defined by FFR indicated by the value of Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.927. HUDRCT has the potential to be developed as a useful indicator of quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion.

  7. Research report: the effects of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning on myocardial biomarkers of cardioprotection in patients having coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

    PubMed

    Jeysen, Zivan Yogaratnam; Gerard, Laden; Levant, Guvendik; Cowen, Mike; Cale, Alex; Griffin, Steve

    2011-01-01

    We have previously conducted and reported on the primary endpoint of a clinical study which demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) preconditioning consisting of two 30-minute intervals of 100% oxygen at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) prior to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery leads to an improvement in left ventricular stroke work (LVSW) 24 hours following CABG. In that study, 81 patients were randomized to treatment with HBO2 (HBO2; n = 41) or routine treatment (Control Group; n = 40) prior to surgery. The objective of this manuscript is to further report on the result of the exploratory secondary endpoints from that study, specifically the effects of HBO2 preconditioning on biomarkers of myocardial protection. Intraoperative right atrial biopsies were assessed, via an Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), for the expression of eNOS and HSP72. In this study, no significant differences were observed between the groups with respect to the quantity of myocardial eNOS and HSP72. However, in the HBO2 Group, following ischemia and reperfusion, the quantities of myocardial eNOS and HSP72 were increased. This suggests that HBO2 preconditioning in this group of patients may be capable of inducing endogenous cardioprotection following ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI).

  8. Platelet counts on admission affect coronary flow, myocardial perfusion and left ventricular systolic function after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

    PubMed

    Sharif, Dawod; Abu-Salem, Mira; Sharif-Rasslan, Amal; Rosenschein, Uri

    2017-10-01

    Patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and increased platelet count treated by fibrinolysis have worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that platelet blood count at admission in patients with acute STEMI treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention affects coronary flow, myocardial perfusion and recovery of left ventricular systolic function. A total of 174 patients presenting with acute anterior STEMI and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included and divided into subgroups of admission platelet blood count of <200 K, 200-300 K, 300-400 K and >400 K. Evaluation of coronary artery flow and myocardial blush grade was performed according to the TIMI criteria. Electrocardiographic ST elevation resolution post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention was evaluated. Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of left anterior descending coronary artery velocities early and late after primary percutaneous coronary intervention and assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion score index (WMSI) of left ventricular and left anterior descending coronary artery territory were performed. Post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention TIMI, myocardial blush grade and ST elevation resolution were similar in all groups. Patients with platelet counts <200 K had higher peak diastolic left anterior descending coronary artery velocity both early and late after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and higher prevalence of left anterior descending coronary artery velocity deceleration time exceeding 600 ms, (45.5% vs. 40%, P<0.05). Patients with platelet counts >400 K presented with worse left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular WMSI and left anterior descending coronary artery WMSI, and before discharge this subgroup had worse left ventricular WMSI and left anterior descending coronary artery WMSI, P<0.01. Patients with anterior STEMI treated by primary

  9. Detecting Myocardial Ischemia With 99mTechnetium-Tetrofosmin Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Ischemic Stroke.

    PubMed

    Giannopoulos, Sotirios; Markoula, Sofia; Sioka, Chrissa; Zouroudi, Sofia; Spiliotopoulou, Maria; Naka, Katerina K; Michalis, Lampros K; Fotopoulos, Andreas; Kyritsis, Athanassios P

    2017-10-01

    To assess the myocardial status in patients with stroke, employing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 99m Technetium-tetrofosmin ( 99m Tc-TF)-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Fifty-two patients with ischemic stroke were subjected to 99m Tc-TF-SPECT MPI within 1 month after stroke occurrence. None of the patients had any history or symptoms of coronary artery disease or other heart disease. Myocardial perfusion imaging was evaluated visually using a 17-segment polar map. Myocardial ischemia (MIS) was defined as present when the summed stress score (SSS) was >4; MIS was defined as mild when SSS was 4 to 8, and moderate/severe with SSS ≥9. Patients with SSS >4 were compared to patients with SSS <4. Parameters such as age, body mass index, waist perimeter, smoking habits, and medical history (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, etc) were evaluated according to MPI results. Myocardial ischemia was present in 32 (62%) of 52 patients with stroke. Among them, 20 (62%) of 32 patients had mild abnormalities and 12 (38%) of 32 had moderate/severe. The age and waist perimeter showed a tendency to relate to severe MIS when patients with SSS >9 were compared to patients with SSS <4. In MPI-positive patients, an age was to be association with SSS, with the oldest age exhibiting the highest SSS ( P = .01). The association of age with SSS remained statistically significant in the multivariate analysis ( P = .04). The study suggested that more than half of patients with stroke without a history of cardiac disease have MIS. Although most of them have mild MIS, we suggest a thorough cardiological evaluation in this group of patients for future prevention of severe myocardial outcome.

  10. Risk for myocardial infarction and stroke after community-acquired bacteremia: a 20-year population-based cohort study.

    PubMed

    Dalager-Pedersen, Michael; Søgaard, Mette; Schønheyder, Henrik Carl; Nielsen, Henrik; Thomsen, Reimar Wernich

    2014-04-01

    Infections may trigger acute cardiovascular events, but the risk after community-acquired bacteremia is unknown. We assessed the risk for acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke within 1 year of community-acquired bacteremia. This population-based cohort study was conducted in Northern Denmark. We included 4389 hospitalized medical patients with positive blood cultures obtained on the day of admission. Patients hospitalized with bacteremia were matched with up to 10 general population controls and up to 5 acutely admitted nonbacteremic controls, matched on age, sex, and calendar time. All incident events of myocardial infarction and stroke during the following 365 days were ascertained from population-based healthcare databases. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for myocardial infarction and stroke among bacteremia patients and their controls. The risk for myocardial infarction or stroke was greatly increased within 30 days of community-acquired bacteremia: 3.6% versus 0.2% among population controls (adjusted relative risk, 20.86; 95% CI, 15.38-28.29) and 1.7% among hospitalized controls (adjusted relative risk, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.80-2.65). The risks for myocardial infarction or stroke remained modestly increased from 31 to 180 days after bacteremia in comparison with population controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.18-2.27), but not versus hospitalized controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.69-1.32). No differences in cardiovascular risk were seen after >6 months. Increased 30-day risks were consistently found for a variety of etiologic agents and infectious foci. Community-acquired bacteremia is associated with increased short-term risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

  11. Contribution of voltage-dependent K+ channels to metabolic control of coronary blood flow

    PubMed Central

    Berwick, Zachary C.; Dick, Gregory M.; Moberly, Steven P.; Kohr, Meredith C.; Sturek, Michael; Tune, Johnathan D.

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that KV channels contribute to metabolic control of coronary blood flow and that decreases in KV channel function and/or expression significantly attenuate myocardial oxygen supply-demand balance in the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Experiments were conducted in conscious, chronically instrumented Ossabaw swine fed either a normal maintenance diet or an excess calorie atherogenic diet that produces the clinical phenotype of early MetS. Data were obtained under resting conditions and during graded treadmill exercise before and after inhibition of KV channels with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.3 mg/kg, i.v.). In lean-control swine, 4-AP reduced coronary blood flow ~15% at rest and ~20% during exercise. Inhibition of KV channels also increased aortic pressure (P < 0.01) while reducing coronary venous Po2 (P < 0.01) at a given level of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVo2). Administration of 4-AP had no effect on coronary blood flow, aortic pressure, or coronary venous Po2 in swine with MetS. The lack of response to 4-AP in MetS swine was associated with a ~20% reduction in coronary KV current (P < 0.01) and decreased expression of KV1.5 channels in coronary arteries (P < 0.01). Together, these data demonstrate that KV channels play an important role in balancing myocardial oxygen delivery with metabolism at rest and during exercise-induced increases in MVo2. Our findings also indicate that decreases in KV channel current and expression contribute to impaired control of coronary blood flow in the MetS. PMID:21771599

  12. Relation of Erectile Dysfunction to Subclinical Myocardial Injury.

    PubMed

    Omland, Torbjørn; Randby, Anna; Hrubos-Strøm, Harald; Røsjø, Helge; Einvik, Gunnar

    2016-12-15

    The circulating concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is an index of subclinical myocardial injury in several patient populations and in the general population. Erectile dysfunction is associated with greater risk for cardiovascular events, but the association with subclinical myocardial injury is not known. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction is associated with greater concentrations of cTnI in the general population. The presence and severity of erectile dysfunction was assessed by administering the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire to 260 men aged 30 to 65 years recruited from a population-based study. Concentrations of cTnI were determined by a high-sensitivity (hs) assay. Hs-cTnI levels were significantly higher in subjects with than in those without erectile dysfunction (median 2.9 vs 1.6 ng/l; p <0.001). Men with erectile dysfunction (i.e., IIEF-5 sum score <22) were also significantly older; had a higher systolic blood pressure, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher augmentation index and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous coronary artery disease than subjects without erectile dysfunction. These covariates were adjusted for in a multivariate linear regression model, yet the IIEF-5 sum score remained significantly negatively associated with the hs-cTnI concentration (standardized β -0.206; p <0.001). In conclusion, the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction is associated with circulating concentrations of hs-cTnI, indicating subclinical myocardial injury independently of cardiovascular risk factors, endothelial dysfunction and heart failure biomarkers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. The role of PET quantification in cardiovascular imaging.

    PubMed

    Slomka, Piotr; Berman, Daniel S; Alexanderson, Erick; Germano, Guido

    2014-08-01

    Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has several clinical and research applications in cardiovascular imaging. Myocardial perfusion imaging with PET allows accurate global and regional measurements of myocardial perfusion, myocardial blood flow and function at stress and rest in one exam. Simultaneous assessment of function and perfusion by PET with quantitative software is currently the routine practice. Combination of ejection fraction reserve with perfusion information may improve the identification of severe disease. The myocardial viability can be estimated by quantitative comparison of fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 FDG) and rest perfusion imaging. The myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve measurements are becoming routinely included in the clinical assessment due to enhanced dynamic imaging capabilities of the latest PET/CT scanners. Absolute flow measurements allow evaluation of the coronary microvascular dysfunction and provide additional prognostic and diagnostic information for coronary disease. Standard quantitative approaches to compute myocardial blood flow from kinetic PET data in automated and rapid fashion have been developed for 13 N-ammonia, 15 O-water and 82 Rb radiotracers. The agreement between software methods available for such analysis is excellent. Relative quantification of 82 Rb PET myocardial perfusion, based on comparisons to normal databases, demonstrates high performance for the detection of obstructive coronary disease. New tracers, such as 18 F-flurpiridaz may allow further improvements in the disease detection. Computerized analysis of perfusion at stress and rest reduces the variability of the assessment as compared to visual analysis. PET quantification can be enhanced by precise coregistration with CT angiography. In emerging clinical applications, the potential to identify vulnerable plaques by quantification of atherosclerotic plaque uptake of 18 FDG and 18 F-sodium fluoride tracers in carotids, aorta and coronary arteries

  14. Enalapril protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in a swine model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Guoxing; Zhang, Qian; Yuan, Wei; Wu, Junyuan; Li, Chunsheng

    2016-01-01

    There is strong evidence to suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) protect against local myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study was designed to explore whether ACEIs exert cardioprotective effects in a swine model of cardiac arrest (CA) and resuscitation. Male pigs were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated group, saline treatment group and enalapril treatment group. Thirty minutes after drug infusion, the animals in the saline and enalapril groups were subjected to ventricular fibrillation (8 min) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (up to 30 min). Cardiac function was monitored, and myocardial tissue and blood were collected for analysis. Enalapril pre-treatment did not improve cardiac function or the 6-h survival rate after CA and resuscitation; however, this intervention ameliorated myocardial ultrastructural damage, reduced the level of plasma cardiac troponin I and decreased myocardial apoptosis. Plasma angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1–7) levels were enhanced in the model of CA and resuscitation. Enalapril reduced the plasma Ang II level at 4 and 6 h after the return of spontaneous circulation whereas enalapril did not affect the plasma Ang-(1–7) level. Enalapril pre-treatment decreased the myocardial mRNA and protein expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Enalapril treatment also reduced the myocardial ACE/ACE2 ratio, both at the mRNA and the protein level. Enalapril pre-treatment did not affect the upregulation of ACE2, Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and MAS after CA and resuscitation. Taken together, these findings suggest that enalapril protects against ischemic injury through the attenuation of the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis after CA and resuscitation in pigs. These results suggest the potential therapeutic value of ACEIs in patients with CA. PMID:27633002

  15. Pharmacological prevention of reperfusion injury in acute myocardial infarction. A potential role for adenosine as a therapeutic agent.

    PubMed

    Quintana, Miguel; Kahan, Thomas; Hjemdahl, Paul

    2004-01-01

    The concept of reperfusion injury, although first recognized from animal studies, is now recognized as a clinical phenomenon that may result in microvascular damage, no-reflow phenomenon, myocardial stunning, myocardial hibernation and ischemic preconditioning. The final consequence of this event is left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The typical clinical case of reperfusion injury occurs in acute myocardial infarction (MI) with ST segment elevation in which an occlusion of a major epicardial coronary artery is followed by recanalization of the artery. This may occur either spontaneously or by means of thrombolysis and/or by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with efficient platelet inhibition by aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), clopidogrel and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Although the pathophysiology of reperfusion injury is complex, the major role that neutrophils play in this process is well known. Neutrophils generate free radicals, degranulation products, arachidonic acid metabolites and platelet-activating factors that interact with endothelial cells, inducing endothelial injury and neutralization of nitrous oxide vasodilator capacity. Adenosine, through its multi-targeted pharmacological actions, is able to inhibit some of the above-mentioned detrimental effects. The net protective of adenosine in in vivo models of reperfusion injury is the reduction of the infarct size, the improvement of the regional myocardial blood flow and of the regional function of the ischemic area. Additionally, adenosine preserves the post-ischemic coronary flow reserve, coronary blood flow and the post-ischemic regional contractility. In small-scale studies in patients with acute MI, treatment with adenosine has been associated with smaller infarcts, less no-reflow phenomenon and improved LV function. During elective PCI adenosine reduced ST segment shifts, lactate production and ischemic symptoms. During the

  16. Protective Effect of Adansonia digitata against Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury in Rats.

    PubMed

    Ghoneim, Mona A M; Hassan, Amal I; Mahmoud, Manal G; Asker, Mohsen S

    2016-01-01

    The baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata) was analyzed for proximate composition, amino acids, and minerals. The fruit pulp was found to be a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, and substantial quantities of K, Ca, and Mg. Amino acid analyses revealed high glutamic and aspartic acid, but the sulfur amino acids were the most limited. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Adansonia digitata (Baobab fruit pulp) against isoproterenol induced myocardial oxidative stress in experimental rats by demonstrating the changes in tissue cardiac markers, some antioxidant enzymes, interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), Collagen-1, galectin-3, and serum corticosterone. The activities of enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) in the heart tissue; additionally, histopathological examination of the heart was estimated. Male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten animals each. Group I served as normal control animal. Group II animals received isoproterenol (ISP) (85 mg/kg body weight intraperitonealy (i.p.) to develop myocardial injury. Group III were myocardial oxidative animals treated with Baobab fruit pulp (200 µg/rats/day) for 4 weeks. Group IV received Baobab fruit pulp only. The data suggested an isoproterenol increase in levels of cardiac marker enzymes [creatine kinase MB (CK- MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], IL-1ß, MCP-1, MPO, Collagen, and galectin-3, with concomitant decrease in the activities GPX and GSH in heart tissue as well as corticosterone in serum. Baobab fruit pulp brings all the parameters to near normal level in ISP-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Histopathological examination of heart tissue of ISP-administered model rat showed infiltration of inflammatory cells and congestion in the blood vessels. However, treatment with Baobab fruit pulp (200

  17. Blunted Myocardial Oxygenation Response During Vasodilator Stress in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Karamitsos, Theodoros D.; Dass, Sairia; Suttie, Joseph; Sever, Emily; Birks, Jacqueline; Holloway, Cameron J.; Robson, Matthew D.; Jerosch-Herold, Michael; Watkins, Hugh; Neubauer, Stefan

    2013-01-01

    Objectives This study sought to assess myocardial perfusion and tissue oxygenation during vasodilator stress in patients with overt hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), as well as in HCM mutation carriers without left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and to compare findings to those in athletes with comparable hypertrophy and normal controls. Background Myocardial perfusion under vasodilator stress is impaired in patients with HCM. Whether this is associated with impaired myocardial oxygenation and tissue ischemia is unknown. Furthermore, it is not known whether perfusion and oxygenation are impaired in HCM mutation carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods A total of 27 patients with overt HCM, 10 HCM mutation carriers without LVH, 11 athletes, and 20 healthy controls underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scanning at 3-T. Myocardial function, perfusion (perfusion reserve index [MPRI]), and oxygenation (blood-oxygen level dependent signal intensity [SI] change) under adenosine stress were assessed. Results MPRI was significantly reduced in HCM (1.3 ± 0.1) compared to controls (1.8 ± 0.1, p < 0.001) and athletes (2.0 ± 0.1, p < 0.001), but remained normal in HCM mutation carriers without LVH (1.7 ± 0.1; p = 0.61 vs. controls, p = 0.02 vs. overt HCM). Oxygenation response was attenuated in overt HCM (SI change 6.9 ± 1.4%) compared to controls (18.9 ± 1.4%, p < 0.0001) and athletes (18.7 ± 2.0%, p < 0.001). Interestingly, HCM mutation carriers without LVH also showed an impaired oxygenation response to adenosine (10.4 ± 2.0%; p = 0.001 vs. controls, p = 0.16 vs. overt HCM, p = 0.003 vs. athletes). Conclusions In overt HCM, both perfusion and oxygenation are impaired during vasodilator stress. However, in HCM mutation carriers without LVH, only oxygenation is impaired. In athletes, stress perfusion and oxygenation are normal. CMR assessment of myocardial oxygenation has the potential to become a novel risk factor in HCM. PMID:23498131

  18. ABO blood group and vascular disease: an update.

    PubMed

    Dentali, Francesco; Sironi, Anna Paola; Ageno, Walter; Crestani, Silvia; Franchini, Massimo

    2014-02-01

    It has been well known for many years that the ABO blood group has a major influence on hemostasis, through its influence on von Willebrand factor and, consequently, factor VIII plasma levels. Although the relationship between non-O blood type and the risk of venous thromboembolism is nowadays also well established, the association with arterial thrombotic events (i.e., myocardial infarction [MI] and ischemic stroke) is less well characterized. To elucidate the latter issue, we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature. After an electronic search strategy using MEDLINE and EMBASE and a manual review of abstract books of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis and of reference lists of all retrieved articles, 28 studies were finally included in our systematic review. The prevalence of non-O blood group was significantly higher in patients with MI (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.40; p < 0.001) and ischemic stroke (pooled OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.35; p = 0.03) than in controls. The restriction of the analysis to high quality studies only confirmed the association with MI (pooled OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.03-1.32) but not with ischemic stroke (pooled OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.94-1.74). In conclusion, the results of our meta-analysis confirm the existing literature evidence of a weak association between non-O blood group and vascular arterial thrombosis, in particular myocardial ischemia. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

  19. Sgarbossa criteria and acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Alang, Neha; Bathina, Jaya; Kranis, Mark; Angelis, Dimitrios

    2010-01-01

    Diagnosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the presence of left bundle branch block is difficult. present a case of acute myocardial infarction with LBBB diagnosed and treated using the Sgarbossa criteria.

  20. Myocardial Fibrosis in Competitive Triathletes Detected by Contrast-Enhanced CMR Correlates With Exercise-Induced Hypertension and Competition History.

    PubMed

    Tahir, Enver; Starekova, Jitka; Muellerleile, Kai; von Stritzky, Alexandra; Münch, Julia; Avanesov, Maxim; Weinrich, Julius M; Stehning, Christian; Bohnen, Sebastian; Radunski, Ulf K; Freiwald, Eric; Blankenberg, Stefan; Adam, Gerhard; Pressler, Axel; Patten, Monica; Lund, Gunnar K

    2017-12-08

    This study analyzed the presence of myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in correlation with the performance of competitive triathletes objectified by an exercise test and individual competition history. Myocardial fibrosis detected by LGE CMR has been reported to occur in 0% to 50% of asymptomatic athletes. However, the cause and mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis are unclear. Eighty-three asymptomatic triathletes undergoing >10 training h per week (43 ± 10 years of age; 65% male) and 36 sedentary controls were studied by using LGE and extracellular volume (ECV) CMR. Parameters of physical fitness were measured by spiroergometry. Triathletes reported their lifetime competition results. LGE CMR revealed focal nonischemic myocardial fibrosis in 9 of 54 (17%) male triathletes (LGE + ) but in none of the female triathletes (p < 0.05). LGE + triathletes had higher peak exercise systolic blood pressure (213 ± 24 mm Hg) than LGE - triathletes (194 ± 26 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Furthermore, left ventricular mass index was higher in LGE + triathletes (93 ± 7 g/m 2 ) than in LGE - triathletes (84 ± 11 g/m 2 ; p < 0.05). ECV in LGE - myocardium was higher in LGE + triathletes (26.3 ± 1.8%) than in LGE - triathletes (24.4 ± 2.2%; p < 0.05). LGE + triathletes completed longer cumulative distances in swimming and cycling races and participated more often in middle and Iron Man distances than LGE - triathletes. A cycling race distance of >1,880 km completed during competition had the highest accuracy to predict LGE, with an area under the curve value of 0.876 (p < 0.0001), resulting in high sensitivity (89%) and specificity (79%). Multivariate analysis identified peak exercise systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) and the swimming race distance (p < 0.01) as independent predictors of LGE presence. Myocardial fibrosis in asymptomatic triathletes seems to be associated with exercise-induced hypertension and

  1. (-) Epicatechin prevents alterations in lysosomal glycohydrolases, cathepsins and reduces myocardial infarct size in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats.

    PubMed

    Prince, Ponnian Stanely Mainzen

    2013-04-15

    The preventive effects of (-) epicatechin on oxidative stress, cardiac mitochondrial damage, altered membrane bound adenosine triphosphatases and minerals were reported previously in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction model. Leakage of lysosomal glycohydrolases and cathepsins play an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. This study was aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of (-) epicatechin on alterations in lysosomal glycohydrolases, cathepsins and myocardial infarct size in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with (-) epicatechin (20mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 21 days. After the pretreatment period, isoproterenol (100mg/kg body weight) was injected subcutaneously into the rats at an interval of 24h for two days to induce myocardial infarction. The levels of serum cardiac troponin-I and the activities of serum and heart lysosomal enzymes (β-glucuronidase, β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, β-galactosidase, cathepsin-B and cathepsin-D) were increased significantly (P<0.05) and the activities of β-glucuronidase and cathepsin-D in the heart lysosomal fractions were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. The in vitro study revealed the potent antioxidant action of (-) epicatechin. Pretreatment with (-) epicatechin daily for a period of 21 days prevented the leakage of cardiac marker, lysosomal glycohydrolases, cathepsins, and reduced infarct size, thereby protecting the lysosomal membranes in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats, by virtue of its membrane stabilizing property. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Forecasting Error Calculation with Mean Absolute Deviation and Mean Absolute Percentage Error

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khair, Ummul; Fahmi, Hasanul; Hakim, Sarudin Al; Rahim, Robbi

    2017-12-01

    Prediction using a forecasting method is one of the most important things for an organization, the selection of appropriate forecasting methods is also important but the percentage error of a method is more important in order for decision makers to adopt the right culture, the use of the Mean Absolute Deviation and Mean Absolute Percentage Error to calculate the percentage of mistakes in the least square method resulted in a percentage of 9.77% and it was decided that the least square method be worked for time series and trend data.

  3. The mitochondria-targeting peptide elamipretide diminishes circulating HtrA2 in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Hortmann, Marcus; Robinson, Samuel; Mohr, Moritz; Mauler, Maximillian; Stallmann, Daniela; Reinöhl, Jochen; Duerschmied, Daniel; Peter, Karlheinz; Carr, James; Gibson, C Michael; Bode, Christoph; Ahrens, Ingo

    2017-05-01

    The extent of myocardial damage in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depends on both the time to reperfusion as well as injury induced by ischaemia-reperfusion resulting in a cascade of cellular and humoral reactions. As a consequence of ischaemia-reperfusion in the heart, the high-temperature requirement serine peptidase 2 (HtrA2) is translocated from the mitochondria to the cytosol, whereupon it induces protease activity-dependent apoptosis mediated via caspases. Myocardial damage induced by reperfusion cannot be monitored due to a current lack in specific biomarkers. We examined the serum level of HtrA2 as a potentially novel biomarker for mitochondrial-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. After informed consent, peripheral blood was obtained from patients ( n=19) with first-time acute anterior STEMI after percutaneous coronary intervention. Within this group, 10 of the patients received the mitochondria-targeting peptide elamipretide (phase 2a clinical study EMBRACE (NCT01572909)). Blood was also obtained from a control group of healthy donors ( n=16). The serum level of HtrA2 was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In a murine model of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury, HtrA2 was determined in plasma by ELISA after left anterior descending artery occlusion. HtrA2 median was significantly increased in patients with STEMI compared to healthy controls 392.4 (240.7-502.8) pg/mL vs. 1805.5 (981.3-2220.1) pg/mL ( P⩽0.05). Elamipretide significantly reduced the HtrA2 median serum level after myocardial infarction 1805.5 (981.3-2220.1) pg/mL vs. 496.5 (379.4-703.8) pg/mL ( P⩽0.05). Left anterior descending artery occlusion in mice significantly increased HtrA2 mean in plasma (117.4 fg/ml±SEM 28.1 vs. 525.2 fg/ml±SEM 96; P⩽0.05). Compared to healthy controls, we found significantly increased serum levels of HtrA2 in patients with STEMI. The result was validated in a murine model of myocardial ischaemia

  4. Quantification of myocardial blood flow with dynamic perfusion 3.0 Tesla MRI: Validation with (15) O-water PET.

    PubMed

    Tomiyama, Yuuki; Manabe, Osamu; Oyama-Manabe, Noriko; Naya, Masanao; Sugimori, Hiroyuki; Hirata, Kenji; Mori, Yuki; Tsutsui, Hiroyuki; Kudo, Kohsuke; Tamaki, Nagara; Katoh, Chietsugu

    2015-09-01

    To develop and validate a method for quantifying myocardial blood flow (MBF) using dynamic perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MBFMRI ) at 3.0 Tesla (T) and compare the findings with those of (15) O-water positron emission tomography (MBFPET ). Twenty healthy male volunteers underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and (15) O-water positron emission tomography (PET) at rest and during adenosine triphosphate infusion. The single-tissue compartment model was used to estimate the inflow rate constant (K1). We estimated the extraction fraction of Gd-DTPA using K1 and MBF values obtained from (15) O-water PET for the first 10 subjects. For validation, we calculated MBFMRI values for the remaining 10 subjects and compared them with the MBFPET values. In addition, we compared MBFMRI values of 10 patients with coronary artery disease with those of healthy subjects. The mean resting and stress MBFMRI values were 0.76 ± 0.10 and 3.04 ± 0.82 mL/min/g, respectively, and showed excellent correlation with the mean MBFPET values (r = 0.96, P < 0.01). The mean stress MBFMRI value was significantly lower for the patients (1.92 ± 0.37) than for the healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The use of dynamic perfusion MRI at 3T is useful for estimating MBF and can be applied for patients with coronary artery disease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Reduced Myocardial Flow Reserve by Positron Emission Tomography Predicts Cardiovascular Events After Cardiac Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Konerman, Matthew C; Lazarus, John J; Weinberg, Richard L; Shah, Ravi V; Ghannam, Michael; Hummel, Scott L; Corbett, James R; Ficaro, Edward P; Aaronson, Keith D; Colvin, Monica M; Koelling, Todd M; Murthy, Venkatesh L

    2018-06-01

    We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of quantification of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) with positron emission tomography (PET) in orthotopic heart transplant patients. We retrospectively identified orthotopic heart transplant patients who underwent rubidium-82 cardiac PET imaging. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, and heart failure hospitalization. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association of MFR with the primary outcome. The relationship of MFR and cardiac allograft vasculopathy severity in patients with angiography within 1 year of PET imaging was assessed using Spearman rank correlation and logistic regression. A total of 117 patients (median age, 60 years; 71% men) were identified. Twenty-one of 62 patients (34%) who underwent angiography before PET had cardiac allograft vasculopathy. The median time from orthotopic heart transplant to PET imaging was 6.4 years (median global MFR, 2.31). After a median of 1.4 years, 22 patients (19%) experienced the primary outcome. On an unadjusted basis, global MFR (hazard ratio, 0.22 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.50; P <0.001) and stress myocardial blood flow (hazard ratio, 0.48 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.79; P =0.004) were associated with the primary outcome. Decreased MFR independently predicted the primary outcome after adjustment for other variables. In 42 patients who underwent angiography within 12 months of PET, MFR and stress myocardial blood flow were associated with moderate-severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy (International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 2-3). MFR assessed by cardiac rubidium-82 PET imaging is a predictor of cardiovascular events after orthotopic heart transplant and is associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy severity. © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.

  6. [Copeptin and ischemia modified albumin in early diagnosis and prognosis of myocardial damage in acute organic phosphorus pesticide poisoning].

    PubMed

    Li, Jing; Zhang, Jianjun; Li, Na; Li, Jia; Liu, Juan; Liu, Qian

    2015-03-01

    To assess the value of combined detection of copeptin and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of myocardial damage in patients with acute organic phosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). A total of 126 AOPP patients were examined for blood copepin and IMA levels and myocardial injury markers within 1 h after admission. Copeptin and IMA levels significantly increased in patients with AOPP compared with those in the control subjects. Copeptin and IMA levels were significantly higher in severe AOPP cases than in mild to moderate cases (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that increased copeptin and IMA levels and severe complications of AOPP were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Early detection of copeptin and IMA levels has important clinical value in early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of myocardial damage in patients with AOPP, and their levels are positively correlated with the severity of the condition.

  7. Biokinetics of radiolabeled Iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (I-123-IPPA) and thallium-201 in a rabbit model of chronic myocardial infarction measured using a series of thermoluminescent dosimeters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Medich, David Christopher

    1997-09-01

    The biokinetics of Iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (123I-IPPA) during a chronic period of myocardial infarction were determined and compared to 201Tl. IPPA was assessed as a perfusion and metabolic tracer in the scintigraphic diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The myocardial clearance kinetics were measured by placing a series of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) on normal and infarcted tissue to measure the local myocardial activity content over time. The arterial blood pool activity was fit to a bi-exponential function for 201Tl and a tri-exponential function for 123I-IPPA to estimate the left ventricle contribution to TLD response. At equilibrium, the blood pool contribution was estimated experimentally to be less than 5% of the total TLD response. The method was unable to resolve the initial uptake of the imaging agent due in part to the 2 minute TLD response integration time and in part to the 30 second lag time for the first TLD placement. A noticeable disparity was observed between the tracer concentrations of IPPA in normal and ischemic tissue of approximately 2:1. The fitting parameters (representing the biokinetic eigenvalue rate constants) were related to the fundamental rate constants of a recycling biokinetic model. The myocardial IPPA content within normal tissue was elevated after approximately 130 minutes post injection. This phenomenon was observed in all but one (950215) of the IPPA TLD kinetics curves.

  8. New Trends in Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Hung, Guang-Uei; Wang, Yuh-Feng; Su, Hung-Yi; Hsieh, Te-Chun; Ko, Chi-Lun; Yen, Ruoh-Fang

    2016-01-01

    Radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been widely used clinically as one of the major functional imaging modalities for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) for decades. Ample evidence has supported the use of MPI as a useful and important tool in the diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment planning for CAD. Although popular in the United States, MPI has become the most frequently used imaging modality among all nuclear medicine tests in Taiwan. However, it should be acknowledged that MPI SPECT does have its limitations. These include false-positive results due to certain artifacts, false-negative due to balanced ischemia, complexity and adverse reaction arising from current pharmacological stressors, time consuming nature of the imaging procedure, no blood flow quantitation and relatively high radiation exposure. The purpose of this article was to review the recent trends in nuclear cardiology, including the utilization of positron emission tomography (PET) for MPI, new stressor, new SPECT camera with higher resolution and higher sensitivity, dynamic SPECT protocol for blood flow quantitation, new software of phase analysis for evaluation of LV dyssynchrony, and measures utilized for reducing radiation exposure of MPI. PMID:27122946

  9. In vivo mouse myocardial (31)P MRS using three-dimensional image-selected in vivo spectroscopy (3D ISIS): technical considerations and biochemical validations.

    PubMed

    Bakermans, Adrianus J; Abdurrachim, Desiree; van Nierop, Bastiaan J; Koeman, Anneke; van der Kroon, Inge; Baartscheer, Antonius; Schumacher, Cees A; Strijkers, Gustav J; Houten, Sander M; Zuurbier, Coert J; Nicolay, Klaas; Prompers, Jeanine J

    2015-10-01

    (31)P MRS provides a unique non-invasive window into myocardial energy homeostasis. Mouse models of cardiac disease are widely used in preclinical studies, but the application of (31)P MRS in the in vivo mouse heart has been limited. The small-sized, fast-beating mouse heart imposes challenges regarding localized signal acquisition devoid of contamination with signal originating from surrounding tissues. Here, we report the implementation and validation of three-dimensional image-selected in vivo spectroscopy (3D ISIS) for localized (31)P MRS of the in vivo mouse heart at 9.4 T. Cardiac (31)P MR spectra were acquired in vivo in healthy mice (n = 9) and in transverse aortic constricted (TAC) mice (n = 8) using respiratory-gated, cardiac-triggered 3D ISIS. Localization and potential signal contamination were assessed with (31)P MRS experiments in the anterior myocardial wall, liver, skeletal muscle and blood. For healthy hearts, results were validated against ex vivo biochemical assays. Effects of isoflurane anesthesia were assessed by measuring in vivo hemodynamics and blood gases. The myocardial energy status, assessed via the phosphocreatine (PCr) to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) ratio, was approximately 25% lower in TAC mice compared with controls (0.76 ± 0.13 versus 1.00 ± 0.15; P < 0.01). Localization with one-dimensional (1D) ISIS resulted in two-fold higher PCr/ATP ratios than measured with 3D ISIS, because of the high PCr levels of chest skeletal muscle that contaminate the 1D ISIS measurements. Ex vivo determinations of the myocardial PCr/ATP ratio (0.94 ± 0.24; n = 8) confirmed the in vivo observations in control mice. Heart rate (497 ± 76 beats/min), mean arterial pressure (90 ± 3.3 mmHg) and blood oxygen saturation (96.2 ± 0.6%) during the experimental conditions of in vivo (31)P MRS were within the normal physiological range. Our results show that respiratory-gated, cardiac-triggered 3D ISIS allows for non-invasive assessments of in vivo

  10. Integrating atlas and graph cut methods for right ventricle blood-pool segmentation from cardiac cine MRI

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dangi, Shusil; Linte, Cristian A.

    2017-03-01

    Segmentation of right ventricle from cardiac MRI images can be used to build pre-operative anatomical heart models to precisely identify regions of interest during minimally invasive therapy. Furthermore, many functional parameters of right heart such as right ventricular volume, ejection fraction, myocardial mass and thickness can also be assessed from the segmented images. To obtain an accurate and computationally efficient segmentation of right ventricle from cardiac cine MRI, we propose a segmentation algorithm formulated as an energy minimization problem in a graph. Shape prior obtained by propagating label from an average atlas using affine registration is incorporated into the graph framework to overcome problems in ill-defined image regions. The optimal segmentation corresponding to the labeling with minimum energy configuration of the graph is obtained via graph-cuts and is iteratively refined to produce the final right ventricle blood pool segmentation. We quantitatively compare the segmentation results obtained from our algorithm to the provided gold-standard expert manual segmentation for 16 cine-MRI datasets available through the MICCAI 2012 Cardiac MR Right Ventricle Segmentation Challenge according to several similarity metrics, including Dice coefficient, Jaccard coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and Mean absolute distance error.

  11. Myocardial Dysfunction and Shock after Cardiac Arrest

    PubMed Central

    Jentzer, Jacob C.; Chonde, Meshe D.; Dezfulian, Cameron

    2015-01-01

    Postarrest myocardial dysfunction includes the development of low cardiac output or ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction after cardiac arrest. Impaired left ventricular systolic function is reported in nearly two-thirds of patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest. Hypotension and shock requiring vasopressor support are similarly common after cardiac arrest. Whereas shock requiring vasopressor support is consistently associated with an adverse outcome after cardiac arrest, the association between myocardial dysfunction and outcomes is less clear. Myocardial dysfunction and shock after cardiac arrest develop as the result of preexisting cardiac pathology with multiple superimposed insults from resuscitation. The pathophysiology involves cardiovascular ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiovascular toxicity from excessive levels of inflammatory cytokine activation and catecholamines, among other contributing factors. Similar mechanisms occur in myocardial dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass, in sepsis, and in stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamic stabilization after resuscitation from cardiac arrest involves restoration of preload, vasopressors to support arterial pressure, and inotropic support if needed to reverse the effects of myocardial dysfunction and improve systemic perfusion. Further research is needed to define the role of postarrest myocardial dysfunction on cardiac arrest outcomes and identify therapeutic strategies. PMID:26421284

  12. Myocardial Dysfunction and Shock after Cardiac Arrest.

    PubMed

    Jentzer, Jacob C; Chonde, Meshe D; Dezfulian, Cameron

    2015-01-01

    Postarrest myocardial dysfunction includes the development of low cardiac output or ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction after cardiac arrest. Impaired left ventricular systolic function is reported in nearly two-thirds of patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest. Hypotension and shock requiring vasopressor support are similarly common after cardiac arrest. Whereas shock requiring vasopressor support is consistently associated with an adverse outcome after cardiac arrest, the association between myocardial dysfunction and outcomes is less clear. Myocardial dysfunction and shock after cardiac arrest develop as the result of preexisting cardiac pathology with multiple superimposed insults from resuscitation. The pathophysiology involves cardiovascular ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiovascular toxicity from excessive levels of inflammatory cytokine activation and catecholamines, among other contributing factors. Similar mechanisms occur in myocardial dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass, in sepsis, and in stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamic stabilization after resuscitation from cardiac arrest involves restoration of preload, vasopressors to support arterial pressure, and inotropic support if needed to reverse the effects of myocardial dysfunction and improve systemic perfusion. Further research is needed to define the role of postarrest myocardial dysfunction on cardiac arrest outcomes and identify therapeutic strategies.

  13. Melatonin protects against myocardial hypertrophy induced by lipopolysaccharide.

    PubMed

    Lu, Qi; Yi, Xin; Cheng, Xiang; Sun, Xiaohui; Yang, Xiangjun

    2015-04-01

    Melatonin is thought to have the ability of antiatherogenic, antioxidant, and vasodilatory. It is not only a promising protective in acute myocardial infarction but is also a useful tool in the treatment of pathological remodeling. However, its role in myocardial hypertrophy remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of melatonin on myocardial hypertrophy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to identify their precise mechanisms. The cultured myocardial cell was divided into six groups: control group, LPS group, LPS + ethanol (4%), LPS + melatonin (1.5 mg/ml) group, LPS + melatonin (3 mg/ml) group, and LPS + melatonin (6 mg/ml) group. The morphologic change of myocardial cell was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope. The protein level of myocardial cell was measured by Coomassie brilliant blue protein kit. The secretion level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ca(2+) transient in Fura-2/AM-loaded cells was measured by Till image system. The expression of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) and calcineurin (CaN) was measured by Western blot analysis. Our data demonstrated that LPS induced myocardial hypertrophy, promoted the secretion levels of TNF-α, and increased Ca(2+) transient level and the expression of CaMKII and CaN. Administration of melatonin 30 min prior to LPS stimulation dose-dependently attenuated myocardial hypertrophy. In conclusion, the results revealed that melatonin had the potential to protect against myocardial hypertrophy induced by LPS in vitro through downregulation of the TNF-α expression and retains the intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis.

  14. 20 CFR 404.1205 - Absolute coverage groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Absolute coverage groups. 404.1205 Section... INSURANCE (1950- ) Coverage of Employees of State and Local Governments What Groups of Employees May Be Covered § 404.1205 Absolute coverage groups. (a) General. An absolute coverage group is a permanent...

  15. 20 CFR 404.1205 - Absolute coverage groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Absolute coverage groups. 404.1205 Section... INSURANCE (1950- ) Coverage of Employees of State and Local Governments What Groups of Employees May Be Covered § 404.1205 Absolute coverage groups. (a) General. An absolute coverage group is a permanent...

  16. 20 CFR 404.1205 - Absolute coverage groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 20 Employees' Benefits 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Absolute coverage groups. 404.1205 Section... INSURANCE (1950- ) Coverage of Employees of State and Local Governments What Groups of Employees May Be Covered § 404.1205 Absolute coverage groups. (a) General. An absolute coverage group is a permanent...

  17. Cocaine, a risk factor for myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Galasko, G I

    1997-06-01

    Cocaine usage goes back thousands of years, to the times of the Incas. Over the past 20 years, its use has increased dramatically, especially in America, and adverse cardiovascular reactions to the drug have begun to be reported. The first report of myocardial infarction temporally related to the recreational use of cocaine appeared in 1982. Since then, myocardial infarction has become recognized as the drug's most common cardiovascular consequence, with over 250 cases now documented in the literature. This review discusses the history of cocaine use, its pharmacology, the possible pathological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of myocardial ischaemia and infarction, and current ideas on the management of cocaine-induced myocardial infarction.

  18. Self-rated health and standard risk factors for myocardial infarction: a cohort study.

    PubMed

    Waller, Göran; Janlert, Urban; Norberg, Margareta; Lundqvist, Robert; Forssén, Annika

    2015-02-13

    To investigate the relationship between self-rated health, adjusted for standard risk factors, and myocardial infarction. Population-based prospective cohort study. Enrolment took place between 1990 and 2004 in Västerbotten County, Sweden Every year, persons in the total population, aged 40, 50 or 60 were invited. Participation rate was 60%. The cohort consisted of 75 386 men and women. After exclusion for stroke or myocardial infarction before, or within 12 months after enrolment or death within 12 months after enrolment, 72 530 persons remained for analysis. Mean follow-up time was 13.2 years. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate HRs for the end point of first non-fatal or fatal myocardial infarction. HR were adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, body mass index, education, physical activity and self-rated health in the categories very good; pretty good; somewhat good; pretty poor or poor. In the cohort, 2062 persons were diagnosed with fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Poor self-rated health adjusted for sex and age was associated with the outcome with HR 2.03 (95% CI 1.45 to 2.84). All categories of self-rated health worse than very good were statistically significant and showed a dose-response relationship. In a multivariable analysis with standard risk factors (not including physical activity and education) HR was attenuated to 1.61 (95% CI 1.13 to 2.31) for poor self-rated health. All categories of self-rated health remained statistically significant. We found no interaction between self-rated health and standard risk factors except for poor self-rated health and diabetes. This study supports the use of self-rated health as a standard risk factor among others for myocardial infarction. It remains to demonstrate whether self-rated health adds predictive value for myocardial infarction in combined algorithms with standard risk factors. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For

  19. Resveratrol Improves Myocardial Perfusion in a Swine Model of Hypercholesterolemia and Chronic Myocardial Ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Robich, Michael P.; Osipov, Robert M.; Nezafat, Reza; Feng, Jun; Clements, Richard T.; Bianchi, Cesario; Boodhwani, Munir; Coady, Michael A.; Laham, Roger J.; Sellke, Frank W.

    2010-01-01

    Introduction Resveratrol may provide protection against coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that supplemental resveratrol will improve cardiac perfusion in the ischemic territory of swine with hypercholesterolemia and chronic myocardial ischemia. Methods and Results Yorkshire swine were fed either a normal diet (control, n=7), a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCC, n=7), or a hypercholesterolemic diet with supplemental resveratrol (100 mg/kg/day orally, HCRV, n=7). Four weeks later, an ameroid constrictor was placed on the left circumflex artery. Animals underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography 7 weeks later, prior to sacrifice and tissue harvest. Total cholesterol was lowered about 30% in HCRV animals (p<0.001). Regional wall motion analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in inferolateral function from baseline to 7 weeks in HCC swine (p=0.04). There was no significant change in regional function in HCRV swine from baseline to 7 weeks (p=0.32). Tissue blood flow during stress was 2.8 fold greater in HCRV swine when compared to HCC swine (p=0.04). Endothelial dependent microvascular relaxation response to Substance P was diminished in HCC swine which was rescued by resveratrol treatment (p=0.004). Capillary density (PECAM-1 staining) demonstrated fewer capillaries in both HCC and HCRV swine v. control swine (p=0.02). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated significantly greater expression in HCRV v. HCC swine of the following markers of angiogenesis: VEGF (p=0.002), peNOS(ser1177)(p=0.04), NFkB (p=0.004), and pAkt(thr308)(p=0.001). Conclusion Supplemental resveratrol attenuates regional wall motion abnormalities, improves myocardial perfusion in the collateral dependent region, preserves endothelial dependent coronary vessel function, and upregulates markers of angiogenesis associated with the VEGF signaling pathway. PMID:20837905

  20. Myocardial infarction in Swedish subway drivers.

    PubMed

    Bigert, Carolina; Klerdal, Kristina; Hammar, Niklas; Gustavsson, Per

    2007-08-01

    Particulate matter in urban air is associated with the risk of myocardial infarction in the general population. Very high levels of airborne particles have been detected in the subway system of Stockholm, as well as in several other large cities. This situation has caused concern for negative health effects among subway staff. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an increased incidence of myocardial infarction among subway drivers. Data from a population-based case-control study of men aged 40-69 in Stockholm County in 1976-1996 were used. The study included all first events of myocardial infarction in registers of hospital discharges and deaths. The controls were selected randomly from the general population. National censuses were used for information on occupation. Altogether, 22 311 cases and 131 496 controls were included. Among these, 54 cases and 250 controls had worked as subway drivers. The relative risk of myocardial infarction among subway drivers was not increased. It was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.68-1.25] when the subway drivers were compared with other manual workers and 1.06 (95% CI 0.78-1.43) when the subway drivers were compared with all other gainfully employed men. Subgroup analyses indicated no influence on the risk of myocardial infarction from the duration of employment, latency time, or time since employment stopped. Subway drivers in Stockholm do not have a higher incidence of myocardial infarction than other employed persons.

  1. Cardiac T1 mapping in congenital heart disease: bolus vs. infusion protocols for measurements of myocardial extracellular volume fraction.

    PubMed

    Al-Wakeel-Marquard, Nadya; Rastin, Sanaz; Muench, Frédéric; O H-Ici, Darach; Yilmaz, Sevim; Berger, Felix; Kuehne, Titus; Messroghli, Daniel R

    2017-12-01

    Myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) reflecting diffuse myocardial fibrosis can be measured with T1 mapping cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before and after the application of a gadolinium-based extracellular contrast agent. The equilibrium between blood and myocardium contrast concentration required for ECV measurements can be obtained with a primed contrast infusion (equilibrium contrast-CMR). We hypothesized that equilibrium can also be achieved with a single contrast bolus to accurately measure diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Healthy controls (n = 17; median age 24.0 years) and patients with CHD (n = 19; 25.0 years) were prospectively enrolled. Using modified Look-Locker inversion recovery T1 mapping before, 15 min after bolus injection, and during constant infusion of gadolinium-DOTA, T1 values were obtained for blood pool and myocardium of the left ventricle (LV), the interventricular septum (IVS), and the right ventricle (RV) in a single midventricular plane in short axis or in transverse orientation. ECV of LV, IVS and RV by bolus-only and bolus-infusion correlated significantly in CHD patients (r = 0.94, 0.95, and 0.74; p < 0.01, respectively) and healthy controls (r = 0.96, 0.89, and 0.64; p < 0.05, respectively). Bland-Altman plots revealed no significant bias between the techniques for any of the analyzed regions. ECV of LV and RV myocardium measured by bolus-only T1 mapping agrees well with bolus-infusion measurements in patients with CHD. The use of a bolus-only approach facilitates the integration of ECV measurements into existing CMR imaging protocols, allowing for assessment of diffuse myocardial fibrosis in CHD in clinical routine.

  2. Neural control hierarchy of the heart has not evolved to deal with myocardial ischemia.

    PubMed

    Kember, G; Armour, J A; Zamir, M

    2013-08-01

    The consequences of myocardial ischemia are examined from the standpoint of the neural control system of the heart, a hierarchy of three neuronal centers residing in central command, intrathoracic ganglia, and intrinsic cardiac ganglia. The basis of the investigation is the premise that while this hierarchical control system has evolved to deal with "normal" physiological circumstances, its response in the event of myocardial ischemia is unpredictable because the singular circumstances of this event are as yet not part of its evolutionary repertoire. The results indicate that the harmonious relationship between the three levels of control breaks down, because of a conflict between the priorities that they have evolved to deal with. Essentially, while the main priority in central command is blood demand, the priority at the intrathoracic and cardiac levels is heart rate. As a result of this breakdown, heart rate becomes less predictable and therefore less reliable as a diagnostic guide as to the traumatic state of the heart, which it is commonly used as such following an ischemic event. On the basis of these results it is proposed that under the singular conditions of myocardial ischemia a determination of neural control indexes in addition to cardiovascular indexes has the potential of enhancing clinical outcome.

  3. Factor V leiden is a risk factor for myocardial infarction in young Turkish men.

    PubMed

    Hobikoglu, Gultekin F; Akyuz, Umit; Akyuz, Filiz; Ozer, Orhan; Güney, Dilvin; Narin, Ahmet; Unaltuna, Nihan

    2004-12-01

    Factor V Leiden is the most common known hereditary abnormality of the clotting system which leads to a reduced anticoagulant effect of activated protein C (APC resistance). FactorV Leiden has been shown to be the most frequent inherited thrombophilic disorder in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism. The relationship between this genetic abnormality and myocardial infarction is still unresolved. The aim of this study was to investigate whether factor V Leiden is a risk factor for myocardial infarction in young Turkish men or not. We compared 42 patients who had a diagnosis of acute MI and were younger than 40 years (35.6+/-4.8 years) with 66 healthy, age and sex-matched control subjects. Blood samples from the patients and the controls were analysed for the factor V Leiden mutation by DNA analysis, using polimerase chain reaction. Factor V Leiden mutation was found in 10 of 42 (23.8%) patients with myocardial infarction and 6 of 66 (9%) control subjects (p < 0.001). The odds ratio for MI was 3.1. (CI 95% 1.0-8.9) The results of this study suggest that the presence of factorV Leiden increases the risk of Ml in young Turkish men. ( Acta Cardiol 2004; 59(6): 594-597)

  4. [Evaluation of association between 9 genetic polymorphism and myocardial infarction in the Siberian population].

    PubMed

    Maksimov, V N; Kulikov, I V; Orlov, P S; Gafarov, V V; Maliutina, S K; Romashchenko, A G; Voevoda, M I

    2012-01-01

    to evaluate association between genetic polymorphism (SNPs) and myocardial infarction (identified in recent GWAS) as markers of high risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in Siberian population. Patients were divided into 2 groups - MI patients and control group (ratio 1:2) and presented the sapmle of population of Novosibirsk (9400 patients, 45-69 years) within international project HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe). 200 patients with MI (129 men, 71 women) were included. Control group - individuals without MI (420) matched for age and sex. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood by phenol-chloroform extraction. Gene polymorphism of genes tested by real-time PCR according to protocol (probes TaqMan, Applied Biosystems, USA) with the use of ABI 7900HT. The following SNPs were studied: rs28711149, rs499818, rs619203, rs10757278 and rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs1376251, rs2549513, rs4804611, rs17465637. The association of SNP and MI was confirmed for 4 of 9 studied SNPs: rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs10757278 (hr. 9), rs499818 (hr. 6), rs619203 gene ROS1. Heart rate was associated with rs1333049 and rs10757278. Glucose level was associated with rs619203, rs28711149 and rs1376251. Total cholesterol and atherogenic index was associated with rs28711149. For the first time in Russian population the associations of GWAS with myocardial infarction SNPs was detected for rs619203, rs499818, rs1333049 and rs10757278. These genetic markers can be used for assessing the risk of myocardial infarction in Russian population.

  5. Acute myocardial infarction with changing axis deviation.

    PubMed

    Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

    2011-07-01

    Changing axis deviation has been rarely reported also during atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Changing axis deviation has been rarely reported also during acute myocardial infarction associated with atrial fibrillation. Isolated left posterior hemiblock is a very rare finding but the evidence of transient right axis deviation with a left posterior hemiblock pattern has been reported during acute anterior myocardial infarction as related with significant right coronary artery obstruction and collateral circulation between the left coronary system and the posterior descending artery. Left anterior hemiblock development during acute inferior myocardial infarction can be an indicator of left anterior descending coronary artery lesions, multivessel coronary artery disease, and impaired left ventricular systolic function. We present a case of changing axis deviation in a 62-year-old Italian man with acute myocardial infarction. Also this case focuses attention on changing axis deviation during acute myocardial infarction. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Folic acid prevents cardiac dysfunction and reduces myocardial fibrosis in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity.

    PubMed

    Li, Wei; Tang, Renqiao; Ouyang, Shengrong; Ma, Feifei; Liu, Zhuo; Wu, Jianxin

    2017-01-01

    Folic acid (FA) is an antioxidant that can reduce reactive oxygen species generation and can blunt cardiac dysfunction during ischemia. We hypothesized that FA supplementation prevents cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction induced by obesity. Six-week-old C57BL6/J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), normal diet (ND), or an HFD supplemented with folic acid (FAD) for 14 weeks. Cardiac function was measured using a transthoracic echocardiographic exam. Phenotypic analysis included measurements of body and heart weight, blood glucose and tissue homocysteine (Hcy) content, and heart oxidative stress status. HFD consumption elevated fasting blood glucose levels and caused obesity and heart enlargement. FA supplementation in HFD-fed mice resulted in reduced fasting blood glucose, heart weight, and heart tissue Hcy content. We also observed a significant cardiac systolic dysfunction when mice were subjected to HFD feeding as indicated by a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening. However, FAD treatment improved cardiac function. FA supplementation protected against cardiac fibrosis induced by HFD. In addition, HFD increased malondialdehyde concentration of the heart tissue and reduced the levels of antioxidant enzyme, glutathione, and catalase. HFD consumption induced myocardial oxidant stress with amelioration by FA treatment. FA supplementation significantly lowers blood glucose levels and heart tissue Hcy content and reverses cardiac dysfunction induced by HFD in mice. These functional improvements of the heart may be mediated by the alleviation of oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis.

  7. Variance computations for functional of absolute risk estimates.

    PubMed

    Pfeiffer, R M; Petracci, E

    2011-07-01

    We present a simple influence function based approach to compute the variances of estimates of absolute risk and functions of absolute risk. We apply this approach to criteria that assess the impact of changes in the risk factor distribution on absolute risk for an individual and at the population level. As an illustration we use an absolute risk prediction model for breast cancer that includes modifiable risk factors in addition to standard breast cancer risk factors. Influence function based variance estimates for absolute risk and the criteria are compared to bootstrap variance estimates.

  8. Variance computations for functional of absolute risk estimates

    PubMed Central

    Pfeiffer, R.M.; Petracci, E.

    2011-01-01

    We present a simple influence function based approach to compute the variances of estimates of absolute risk and functions of absolute risk. We apply this approach to criteria that assess the impact of changes in the risk factor distribution on absolute risk for an individual and at the population level. As an illustration we use an absolute risk prediction model for breast cancer that includes modifiable risk factors in addition to standard breast cancer risk factors. Influence function based variance estimates for absolute risk and the criteria are compared to bootstrap variance estimates. PMID:21643476

  9. Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha associates with Myocardial Oxygen Demand and Exercise Tolerance in Postmenopausal Women.

    PubMed

    Carter, Stephen J; Bryan, David R; Neumeier, William H; Glasser, Stephen P; Hunter, Gary R

    2018-01-01

    The functional implications of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a marker of oxidative stress, on hemodynamic parameters at rest and during physical exertion are unclear. The aims of this investigation were to examine the independent associations of TNF-α on myocardial oxygen demand at rest and during submaximal exercise, while also evaluating the association of TNF-α on exercise tolerance. Forty, postmenopausal women, provided blood samples and completed a modified-Balke protocol to measure maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ). Large artery compliance was measured by pulse contour analyses while rate-pressure product (RPP), an index of myocardial oxygen demand, was measured at rest and during two submaximal workloads (i.e., ≈55% and ≈75% VO 2max ). RPP was calculated by dividing the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure (via auscultation) by 100. Exercise tolerance corresponded with the cessation of the graded exercise test. During higher-intensity exertion, ≈75% VO 2max , multiple linear regression revealed a positive association ( r = 0.43; p = 0.015) between TNF-α and RPP while adjusting for maximal heart rate, VO 2max , large artery compliance, and percent body fat. Path analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of large artery compliance on exercise tolerance through TNF-α, β = 0.13, CI [0.03, 0.35], indicating greater levels of TNF-α associated with poorer exercise tolerance. These data suggest TNF-α independently associates with myocardial oxygen demand during physical exertion, thus highlighting the utility of higher-intensity efforts to expose important phenomena not apparent at rest. TNF-α also appears to be indirectly associated with the link between large artery compliance and exercise tolerance.

  10. Transmyocardial laser revascularization in the acute ischaemic heart: no improvement of acute myocardial perfusion or prevention of myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Eckstein, F S; Scheule, A M; Vogel, U; Schmid, S T; Miller, S; Jurmann, M J; Ziemer, G

    1999-05-01

    Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) has been used to provide enhanced myocardial perfusion in patients not suitable for coronary revascularization or angioplasty. This study investigates the acute changes in myocardial perfusion after TMLR with a Holmium:Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (YAG) laser with a thermal imaging camera in a model of acute ischaemia, and confirms its midterm effects by post-mortem investigation of magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological examination. Acute myocardial ischaemia was induced by occlusion of the dominant diagonal branch in ten sheep. Perfusion measurements were undertaken first in the unaffected myocardium, then after temporary occlusion of the coronary to obtain a control measurement for ischaemic myocardium. Myocardial perfusion was then evaluated during reperfusion after release of coronary occlusion. Then the coronary was permanently occluded and 20.5+/-2 channels were drilled with the Holmium:YAG laser and perfusion was measured again. The other four sheep served as control with untreated ischaemia. All animals were sacrificed after 28 days following administration of gadolinium i.v. to serve as contrast medium for magnetic resonance tomography. The hearts were subjected to magnetic resonance tomography and histopathological examination. Intraoperative perfusion measurements revealed a decreased perfusion after temporary occlusion and an increased perfusion in reperfused myocardium. After TMLR, no improvement of myocardial perfusion above the ischaemic level could be shown. Magnetic resonance images could neither confirm patent laser channels nor viable myocardium within ischaemic areas. On histology no patent endocardial laser channel could be detected. The transmural features were myocardial infarct with scar tissue. In the presented sheep model with acute ischaemia, TMLR with a Holmium:YAG laser did not provide acute improvement of myocardial perfusion as assessed by a thermal imaging camera. This would

  11. Protection by Ethanolic Extract from Ulva lactuca L. against Acute Myocardial Infarction: Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Activities.

    PubMed

    Widyaningsih, Wahyu; Pramono, Suwidjiyo; Zulaela; Sugiyanto; Widyarini, Sitarina

    2017-12-01

    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in myocardial damage during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to determine the antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of an ethanolic extract from Ulva lactuca L. (EEUL) against AMI. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: one control group and five treatment groups. Treatment group II was given 85 mg/kg body weight (BW) of isoproterenol (ISO). Group III, IV and V were given ISO and EEUL at 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg BW, respectively. Group VI were given 10 mg/kg BW of ISO and melatonin. EEUL and melatonin were orally administered for 28 days. ISO was injected subcutaneously on day 29 and 30 to chemically induce AMI. On day 31, blood was collected for antioxidant assay and heart tissues were collected for histological examination. The activity of catalase (CAT), an endogenous antioxidant, in the EEUL-treatment groups was significantly increased compared to the ISO-treatment group ( P < 0.001). The EEUL-treatment groups showed significantly decreased expression of caspase-3 ( P < 0.001) and better myocardial tissue morphology. EEUL possibly protects against AMI because of its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

  12. The Application of Absolute Ethanol in the Treatment of Mucocele of the Glands of Blandin-Nuhn.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jun; Wang, Chao

    2016-10-01

    Mucocele of the anterior lingual salivary glands is a more common cystic lesion, especially in patients aged less than 20 years. The study is aimed to observe the effect of treatment by injection of absolute ethanol instead of surgery. Fourteen outpatients diagnosed as mucocele of the glands of Blandin-Nuhn were selected. These patients, after blood investigation, were treated by injection of absolute ethanol into a mucous cavity of lesion under superficial anesthesia with 2% lidocaine once a week and followed up from 3 months to 2 years. Mucocele of the glands of Blandin-Nuhn was extirpated in all patients after 1 to 3 injections. There were no other complications except slight distending pain occurred on the same day when the patients were treated. The recurrence was not observed during the follow-up period. In conclusion, the study suggests that injection of absolute ethanol may be an alternative means for treating mucocele of the glands of Blandin-Nuhn, because it is mininvasive, safe, effective, economic, and simply manipulated compared with surgical treatment.

  13. Absolute Summ

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Phillips, Alfred, Jr.

    Summ means the entirety of the multiverse. It seems clear, from the inflation theories of A. Guth and others, that the creation of many universes is plausible. We argue that Absolute cosmological ideas, not unlike those of I. Newton, may be consistent with dynamic multiverse creations. As suggested in W. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, and with the Anthropic Principle defended by S. Hawking, et al., human consciousness, buttressed by findings of neuroscience, may have to be considered in our models. Predictability, as A. Einstein realized with Invariants and General Relativity, may be required for new ideas to be part of physics. We present here a two postulate model geared to an Absolute Summ. The seedbed of this work is part of Akhnaton's philosophy (see S. Freud, Moses and Monotheism). Most important, however, is that the structure of human consciousness, manifest in Kenya's Rift Valley 200,000 years ago as Homo sapiens, who were the culmination of the six million year co-creation process of Hominins and Nature in Africa, allows us to do the physics that we do. .

  14. Quantitative Analysis of First-Pass Contrast-Enhanced Myocardial Perfusion Multidetector CT Using a Patlak Plot Method and Extraction Fraction Correction During Adenosine Stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ichihara, Takashi; George, Richard T.; Silva, Caterina; Lima, Joao A. C.; Lardo, Albert C.

    2011-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative method for myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurement that can be used to derive accurate myocardial perfusion measurements from dynamic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images by using a compartment model for calculating the first-order transfer constant (K1) with correction for the capillary transit extraction fraction (E). Six canine models of left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis were prepared and underwent first-pass contrast-enhanced MDCT perfusion imaging during adenosine infusion (0.14-0.21 mg/kg/min). K1 , which is the first-order transfer constant from left ventricular (LV) blood to myocardium, was measured using the Patlak plot method applied to time-attenuation curve data of the LV blood pool and myocardium. The results were compared against microsphere MBF measurements, and the extraction fraction of contrast agent was calculated. K1 is related to the regional MBF as K1=EF, E=(1-exp(-PS/F)), where PS is the permeability-surface area product and F is myocardial flow. Based on the above relationship, a look-up table from K1 to MBF can be generated and Patlak plot-derived K1 values can be converted to the calculated MBF. The calculated MBF and microsphere MBF showed a strong linear association. The extraction fraction in dogs as a function of flow (F) was E=(1-exp(-(0.2532F+0.7871)/F)) . Regional MBF can be measured accurately using the Patlak plot method based on a compartment model and look-up table with extraction fraction correction from K1 to MBF.

  15. Myocardial effective transverse relaxation time T2* Correlates with left ventricular wall thickness: A 7.0 T MRI study.

    PubMed

    Huelnhagen, Till; Hezel, Fabian; Serradas Duarte, Teresa; Pohlmann, Andreas; Oezerdem, Celal; Flemming, Bert; Seeliger, Erdmann; Prothmann, Marcel; Schulz-Menger, Jeanette; Niendorf, Thoralf

    2017-06-01

    Myocardial effective relaxation time T2* is commonly regarded as a surrogate for myocardial tissue oxygenation. However, it is legitimate to assume that there are multiple factors that influence T2*. To this end, this study investigates the relationship between T2* and cardiac macromorphology given by left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and left ventricular radius, and provides interpretation of the results in the physiological context. High spatio-temporally resolved myocardial CINE T2* mapping was performed in 10 healthy volunteers using a 7.0 Tesla (T) full-body MRI system. Ventricular septal wall thickness, left ventricular inner radius, and T2* were analyzed. Macroscopic magnetic field changes were elucidated using cardiac phase-resolved magnetic field maps. Ventricular septal T2* changes periodically over the cardiac cycle, increasing in systole and decreasing in diastole. Ventricular septal wall thickness and T2* showed a significant positive correlation, whereas the inner LV radius and T2* were negatively correlated. The effect of macroscopic magnetic field gradients on T2* can be considered minor in the ventricular septum. Our findings suggest that myocardial T2* is related to tissue blood volume fraction. Temporally resolved T2* mapping could be beneficial for myocardial tissue characterization and for understanding cardiac (patho)physiology in vivo. Magn Reson Med 77:2381-2389, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  16. New angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, azilsartan, attenuates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Yuichi; Suzuki, Satoshi; Saitoh, Shu-ichi; Takeishi, Yasuchika

    2013-01-01

    After an acute myocardial infarction (MI), neurohumoral systems including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are activated which in turn aggravate cardiac remodeling. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are useful drugs for suppression of RAAS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new ARB, azilsartan, for suppressing cardiac remodeling and progression to heart failure after MI. We created MI by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in male mice, and these mice were orally administered saline (0.2 mL) in the control group (Group C), 0.1 mg/kg/d of azilsartan in the low dose group (Group L), and 1.0 mg/kg/d in the high dose group (Group H) everyday. Blood pressure was decreased in Group H, but not in Group L, compared to Group C. At 2 weeks after MI creation, infarct size and fibrotic change at the site remote to the myocardial infarcted area were attenuated in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. Echocardiography revealed that cardiac remodeling was suppressed in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. Increases of mRNA expression levels related to fibrotic change were attenuated in Group L and Group H compared to Group C. The new ARB, azilsartan, had a cardiac remodeling suppression effect after MI, and this effect was observed without blood pressure lowering.

  17. Prognostic Value of Real Time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

    PubMed

    Yang, Lixia; Xia, Chunmei; Mu, Yuming; Guan, Lina; Wang, Chunmei; Tang, Qi; Verocai, Flavia Gomes; Fonseca, Lea Mirian Barbosa da; Shih, Ming Chi

    2016-03-01

    Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is a cost-effective and simple method to quantify coronary flow reserve (CFR). We aimed to determine the value of RTMCE to predict cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We have studied myocardial blood volume (A), velocity (β), flow indexes (MBF, A × β), and vasodilator reserve (stress-to-rest ratios) in 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent PCI. CFR (MBF at stress/MBF at rest) was calculated for each patient. Perfusion scores were used for visual interpretation by MCE and correlation with TIMI flow grade. In qualitative RTMCE assessment, post-PCI visual perfusion scores were higher than pre-PCI (Z = -7.26, P < 0.01). Among 271 arteries with TIMI flow grade 3 post-PCI, 72 (36%) did not reach visual perfusion score 1. The β- and A × β-reserve of the abnormal segments supplied by obstructed arteries increased after PCI comparing to pre-PCI values (P < 0.01). Patients with adverse cardiac events had significantly lower β- and lower A × β-reserve than patients without adverse cardiac events. In the former group, the CFR was ≥ 1.5 both pre- and post-PCI. CFR estimation by RTMCE can quantify myocardial perfusion in patients with ACS who underwent PCI. The parameters β-reserve and CFR combined might predict cardiac events on the follow-up. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Remote ischaemic postconditioning protects the heart during acute myocardial infarction in pigs.

    PubMed

    Andreka, Gyorgy; Vertesaljai, Marton; Szantho, Gergely; Font, Gusztav; Piroth, Zsolt; Fontos, Geza; Juhasz, Eszter D; Szekely, Laszlo; Szelid, Zsolt; Turner, Mark S; Ashrafian, Houman; Frenneaux, Michael P; Andreka, Peter

    2007-06-01

    Ischaemic preconditioning results in a reduction in ischaemic-reperfusion injury to the heart. This beneficial effect is seen both with direct local preconditioning of the myocardium and with remote preconditioning of easily accessible distant non-vital limb tissue. Ischaemic postconditioning with a comparable sequence of brief periods of local ischaemia, when applied immediately after the ischaemic insult, confers benefits similar to preconditioning. To test the hypothesis that limb ischaemia induces remote postconditioning and hence reduces experimental myocardial infarct size in a validated swine model of acute myocardial infarction. Acute myocardial infarction was induced in 24 pigs with 90 min balloon inflations of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Remote ischaemic postconditioning was induced in 12 of the pigs by four 5 min cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation applied to the lower limb immediately after the balloon deflation. Infarct size was assessed by measuring 72 h creatinine kinase release, MRI scan and immunohistochemical analysis. Area under the curve of creatinine kinase release was significantly reduced in the postconditioning group compared with the control group with a 26% reduction in the infarct size (p<0.05). This was confirmed by MRI scanning and immunohistochemical analysis that revealed a 22% (p<0.05) and a 47.52% (p<0.01) relative reduction in the infarct size, respectively. Remote ischaemic postconditioning is a simple technique to reduce infarct size without the hazards and logistics of multiple coronary artery balloon inflations. This type of conditioning promises clear clinical potential.

  19. Cardioprotective effects of gallic acid in diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Snehal S.; Goyal, Ramesh K.

    2011-01-01

    Background: Normalization of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress is an important objective in preventing diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction. Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the effects of gallic acid in myocardial dysfunctions associated with type-1 diabetes. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg i.v.). Gallic acid was administered daily at three different doses (100, 50, and 25 mg/kg p.o.) for 8 weeks at the end of which blood samples were collected and analyzed for various biochemical parameters. Results: Injection of STZ produced significant loss of body weight (BW), polyphagia, polydypsia, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, bradycardia, and myocardial functional alterations. Treatment with gallic acid significantly lowered fasting glucose, the AUCglucose level in a dose-dependent manner; however, the insulin level was not increased significantly at same the dose and prevented loss of BW, polyphagia, and polydypsia in diabetic rats. It also prevented STZ-induced hyperlipidemia, hypertension, bradycardia, structural alterations in cardiac tissue such as increase in force of contraction, left ventricular weight to body weight ratio, collagen content, protein content, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase levels in a dose-dependent manner. Further, treatment also produced reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant parameters in heart of diabetic rats. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that gallic acid to be beneficial for the treatment of myocardial damage associated with type-1 diabetes. PMID:22224046

  20. Neonatal nucleated red blood cells in infants of overweight and obese mothers.

    PubMed

    Sheffer-Mimouni, Galit; Mimouni, Francis B; Dollberg, Shaul; Mandel, Dror; Deutsch, Varda; Littner, Yoav

    2007-06-01

    The perinatal outcome of the infant of obese mother is adversely affected and in theory, may involve fetal hypoxia. We hypothesized that an index of fetal hypoxia, the neonatal nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count, is elevated in infants of overweight and obese mothers. Absolute NRBC counts taken during the first 12 hours of life in 41 infants of overweight and obese mothers were compared to 28 controls. Maternal body mass index and infant birthweight were significantly higher in the overweight and obese group (P < 0.01). Hematocrit, corrected white blood cell and lymphocyte counts did not differ between groups. The absolute NRBC count was higher (P = 0.01), and the platelet count lower (P = 0.05) in infants of overweight and obese mothers than in controls. In stepwise regression analysis, the absolute NRBC count in infants of overweight and obese mothers remained significantly higher even after taking into account birthweight or gestational age and Apgar scores (P < 0.02). Infants of overweight and obese mothers have increased nucleated red blood cells at birth compared with controls. We speculate that even apparently healthy fetuses of overweight and obese mothers are exposed to a subtle hypoxemic environment.

  1. Role of adenosine as adjunctive therapy in acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Forman, Mervyn B; Stone, Gregg W; Jackson, Edwin K

    2006-01-01

    Although early reperfusion and maintained patency is the mainstay therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction, experimental studies demonstrate that reperfusion per se induces deleterious effects on viable ischemic cells. Thus "myocardial reperfusion injury" may compromise the full potential of reperfusion therapy and may account for unfavorable outcomes in high-risk patients. Although the mechanisms of reperfusion injury are complex and multifactorial, neutrophil-mediated microvascular injury resulting in a progressive decrease in blood flow ("no-reflow" phenomenon) likely plays an important role. Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside found in large quantities in myocardial and endothelial cells. It activates four well-characterized receptors producing various physiological effects that attenuate many of the proposed mechanisms of reperfusion injury. The cardio-protective effects of adenosine are supported by its role as a mediator of pre- and post-conditioning. In experimental models, administration of adenosine in the peri-reperfusion period results in a marked reduction in infarct size and improvement in ventricular function. The cardioprotective effects in the canine model have a narrow time window with the drug losing its effect following three hours of ischemia. Several small clinical studies have demonstrated that administration of adenosine with reperfusion therapy reduces infarct size and improves ventricular function. In the larger AMISTAD and AMISTAD II trials a 3-h infusion of adenosine as an adjunct to reperfusion resulted in a striking reduction in infarct size (55-65%). Post hoc analysis of AMISTAD II showed that this was associated with significantly improved early and late mortality in patients treated within 3.17 h of symptoms. An intravenous infusion of adenosine for 3 h should be considered as adjunctive therapy in high risk-patients undergoing reperfusion therapy.

  2. Association between activities of SOD, MDA and Na+-K+-ATPase in peripheral blood of patients with acute myocardial infarction and the complication of varying degrees of arrhythmia.

    PubMed

    Yin, Yu; Han, Wei; Cao, Ying

    2018-04-24

    To investigate the changes of ambulatory electrocardiography and peripheral blood SOD, MDA and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes in patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated with arrhythmia. From January 2012 to March 2015, 135 cases AMI complicated with arrhythmia in our hospital were divided into 2 groups: 70 cases in the AMI uncomplicated with arrhythmia and 65 cases in the AMI complicated with arrhythmia. 62 cases volunteers accepted physical examination in our hospital in the same period were collected as the control group. 24 hour-electrocardiogram detected by ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG), SOD and MDA in peripheral blood detected by diagnostic reagent kit and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes in peripheral blood detected by malachite green Kit Method phosphate determination method were collected. ROC curve was used to evaluate the prognostic value of SOD, MDA and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes in AMI patients. Compared with the control group, the patients had unusual ambulatory electrocardiography had increased (P <0.05), peripheral blood SOD and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes had decreased, peripheral blood MDA had increased in 2 AMI groups (P <0.05). Compared with AMI uncomplicated with arrhythmia group, the patients had unusual ambulatory electrocardiography had increased (P <0.05), peripheral blood SOD and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes had decreased, peripheral blood MDA had increased in AMI complicated with arrhythmia group (P <0.05). Among 135 cases AMI patients, 120 (88.9%) survived and 15 (11.1%) died, of whom 11 cases were AMI complicated with arrhythmia group, 4 cases were AMI uncomplicated with arrhythmia group. Compared with the AMI uncomplicated with arrhythmia group, the dead patients were more in the AMI complicated with arrhythmia group (c2 = 4.287, P = 0.038). Compared with the survival group, the SOD and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes were significantly lower (P <0.05) and MDA significantly higher (P <0.05) in the death group. The area under the ROC curve of SOD, MDA and Na+-K+-ATP enzymes

  3. Effects of denopamine (TA-064), a new positive inotropic agent, on myocardial oxygen consumption and left ventricular dimension in anesthetized dogs.

    PubMed

    Ikeo, T; Nagao, T

    1985-10-01

    We compared the effects of denopamine (TA-064) and isoproterenol on hemodynamics, myocardial oxygen consumption and the left ventricular (LV) dimension in halothane-N2O anesthetized dogs. Denopamine (0.25-1 micrograms/kg/min, i.v., infusion X 15 min) produced a maximum increase in LV dp/dtmax by 64% of the control, without affecting aortic pressure significantly. Doses of isoproterenol (0.01-0.04 micrograms/kg/min, i.v., infusion X 15 min) were selected to produce a positive inotropic action similar to that of denopamine. Denopamine produced significantly less increasing effects in heart rate, cardiac output and myocardial oxygen consumption and had more reducing effects in LV internal diameter than isoproterenol, while isoproterenol tended to produce a more potent increase in coronary blood flow, but a smaller decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure than denopamine. PQ interval was similarly reduced. Denopamine caused no substantial increase in myocardial oxygen consumption at a lower dose, at which LV dp/dtmax was significantly increased. A weak effect of denopamine on myocardial oxygen consumption may result partly from a weak positive chronotropic effect and partly from a reduction of preload and cardiac size.

  4. Absolute optical metrology : nanometers to kilometers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dubovitsky, Serge; Lay, O. P.; Peters, R. D.; Liebe, C. C.

    2005-01-01

    We provide and overview of the developments in the field of high-accuracy absolute optical metrology with emphasis on space-based applications. Specific work on the Modulation Sideband Technology for Absolute Ranging (MSTAR) sensor is described along with novel applications of the sensor.

  5. The Comparison of the Outcomes between Primary PCI, Fibrinolysis, and No Reperfusion in Patients ≥ 75 Years Old with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Results from the Chinese Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry.

    PubMed

    Peiyuan, He; Jingang, Yang; Haiyan, Xu; Xiaojin, Gao; Ying, Xian; Yuan, Wu; Wei, Li; Yang, Wang; Xinran, Tang; Ruohua, Yan; Chen, Jin; Lei, Song; Xuan, Zhang; Rui, Fu; Yunqing, Ye; Qiuting, Dong; Hui, Sun; Xinxin, Yan; Runlin, Gao; Yuejin, Yang

    2016-01-01

    Only a few randomized trials have analyzed the clinical outcomes of elderly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients (≥ 75 years old). Therefore, the best reperfusion strategy has not been well established. An observational study focused on clinical outcomes was performed in this population. Based on the national registry on STEMI patients, the in-hospital outcomes of elderly patients with different reperfusion strategies were compared. The primary endpoint was defined as death. Secondary endpoints included recurrent myocardial infarction, ischemia driven revascularization, myocardial infarction related complications, and major bleeding. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to adjust for the baseline disparities between the groups. Patients who had primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or fibrinolysis were relatively younger. They came to hospital earlier, and had lower risk of death compared with patients who had no reperfusion. The guideline recommended medications were more frequently used in patients with primary PCI during the hospitalization and at discharge. The rates of death were 7.7%, 15.0%, and 19.9% respectively, with primary PCI, fibrinolysis, and no reperfusion (P < 0.001). Patients having primary PCI also had lower rates of heart failure, mechanical complications, and cardiac arrest compared with fibrinolysis and no reperfusion (P < 0.05). The rates of hemorrhage stroke (0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.1%) and other major bleeding (3.0%, 5.0%, and 3.1%) were similar in the primary PCI, fibrinolysis, and no reperfusion group (P > 0.05). In the multivariable regression analysis, primary PCI outweighs no reperfusion in predicting the in-hospital death in patients ≥ 75 years old. However, fibrinolysis does not. Early reperfusion, especially primary PCI was safe and effective with absolute reduction of mortality compared with no reperfusion. However, certain randomized trials were encouraged to support the conclusion.

  6. Comparison of blood flow models and acquisitions for quantitative myocardial perfusion estimation from dynamic CT

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bindschadler, Michael; Modgil, Dimple; Branch, Kelley R.; La Riviere, Patrick J.; Alessio, Adam M.

    2014-04-01

    Myocardial blood flow (MBF) can be estimated from dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) cardiac CT acquisitions, leading to quantitative assessment of regional perfusion. The need for low radiation dose and the lack of consensus on MBF estimation methods motivates this study to refine the selection of acquisition protocols and models for CT-derived MBF. DCE cardiac CT acquisitions were simulated for a range of flow states (MBF = 0.5, 1, 2, 3 ml (min g)-1, cardiac output = 3, 5, 8 L min-1). Patient kinetics were generated by a mathematical model of iodine exchange incorporating numerous physiological features including heterogenenous microvascular flow, permeability and capillary contrast gradients. CT acquisitions were simulated for multiple realizations of realistic x-ray flux levels. CT acquisitions that reduce radiation exposure were implemented by varying both temporal sampling (1, 2, and 3 s sampling intervals) and tube currents (140, 70, and 25 mAs). For all acquisitions, we compared three quantitative MBF estimation methods (two-compartment model, an axially-distributed model, and the adiabatic approximation to the tissue homogeneous model) and a qualitative slope-based method. In total, over 11 000 time attenuation curves were used to evaluate MBF estimation in multiple patient and imaging scenarios. After iodine-based beam hardening correction, the slope method consistently underestimated flow by on average 47.5% and the quantitative models provided estimates with less than 6.5% average bias and increasing variance with increasing dose reductions. The three quantitative models performed equally well, offering estimates with essentially identical root mean squared error (RMSE) for matched acquisitions. MBF estimates using the qualitative slope method were inferior in terms of bias and RMSE compared to the quantitative methods. MBF estimate error was equal at matched dose reductions for all quantitative methods and range of techniques evaluated. This suggests that

  7. How Should Blood Glucose Meter System Analytical Performance Be Assessed?

    PubMed

    Simmons, David A

    2015-08-31

    Blood glucose meter system analytical performance is assessed by comparing pairs of meter system and reference instrument blood glucose measurements measured over time and across a broad array of glucose values. Consequently, no single, complete, and ideal parameter can fully describe the difference between meter system and reference results. Instead, a number of assessment tools, both graphical (eg, regression plots, modified Bland-Altman plots, and error grid analysis) and tabular (eg, International Organization for Standardization guidelines, mean absolute difference, and mean absolute relative difference) have been developed to evaluate meter system performance. The strengths and weaknesses of these methods of presenting meter system performance data, including a new method known as Radar Plots, are described here. © 2015 Diabetes Technology Society.

  8. Fractional flow reserve-guided management in stable coronary disease and acute myocardial infarction: recent developments

    PubMed Central

    Berry, Colin; Corcoran, David; Hennigan, Barry; Watkins, Stuart; Layland, Jamie; Oldroyd, Keith G.

    2015-01-01

    Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, and improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of CAD can reduce the health and economic burden of this condition. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an evidence-based diagnostic test of the physiological significance of a coronary artery stenosis. Fractional flow reserve is a pressure-derived index of the maximal achievable myocardial blood flow in the presence of an epicardial coronary stenosis as a ratio to maximum achievable flow if that artery were normal. When compared with standard angiography-guided management, FFR disclosure is impactful on the decision for revascularization and clinical outcomes. In this article, we review recent developments with FFR in patients with stable CAD and recent myocardial infarction. Specifically, we review novel developments in our understanding of CAD pathophysiology, diagnostic applications, prognostic studies, clinical trials, and clinical guidelines. PMID:26038588

  9. Depressive disorder and gastrointestinal dysfunction after myocardial infarct are associated with abnormal tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in rats

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Chunyan; Wang, Yangang

    2017-01-01

    In this study, we investigated the relationship between tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism, depressive disorder, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in rats after myocardial infarction. Our goal was to elucidate the physiopathologic bases of somatic/psychiatric depression symptoms after myocardial infarction. A myocardial infarction model was established by permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Depression-like behavior was evaluated using the sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Gastric retention and intestinal transit were detected using the carbon powder labeling method. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in the hippocampus and ileum. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection determined the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, its precursor tryptophan, and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the hippocampus, distal ileum, and peripheral blood. All data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance. Three weeks after arterial occlusion, rats in the model group began to exhibit depression-like symptoms. For example, the rate of sucrose consumption was reduced, the total and central distance traveled in the open field test were reduced, and immobility time was increased, while swimming, struggling and latency to immobility were decreased in the forced swim test. Moreover, the gastric retention rate and gastrointestinal transit rate were increased in the model group. Expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was increased in the hippocampus and ileum, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism was decreased, resulting in lower 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the hippocampus and higher levels in the ileum. Depressive disorder and gastrointestinal dysfunction after myocardial infarction involve abnormal tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism, which may explain the somatic, cognitive

  10. Depressive disorder and gastrointestinal dysfunction after myocardial infarct are associated with abnormal tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in rats.

    PubMed

    Lu, Xiaofang; Wang, Yuefen; Liu, Chunyan; Wang, Yangang

    2017-01-01

    In this study, we investigated the relationship between tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism, depressive disorder, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in rats after myocardial infarction. Our goal was to elucidate the physiopathologic bases of somatic/psychiatric depression symptoms after myocardial infarction. A myocardial infarction model was established by permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Depression-like behavior was evaluated using the sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Gastric retention and intestinal transit were detected using the carbon powder labeling method. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in the hippocampus and ileum. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection determined the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, its precursor tryptophan, and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the hippocampus, distal ileum, and peripheral blood. All data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance. Three weeks after arterial occlusion, rats in the model group began to exhibit depression-like symptoms. For example, the rate of sucrose consumption was reduced, the total and central distance traveled in the open field test were reduced, and immobility time was increased, while swimming, struggling and latency to immobility were decreased in the forced swim test. Moreover, the gastric retention rate and gastrointestinal transit rate were increased in the model group. Expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was increased in the hippocampus and ileum, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism was decreased, resulting in lower 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the hippocampus and higher levels in the ileum. Depressive disorder and gastrointestinal dysfunction after myocardial infarction involve abnormal tryptophan-5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism, which may explain the somatic, cognitive

  11. A global algorithm for estimating Absolute Salinity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McDougall, T. J.; Jackett, D. R.; Millero, F. J.; Pawlowicz, R.; Barker, P. M.

    2012-12-01

    The International Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater - 2010 has defined the thermodynamic properties of seawater in terms of a new salinity variable, Absolute Salinity, which takes into account the spatial variation of the composition of seawater. Absolute Salinity more accurately reflects the effects of the dissolved material in seawater on the thermodynamic properties (particularly density) than does Practical Salinity. When a seawater sample has standard composition (i.e. the ratios of the constituents of sea salt are the same as those of surface water of the North Atlantic), Practical Salinity can be used to accurately evaluate the thermodynamic properties of seawater. When seawater is not of standard composition, Practical Salinity alone is not sufficient and the Absolute Salinity Anomaly needs to be estimated; this anomaly is as large as 0.025 g kg-1 in the northernmost North Pacific. Here we provide an algorithm for estimating Absolute Salinity Anomaly for any location (x, y, p) in the world ocean. To develop this algorithm, we used the Absolute Salinity Anomaly that is found by comparing the density calculated from Practical Salinity to the density measured in the laboratory. These estimates of Absolute Salinity Anomaly however are limited to the number of available observations (namely 811). In order to provide a practical method that can be used at any location in the world ocean, we take advantage of approximate relationships between Absolute Salinity Anomaly and silicate concentrations (which are available globally).

  12. Absolute versus relative intensity of physical activity in a dose-response context.

    PubMed

    Shephard, R J

    2001-06-01

    To examine the importance of relative versus absolute intensities of physical activity in the context of population health. A standard computer-search of the literature was supplemented by review of extensive personal files. Consensus reports (Category D Evidence) have commonly recommended moderate rather than hard physical activity in the context of population health. Much of the available literature provides Category C Evidence. It has often confounded issues of relative intensity with absolute intensity or total weekly dose of exercise. In terms of cardiovascular health, there is some evidence for a threshold intensity of effort, perhaps as high as 6 METs, in addition to a minimum volume of physical activity. Decreases in blood pressure and prevention of stroke seem best achieved by moderate rather than high relative intensities of physical activity. Many aspects of metabolic health depend on the total volume of activity; moderate relative intensities of effort are more effective in mobilizing body fat, but harder relative intensities may help to increase energy expenditures postexercise. Hard relative intensities seem needed to augment bone density, but this may reflect an associated increase in volume of activity. Hard relative intensities of exercise induce a transient immunosuppression. The optimal intensity of effort, relative or absolute, for protection against various types of cancer remains unresolved. Acute effects of exercise on mood state also require further study; long-term benefits seem associated with a moderate rather than a hard relative intensity of effort. The importance of relative versus absolute intensity of effort depends on the desired health outcome, and many issues remain to be resolved. Progress will depend on more precise epidemiological methods of assessing energy expenditures and studies that equate total energy expenditures between differing relative intensities. There is a need to focus on gains in quality-adjusted life expectancy.

  13. Myocardial and lung injuries induced by hydrogen sulfide and the effectiveness of oxygen therapy in rats.

    PubMed

    Wu, Na; Du, Xuqin; Wang, Dixin; Hao, Fengtong

    2011-03-01

    To study myocardial and lung injuries initiated by hydrogen sulfide, and evaluate the role and effectiveness of normobaric and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in rats. One hundred healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: A: Normal control group (no H2S); B: H2S-exposed group; C: H2S+33% oxygen treatment group; D: H2S+50% oxygen treatment group; E: H2S+HBO group. The rats in groups C, D and E were exposed to H2S in an exposure chamber (1 m3) and were made to inhale 300 ppm hydrogen sulfide for 60 min, and then they were subjected to normobaric or HBO therapy. Normobaric oxygen was at concentrations of 33% or 50%, HBO was for 100 min including compression and decompression; the rats in group A inhaled air under the same conditions. Blood was sampled immediately after the experiment for analysis of arterial blood gases, myocardial enzymes and cardiac troponin I. Lung was rapidly removed to be made into tissue homogenates and then cytochrome c oxidase activity was measured; myocardial and lung ultrastructural changes were observed by electron microscopy. Arterial blood gases: partial pressure of O2 (mmHg) (Group A, 97.6 ± 8.38; B, 76.5 ± 6.95*; C, 83.2 ± 2.66*; D, 86.20 ± 10.75*; E, 93.50 ± 4.97: *p < 0.01 compared to group A) was significantly lower than that in group in all but HBO rats. For myocardial enzymes and cardiac troponin I every parameter in groups B and C was significantly higher than that in group A (p<0.01),with no difference in D and E. Cytochrome c oxidase activity (u/mg) of lung tissue was reduced compared to group A after all treatments (A, 1.76 ± 0.02; B, 0.36 ± 0.04; C, 0.50 ± 0.12; D, 0.56 ± 0.07; E, 0.68 ± 0.05 (A vs. B p < 0.01; B vs. C,D,E p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), with a graded effect of oxygen dose in C, D and E. Pathological changes: (1) Myocardium - Mitochondrial swelling and autolysis with blurred or broken cristae was observed in the myocardium of H2S-exposed group; in group E

  14. Automatic retinal blood vessel parameter calculation in spectral domain optical coherence tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wehbe, Hassan; Ruggeri, Marco; Jiao, Shuliang; Gregori, Giovanni; Puliafito, Carmen A.

    2007-02-01

    Measurement of retinal blood vessel parameters like the blood blow in the vessels may have significant impact on the study and diagnosis of glaucoma, a leading blinding disease worldwide. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that can provide not only microscopic structural imaging of the retina but also functional information like the blood flow velocity in the retina. The aim of this study is to automatically extract the parameters of retinal blood vessels like the 3D orientation, the vessel diameters, as well as the corresponding absolute blood flow velocity in the vessel. The parameters were extracted from circular OCT scans around the optic disc. By removing the surface reflection through simple segmentation of the circular OCT scans a blood vessel shadowgram can be generated. The lateral coordinates and the diameter of each blood vessel are extracted from the shadowgram through a series of signal processing. Upon determination of the lateral position and the vessel diameter, the coordinate in the depth direction of each blood vessel is calculated in combination with the Doppler information for the vessel. The extraction of the vessel coordinates and diameter makes it possible to calculate the orientation of the vessel in reference to the direction of the incident sample light, which in turn can be used to calculate the absolute blood flow velocity and the flow rate.

  15. Absolute instability of the Gaussian wake profile

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hultgren, Lennart S.; Aggarwal, Arun K.

    1987-01-01

    Linear parallel-flow stability theory has been used to investigate the effect of viscosity on the local absolute instability of a family of wake profiles with a Gaussian velocity distribution. The type of local instability, i.e., convective or absolute, is determined by the location of a branch-point singularity with zero group velocity of the complex dispersion relation for the instability waves. The effects of viscosity were found to be weak for values of the wake Reynolds number, based on the center-line velocity defect and the wake half-width, larger than about 400. Absolute instability occurs only for sufficiently large values of the center-line wake defect. The critical value of this parameter increases with decreasing wake Reynolds number, thereby indicating a shrinking region of absolute instability with decreasing wake Reynolds number. If backflow is not allowed, absolute instability does not occur for wake Reynolds numbers smaller than about 38.

  16. 49 CFR 236.709 - Block, absolute.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Block, absolute. 236.709 Section 236.709 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Block, absolute. A block in which no train is permitted to enter while it is occupied by another train. ...

  17. 49 CFR 236.709 - Block, absolute.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Block, absolute. 236.709 Section 236.709 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Block, absolute. A block in which no train is permitted to enter while it is occupied by another train. ...

  18. Absolute quantification of microbial taxon abundances.

    PubMed

    Props, Ruben; Kerckhof, Frederiek-Maarten; Rubbens, Peter; De Vrieze, Jo; Hernandez Sanabria, Emma; Waegeman, Willem; Monsieurs, Pieter; Hammes, Frederik; Boon, Nico

    2017-02-01

    High-throughput amplicon sequencing has become a well-established approach for microbial community profiling. Correlating shifts in the relative abundances of bacterial taxa with environmental gradients is the goal of many microbiome surveys. As the abundances generated by this technology are semi-quantitative by definition, the observed dynamics may not accurately reflect those of the actual taxon densities. We combined the sequencing approach (16S rRNA gene) with robust single-cell enumeration technologies (flow cytometry) to quantify the absolute taxon abundances. A detailed longitudinal analysis of the absolute abundances resulted in distinct abundance profiles that were less ambiguous and expressed in units that can be directly compared across studies. We further provide evidence that the enrichment of taxa (increase in relative abundance) does not necessarily relate to the outgrowth of taxa (increase in absolute abundance). Our results highlight that both relative and absolute abundances should be considered for a comprehensive biological interpretation of microbiome surveys.

  19. Longitudinal optical monitoring of blood flow in breast tumors during neoadjuvant chemotherapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cochran, J. M.; Chung, S. H.; Leproux, A.; Baker, W. B.; Busch, D. R.; DeMichele, A. M.; Tchou, J.; Tromberg, B. J.; Yodh, A. G.

    2017-06-01

    We measure tissue blood flow markers in breast tumors during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and investigate their correlation to pathologic complete response in a pilot longitudinal patient study (n  =  4). Tumor blood flow is quantified optically by diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), and tissue optical properties, blood oxygen saturation, and total hemoglobin concentration are derived from concurrent diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI). The study represents the first longitudinal DCS measurement of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in humans over the entire course of treatment; it therefore offers a first correlation between DCS flow indices and pathologic complete response. The use of absolute optical properties measured by DOSI facilitates significant improvement of DCS blood flow calculation, which typically assumes optical properties based on literature values. Additionally, the combination of the DCS blood flow index and the tissue oxygen saturation from DOSI permits investigation of tissue oxygen metabolism. Pilot results from four patients suggest that lower blood flow in the lesion-bearing breast is correlated with pathologic complete response. Both absolute lesion blood flow and lesion flow relative to the contralateral breast exhibit potential for characterization of pathological response. This initial demonstration of the combined optical approach for chemotherapy monitoring provides incentive for more comprehensive studies in the future and can help power those investigations.

  20. Meta-Analysis of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

    ClinicalTrials.gov

    2017-06-06

    Coronary Disease; Echocardiography; Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial; Hemodynamics; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging; Perfusion; Predictive Value of Tests; Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography; Positron Emission Tomography; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Echocardiography, Stress; Coronary Angiography

  1. Effects of Baicalin on Blood Pressure and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Rats with Renovascular Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Dai, Hualei; Zhang, Xinjin; Yang, Zhigang; Li, Jianmei; Zheng, Jialin

    2017-01-01

    Background This study aimed to explore the effect of baicalin, which is a kind of bioactive flavonoid, on blood pressure and left ventricular remodeling in rats with renovascular hypertension. Material/Methods A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into sham-operation (n=10) and renal hypertension model groups (2-kidney-1 clip; 2K-1C, n=30). The rats in the renal hypertension model group were randomly subdivided into 2K-1C (n=13) and 2K-1C/Baicalin groups (n=14). The cardiac function indexes were determined after 4 weeks. The morphological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. The myocardial apoptosis was detected using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling method, and the expression of C/EBP homologous protein and caspase-3 was monitored by Western blot. The expression of GRP78 and GRP94 in myocardial cells of rats was detected by qPCR and Western blot technology. Results No significant change in blood pressure was observed in the 2K-1C/Baicalin group compared with the 2K-1C group, but the indexes of left ventricular remodeling significantly improved. Pathological myocardial fibrosis and expression of fibrosis-related factors significantly decreased in the 2K-1C/Baicalin group compared with the 2K-1C group. The expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, GRP94, CHOP, and caspase-3, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes also decreased in the 2K-1C/Baicalin group. Conclusions Baicalin has no significant antihypertensive effect, but reduced pathological changes in the myocardium, alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress, and reduced myocardial apoptosis, reverting left ventricular remodeling in rats with renovascular hypertension. PMID:28622281

  2. Regulation of coronary blood flow. Effect of coronary artery stenosis.

    PubMed

    Duncker, D J; Merkus, D

    2004-12-01

    The consistently high level of myocardial oxygen extraction requires tight control of coronary blood flow, because an increase in myocardial oxygen demand, as occurs during exercise, cannot be obtained by a further increase in oxygen extraction. Consequently, adequate control of coronary vascular resistance is critical. Coronary resistance vessel tone is the result of a myriad of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor influences, which are exerted by the myocardium, endothelium and neurohumoral status. Unraveling of the integrative mechanisms controlling metabolic vasodilation has been difficult, more than likely due to the redundancy design of vasomotor control. In contrast to the traditional view that myocardial ischemia produced by a coronary artery stenosis causes maximal microvascular dilation, more recent studies have shown that the coronary microvessels retain some degree of vasodilator reserve during ischemia and remain responsive to vasoconstrictor stimuli. These observations raise the question of whether pharmacologic vasodilators acting at the microvascular level might be therapeutically useful. The critical property of effective vasodilator therapy requires selective dilation of small arteries, while avoiding coronary steal by not interfering with metabolic vasoregulation at the level of the arterioles.

  3. Absolute Humidity and the Seasonality of Influenza (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shaman, J. L.; Pitzer, V.; Viboud, C.; Grenfell, B.; Goldstein, E.; Lipsitch, M.

    2010-12-01

    Much of the observed wintertime increase of mortality in temperate regions is attributed to seasonal influenza. A recent re-analysis of laboratory experiments indicates that absolute humidity strongly modulates the airborne survival and transmission of the influenza virus. Here we show that the onset of increased wintertime influenza-related mortality in the United States is associated with anomalously low absolute humidity levels during the prior weeks. We then use an epidemiological model, in which observed absolute humidity conditions temper influenza transmission rates, to successfully simulate the seasonal cycle of observed influenza-related mortality. The model results indicate that direct modulation of influenza transmissibility by absolute humidity alone is sufficient to produce this observed seasonality. These findings provide epidemiological support for the hypothesis that absolute humidity drives seasonal variations of influenza transmission in temperate regions. In addition, we show that variations of the basic and effective reproductive numbers for influenza, caused by seasonal changes in absolute humidity, are consistent with the general timing of pandemic influenza outbreaks observed for 2009 A/H1N1 in temperate regions. Indeed, absolute humidity conditions correctly identify the region of the United States vulnerable to a third, wintertime wave of pandemic influenza. These findings suggest that the timing of pandemic influenza outbreaks is controlled by a combination of absolute humidity conditions, levels of susceptibility and changes in population mixing and contact rates.

  4. Reducing myocardial infarct size: challenges and future opportunities

    PubMed Central

    Bulluck, Heerajnarain; Yellon, Derek M; Hausenloy, Derek J

    2016-01-01

    Despite prompt reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), the mortality and morbidity of patients presenting with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain significant with 9% death and 10% heart failure at 1 year. In these patients, one important neglected therapeutic target is ‘myocardial reperfusion injury’, a term given to the cardiomyocyte death and microvascular dysfunction which occurs on reperfusing ischaemic myocardium. A number of cardioprotective therapies (both mechanical and pharmacological), which are known to target myocardial reperfusion injury, have been shown to reduce myocardial infarct (MI) size in small proof-of-concept clinical studies—however, being able to demonstrate improved clinical outcomes has been elusive. In this article, we review the challenges facing clinical cardioprotection research, and highlight future therapies for reducing MI size and preventing heart failure in patients presenting with STEMI at risk of myocardial reperfusion injury. PMID:26674987

  5. Re-OPCAB vs. Re-CABG for myocardial revascularization.

    PubMed

    Schütz, A; Mair, H; Wildhirt, S M; Gillrath, G; Lamm, P; Kilger, E; Reichart, B

    2001-06-01

    The present study compared redo coronary artery bypass grafting (Re-OPCAB) techniques with conventional redo coronary artery bypass grafting (Re-CABG) with particular focus on myocardial damage and clinical outcome parameters. Redo OPCAB (Re-OPCAB) was performed on 20 consecutive patients (15 males, mean age 63.2 +/- 9.3 years) using either the anterolateral approach for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (n = 4) or the Octopus technique with regular sternotomy (n = 16). The Re-CABG group consisted of 20 consecutive patients (18 males, mean age 67.1 +/- 6.6 years). Groups did not differ in the number of atherosclerotic risk factors, or left ventricular, renal or liver function. Duration of surgery, number of bypass grafts and amount of transfused red blood cells did not differ significantly between both groups. Requirement of epinephrine (mg/h) within the first 24 h was lower in the Re-OPCAB group (Re-OPCAB: 0.14 +/- 0.22 vs. CABG: 0.88 +/- 0.97; p<0.01). In addition, CKMB levels at 24 h after operation were lower in the Re-OPCAB group (Re-OPCAB: 10.0 +/- 10.1 vs. Re-CABG: 38.7 +/- 28.1 U/l, p<0.001). There were no acute myocardial infarctions or deaths in the perioperative period. In the CABG group, there was a longer time period to extubation (hours) (Re-OPCAB: 9.8 +/- 3.9 vs. Re-CABG: 28.7 +/- 25.5; p<0.001), and the length of ICU stay was significantly prolonged (OPCAB: 1.3 +/- 0.5 versus Re-CABG: 4.4 +/- 8.7; p<0.001). The graft patency rate at follow-up was 95% in the Re-OPCAB group. Re-OPCAB results in decreased cardiac specific enzyme release, reduced requirement of inotropes and comparable clinical outcome in the early postoperative period. It is an appropriate alternative to conventional Re-CABG in selected patients awaiting reoperation for myocardial revascularization. Larger prospective and randomized trials are required to select the appropriate patient who benefits most from one or the other treatment regime.

  6. Myocardial infarction false alarm: initial electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Esha Das; Sakthiswary, Rajalingham

    2014-05-01

    The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of a myocardial infarction "false alarm" and evaluate the efficacy of the initial electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes in diagnosing myocardial infarction in Malaysia. We recruited patients who were admitted with suspected myocardial infarction from June to August 2008. The medical records of these patients were reviewed for the initial electrocardiogram, initial cardiac enzyme levels (creatinine kinase-MB and troponin T), and the final diagnosis upon discharge. The subjects were stratified into 2 groups: true myocardial infarction, and false alarm. 125 patients were enrolled in this study. Following admission and further evaluation, the diagnosis was revised from myocardial infarction to other medical conditions in 48 (38.4%) patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the initial ischemic electrocardiographic changes were 54.5% and 70.8%, respectively. Raised cardiac enzymes had a sensitivity of 44.3% and specificity of 95.8%. A significant proportion of patients in Malaysia are admitted with a false-alarm myocardial infarction. The efficacy of the electrocardiogram in diagnosing myocardial infarction in Malaysia was comparable to the findings of Western studies, but the cardiac enzymes had a much lower sensitivity.

  7. Oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance in hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and non-left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy: Insight from altered mechanics and cardiac BOLD imaging.

    PubMed

    Chen, Bing-Hua; Wu, Rui; An, Dong-Aolei; Shi, Ruo-Yang; Yao, Qiu-Ying; Lu, Qing; Hu, Jiani; Jiang, Meng; Deen, James; Chandra, Ankush; Xu, Jian-Rong; Wu, Lian-Ming

    2018-05-07

    BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) MRI can detect regional condition of myocardial oxygen supply and demand by means of paramagnetic properties. Noninvasive assessment of myocardial oxygenation by BOLD MRI in hypertensive patients with hypertension (HTN) left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy (LVMH) and HTN non-LVMH and its correlation with myocardial mechanics were performed. Prospective. Twenty patients with HTN LVMH, 21 patients with HTN non-LVMH, and 23 normotensive controls were enrolled. Cine imaging, T2* and T1 mapping sequences were achieved at 3.0T. Dedicated T1 mapping, T2*, and cine imaging analysis were performed by two radiologists using cvi42. One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Bland-Altman analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Spearman's rank correlation. T2* values of HTN LVMH group were significantly lower versus the controls (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 30.77 ± 2.71; P < 0.001) and HTN non-LVMH group (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 28.64 ± 4.23; P < 0.001). Left ventricular peak circumferential strain were reduced in HTN LVMH patients compared with other two groups (-11.32 [-15.64, -10.3], -16.78 [-19.35, -15.34], and -19.73 [-20.57, -18.73]; P < 0.05); and longitudinal strain of HTN LVMH patients were lower than other two groups (-11.31 ± 2.91, -15.1 ± 3.06, and -18.85 ± 1.85; P < 0.05); radial strain of HTN LVMH patients were also lower than other two groups (25.03 ± 16, 40.95 ± 17.5 and 47.9 ± 10.23; P < 0.05). Extracellular volume correlated with peak circumferential, longitudinal, and radial strain (spearman rho = 0.6, 0.64, and -0.69; P < 0.05), respectively; T2* negatively correlated with peak circumferential and longitudinal strain (spearman rho = -0.43 and -0.49; P < 0.05), respectively. Patients with lower T2* values had significant decreases in myocardial mechanics (P < 0.05). HTN LVMH patients have both impaired myocardial mechanics and

  8. Selective cerebro-myocardial perfusion in complex congenital aortic arch pathology: a novel technique.

    PubMed

    De Rita, Fabrizio; Lucchese, Gianluca; Barozzi, Luca; Menon, Tiziano; Faggian, Giuseppe; Mazzucco, Alessandro; Luciani, Giovanni Battista

    2011-11-01

    Simultaneous cerebro-myocardial perfusion has been described in neonatal and infant arch surgery, suggesting a reduction in cardiac morbidity. Here reported is a novel technique for selective cerebral perfusion combined with controlled and independent myocardial perfusion during surgery for complex or recurrent aortic arch lesions. From April 2008 to April 2011, 10 patients with arch pathology underwent surgery (two hypoplastic left heart syndrome [HLHS], four recurrent arch obstruction, two aortic arch hypoplasia + ventricular septal defect [VSD], one single ventricle + transposition of the great arteries + arch hypoplasia, one interrupted aortic arch type B + VSD). Median age was 63 days (6 days-36 years) and median weight 4.0 kg (1.6-52). Via midline sternotomy, an arterial cannula (6 or 8 Fr for infants) was directly inserted into the innominate artery or through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft (for neonates <2.0 kg). A cardioplegia delivery system was inserted into the aortic root. Under moderate hypothermia, ascending and descending aorta were cross-clamped, and "beating heart and brain" aortic arch repair was performed. Arch repair was composed of patch augmentation in five, end-to-side anastomosis in three, and replacement in two patients. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 163 ± 68 min (71-310). In two patients only (one HLHS, one complex single ventricle), a period of cardiac arrest was required to complete intracardiac repair. In such cases, antegrade blood cardioplegia was delivered directly via the same catheter used for selective myocardial perfusion. Average time of splanchnic ischemia during cerebro-myocardial perfusion was 39 ± 18 min (17-69). Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved without inotropic support in three and with low dose in seven patients. One patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Four patients, body weight <3.0 kg, needed delayed sternal closure. No neurologic dysfunction was noted

  9. Sevoflurane postconditioning improves myocardial mitochondrial respiratory function and reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating HIF-1

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Wu, Jianjiang; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Wang, Jiang; Xia, Zhengyuan; Zheng, Hong

    2016-01-01

    Background: Sevoflurane postconditioning (SPostC) can exert myocardial protective effects similar to ischemic preconditioning. However, the exact myocardial protection mechanism by SPostC is unclear. Studies indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) maintains cellular respiration homeostasis by regulating mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity under hypoxic conditions. This study investigated whether SPostC could regulate the expression of myocardial HIF-1α and to improve mitochondrial respiratory function, thereby relieving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. Additionally, postconditioning was performed using sevoflurane alone or in combination with the HIF-1α inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2). The changes in hemodynamic parameters, HIF-1α protein expression levels, mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rates, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were measured or observed. Results: Compared to the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, HIF-1α expression in the SPostC group was significantly up-regulated. Additionally, cardiac function indicators, mitochondrial state 3 respiratory rate, respiratory control ratio (RCR), cytochrome C oxidase (CcO), NADH oxidase (NADHO), and succinate oxidase (SUCO) activities, mitochondrial ROS production rate, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were significantly better than those in the I/R group. However, these advantages were completely reversed by the HIF-1α specific inhibitor 2ME2 (P<0.05). Conclusion: The myocardial protective function of SPostC might be associated with the improvement of mitochondrial respiratory function after up-regulation of HIF-1α expression. PMID:27830025

  10. Sevoflurane postconditioning improves myocardial mitochondrial respiratory function and reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating HIF-1.

    PubMed

    Yang, Long; Xie, Peng; Wu, Jianjiang; Yu, Jin; Yu, Tian; Wang, Haiying; Wang, Jiang; Xia, Zhengyuan; Zheng, Hong

    2016-01-01

    Sevoflurane postconditioning (SPostC) can exert myocardial protective effects similar to ischemic preconditioning. However, the exact myocardial protection mechanism by SPostC is unclear. Studies indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) maintains cellular respiration homeostasis by regulating mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity under hypoxic conditions. This study investigated whether SPostC could regulate the expression of myocardial HIF-1α and to improve mitochondrial respiratory function, thereby relieving myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rat model was established using the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus. Additionally, postconditioning was performed using sevoflurane alone or in combination with the HIF-1α inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2). The changes in hemodynamic parameters, HIF-1α protein expression levels, mitochondrial respiratory function and enzyme activity, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rates, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were measured or observed. Compared to the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, HIF-1α expression in the SPostC group was significantly up-regulated. Additionally, cardiac function indicators, mitochondrial state 3 respiratory rate, respiratory control ratio (RCR), cytochrome C oxidase (C c O), NADH oxidase (NADHO), and succinate oxidase (SUCO) activities, mitochondrial ROS production rate, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were significantly better than those in the I/R group. However, these advantages were completely reversed by the HIF-1α specific inhibitor 2ME2 ( P <0.05). The myocardial protective function of SPostC might be associated with the improvement of mitochondrial respiratory function after up-regulation of HIF-1α expression.

  11. Intravenously Delivered Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Effects Improve Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Luger, Dror; Lipinski, Michael J; Westman, Peter C; Glover, David K; Dimastromatteo, Julien; Frias, Juan C; Albelda, M Teresa; Sikora, Sergey; Kharazi, Alex; Vertelov, Grigory; Waksman, Ron; Epstein, Stephen E

    2017-05-12

    Virtually all mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) studies assume that therapeutic effects accrue from local myocardial effects of engrafted MSCs. Because few intravenously administered MSCs engraft in the myocardium, studies have mainly utilized direct myocardial delivery. We adopted a different paradigm. To test whether intravenously administered MSCs reduce left ventricular (LV) dysfunction both post-acute myocardial infarction and in ischemic cardiomyopathy and that these effects are caused, at least partly, by systemic anti-inflammatory activities. Mice underwent 45 minutes of left anterior descending artery occlusion. Human MSCs, grown chronically at 5% O 2 , were administered intravenously. LV function was assessed by serial echocardiography, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining determined infarct size, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting assessed cell composition. Fluorescent and radiolabeled MSCs (1×10 6 ) were injected 24 hours post-myocardial infarction and homed to regions of myocardial injury; however, the myocardium contained only a small proportion of total MSCs. Mice received 2×10 6 MSCs or saline intravenously 24 hours post-myocardial infarction (n=16 per group). At day 21, we harvested blood and spleens for fluorescence-activated cell sorting and hearts for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Adverse LV remodeling and deteriorating LV ejection fraction occurred in control mice with large infarcts (≥25% LV). Intravenous MSCs eliminated the progressive deterioration in LV end-diastolic volume and LV end-systolic volume. MSCs significantly decreased natural killer cells in the heart and spleen and neutrophils in the heart. Specific natural killer cell depletion 24 hours pre-acute myocardial infarction significantly improved infarct size, LV ejection fraction, and adverse LV remodeling, changes associated with decreased neutrophils in the heart. In an ischemic cardiomyopathy model, mice 4 weeks post-myocardial infarction were

  12. Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in Human Artery Using (A, Q) and (A, u) Systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mungkasi, Sudi; Wijayanti Budiawan, Inge

    2018-03-01

    In this paper, we model blood flow in human artery in the form of (𝐴, 𝑄) and (𝐴, 𝑢) systems, then we use the Lax-Friedrichs finite volume method to find the numerical solution of each model. Here 𝐴 represents the cross sectional area of the artery, 𝑄 denotes the discharge of the blood flow, and 𝑢 is the velocity of the blood flow. We simulate the numerical scheme of each model and investigate how the blood pressure pulse propagates in human artery. Particularly, we use the residual of 𝐴 to determine which system is better numerically. We obtain that the (𝐴, 𝑄) system is better numerically than the (𝐴, 𝑢) system, because the absolute of the residual of 𝐴 using the (𝐴, 𝑄) system is smaller than the absolute of the residual of 𝐴 using the (𝐴, 𝑢) system.

  13. Low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants.

    PubMed

    Kourtis, Athena P; Bramson, Brian; van der Horst, Charles; Kazembe, Peter; Ahmed, Yusuf; Chasela, Charles; Hosseinipour, Mina; Knight, Rodney; Lugalia, Lebah; Tegha, Gerald; Joaki, George; Jafali, Robert; Jamieson, Denise J

    2005-07-01

    Infants of African origin have a lower normal range of absolute neutrophil counts than white infants; this fact, however, remains under appreciated by clinical researchers in the United States. During the initial stages of a clinical trial in Malawi, the authors noted an unexpectedly high number of infants with absolute neutrophil counts that would be classifiable as neutropenic using the National Institutes of Health's Division of AIDS toxicity tables. The authors argue that the relevant Division of AIDS table does not take into account the available evidence of low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants and that a systematic collection of data from many African settings might help establish the absolute neutrophil count cutpoints to be used for defining neutropenia in African populations.

  14. Absolute colorimetric characterization of a DSLR camera

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guarnera, Giuseppe Claudio; Bianco, Simone; Schettini, Raimondo

    2014-03-01

    A simple but effective technique for absolute colorimetric camera characterization is proposed. It offers a large dynamic range requiring just a single, off-the-shelf target and a commonly available controllable light source for the characterization. The characterization task is broken down in two modules, respectively devoted to absolute luminance estimation and to colorimetric characterization matrix estimation. The characterized camera can be effectively used as a tele-colorimeter, giving an absolute estimation of the XYZ data in cd=m2. The user is only required to vary the f - number of the camera lens or the exposure time t, to better exploit the sensor dynamic range. The estimated absolute tristimulus values closely match the values measured by a professional spectro-radiometer.

  15. Effects of increasing left ventricular filling pressure in patients with acute myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Russell, Richard O.; Rackley, Charles E.; Pombo, Jaoquin; Hunt, David; Potanin, Constantine; Dodge, Harold T.

    1970-01-01

    Left ventricular performance in 19 patients with acute myocardial infarction has been evaluated by measuring left ventricular response in terms of cardiac output, stroke volume, work, and power to progressive elevation of filling pressure accomplished by progressive expansion of blood volume with rapid infusion of low molecular weight dextran. Such infusion can elevate the cardiac output, stroke volume, work, and power and thus delineate the function of the left ventricle by Frank-Starling function curves. Left ventricular filling pressure in the range of 20-24 mm Hg was associated with the peak of the curves and when the filling pressure exceeded this range, the curves became flattened or decreased. An increase in cardiac output could be maintained for 4 or more hr. Patients with a flattened function curve had a high mortality in the ensuing 8 wk. The function curve showed improvement in myocardial function during the early convalescence. When left ventricular filling pressure is monitored directly or as pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure, low molecular weight dextran provides a method for assessment of left ventricular function. Images PMID:5431663

  16. Changing axis deviation during acute myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

    2010-07-09

    Changing axis deviation has been reported during acute myocardial infarction also associated with atrial fibrillation. Isolated left posterior hemiblock is a very rare finding but the evidence of transient right axis deviation with a left posterior hemiblock pattern has been reported during acute anterior myocardial infarction as related with significant right coronary artery obstruction and collateral circulation between the left coronary system and the posterior descending artery. We present a case of changing axis deviation in a 70-year-old Italian man with acute myocardial infarction. Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Cardiac DPP-4 inhibition by saxagliptin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced myocardial remodeling and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in rats.

    PubMed

    Ikeda, Junichi; Kimoto, Naoya; Kitayama, Tetsuya; Kunori, Shunji

    2016-09-01

    Saxagliptin, a potent and selective DPP-4 inhibitor, is characterized by its slow dissociation from DPP-4 and its long half-life and is expected to have a potent tissue membrane-bound DPP-4-inhibitory effect in various tissues. In the present study, we examined the effects of saxagliptin on in situ cardiac DPP-4 activity. We also examined the effects of saxagliptin on isoproterenol-induced the changes in the early stage such as, myocardial remodeling and cardiac diastolic dysfunction. Male SD rats treated with isoproterenol (1 mg/kg/day via osmotic pump) received vehicle or saxagliptin (17.5 mg/kg via drinking water) for 2 weeks. In situ cardiac DPP-4 activity was measured by a colorimetric assay. Cardiac gene expressions were examined and an echocardiographic analysis was performed. Saxagliptin treatment significantly inhibited in situ cardiac DPP-4 activity and suppressed isoproterenol-induced myocardial remodeling and the expression of related genes without altering the blood glucose levels. Saxagliptin also significantly ameliorated cardiac diastolic dysfunction in isoproterenol-treated rats. In conclusion, the inhibition of DPP-4 activity in cardiac tissue by saxagliptin was associated with suppression of myocardial remodeling and cardiac diastolic dysfunction independently of its glucose-lowering action in isoproterenol-treated rats. Cardiac DPP-4 activity may contribute to myocardial remodeling in the development of heart failure. Copyright © 2016 Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co.,Ltd. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Comparison of adenosine, isoflurane, and desflurane on myocardial tissue oxygen pressure during coronary artery constriction in dogs.

    PubMed

    Hoffman, William E; Albrecht, Ronald F; Jonjev, Zivojin S

    2003-08-01

    To compare adenosine-, isoflurane-, or desflurane-induced hypotension with and without left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery constriction for the effects on myocardial tissue oxygen pressure (PmO(2)) in dogs. Prospective, randomized, nonblinded. University teaching hospital. Male nonpurpose-bred dogs (n = 18). Dogs were anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane (n = 12) or 8% desflurane (n = 6). A flow probe and balloon occluder were placed on the LAD artery. A probe that measured myocardial oxygen pressure was inserted into the middle myocardium in the LAD region. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) was calculated as LAD flow x arterial minus coronary sinus oxygen content. Measures were made during hypotension produced by adenosine infusion, 2.8% isoflurane, or 14% desflurane with and without LAD constriction to decrease blood flow 30%. Without LAD artery constriction, adenosine infusion increased LAD flow 90% and MVO(2) 70%, 2.8% isoflurane produced no change in MVO(2), and 14% desflurane decreased MVO(2) 25%, but no treatment changed PmO(2). LAD artery constriction decreased PmO(2) 50% by itself. Adenosine infusion during LAD constriction decreased tissue oxygen pressure an additional 60%, 2.8% isoflurane produced no change, and 14% desflurane increased PmO(2) 100%. There was an inverse relationship between the effect of adenosine, 2.8% isoflurane, and 14% desflurane on MVO(2) and PmO(2) during ischemia. This is consistent with reports that increasing oxygen demand worsens myocardial ischemia.

  19. Myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function indices assessed by gated myocardial perfusion SPECT in methamphetamine abusers.

    PubMed

    Dadpour, Bita; Dabbagh Kakhki, Vahid R; Afshari, Reza; Dorri-Giv, Masoumeh; Mohajeri, Seyed A R; Ghahremani, Somayeh

    2016-12-01

    Methamphetamine (MA) is associated with alterations of cardiac structure and function, although it is less known. In this study, we assessed possible abnormality in myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function using gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. Fifteen patients with MA abuse, on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) MA dependency determined by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, underwent 2-day dipyridamole stress/rest Tc-sestamibi gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. An average daily dose of MA use was 0.91±1.1 (0.2-4) g. The duration of MA use was 3.4±2.1 (1-7) years. In visual and semiquantitative analyses, all patients had normal gated myocardial perfusion SPECT, with no perfusion defects. In all gated SPECT images, there was no abnormality in left ventricular wall motion and thickening. All summed stress scores and summed rest scores were below 3. Calculated left ventricular functional indices including the end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction were normal. Many cardiac findings because of MA mentioned in previous reports are less likely because of significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis.

  20. Myocardial bridges, neither rare nor isolated-Autopsy study.

    PubMed

    Teofilovski-Parapid, G; Jankovic, R; Kanjuh, V; Virmani, R; Danchin, N; Prates, N; Simic, D V; Parapid, B

    2017-03-01

    Myocardial bridge is a congenital anomaly with a markedly variable reported incidence on autopsy (4.7%-86%), likely related to geographical regions. Our previous retrospective study showed a prevalence of 0.8%, which we doubted to be the true one in the examined sample of the Serbian population. To assess the importance of the phenomenon we conducted a 2-year prospective study at the same institution. Ninety-six cadaver hearts from adult individuals of both genders (51 men, 45 women) who died from natural causes underwent special dissection. Tunneled coronary arteries and myocardium were examined using light microscopy. A total of 14 myocardial bridges were found in 13 (13.54%) hearts. This anomaly was insignificantly more common in men (13.72% vs. 13.33%, p>0.05). In one heart we noted two myocardial bridges (the left anterior interventricular artery and left marginal artery were overbridged). None of the myocardial bridges had been diagnosed during life. The most common causes of death were cardiac related. Myocardial bridges were located in the following areas: left anterior interventricular (50%), left circumflex artery (28.6%), left marginal artery (14.3%), and right coronary artery (7.1%). In 92.3% of cases, the right coronary artery was dominant. The only heart with a balanced-type had two bridges. Most of the myocardial bridges were long and deep. All tunneled coronary arteries, and although surrounded by "coronary cushion," were not protected from atherosclerosis. In 30.8% of hearts with myocardial bridges, we found additional coronary artery anomalies. Myocardial bridges were not rare in the examined sample of the Serbian population and were often associated with other coronary artery anomalies, rendering the carriers at higher risk. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  1. Conditioning the heart to prevent myocardial reperfusion injury during PPCI

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    For patients presenting with a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), early myocardial reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains the most effective treatment strategy for limiting myocardial infarct size, preserving left ventricular systolic function, and preventing the onset of heart failure. Recent advances in PCI technology to improve myocardial reperfusion and the introduction of novel anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents to maintain the patency of the infarct-related coronary artery continue to optimize PPCI procedure. However, despite these improvements, STEMI patients still experience significant major adverse cardiovascular events. One major contributing factor has been the inability to protect the heart against the lethal myocardial reperfusion injury, which accompanies PPCI. Past attempts to translate cardioprotective strategies, discovered in experimental studies to prevent lethal myocardial reperfusion injury, into the clinical setting of PPCI have been disappointing. However, a number of recent proof-of-concept clinical studies suggest that the heart can be ‘conditioned’ to protect itself against lethal myocardial reperfusion injury, as evidenced by a reduction in myocardial infarct size. This can be achieved using either mechanical (such as ischaemic postconditioning, remote ischaemic preconditioning, therapeutic hypothermia, or hyperoxaemia) or pharmacological (such as cyclosporin-A, natriuretic peptide, exenatide) ‘conditioning’ strategies as adjuncts to PPCI. Furthermore, recent developments in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can provide a non-invasive imaging strategy for assessing the efficacy of these novel adjunctive therapies to PPCI in terms of key surrogate clinical endpoints such as myocardial infarct size, myocardial salvage, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the presence of microvascular obstruction or intramyocardial haemorrhage. In this article, we review the

  2. Myocardial uptake of cocaine and effects of cocaine on myocardial substrate utilization and perfusion in hypertensive rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Som, P.; Wang, G.J.; Oster, Z.H.

    Cocaine abuse is a problem causing world-wide concern and the number of deaths following cocaine use is increasing. Cardiovascular complications following cocaine include severe tachyarrythmias, pulmonary edema, myocardial infarction, and acute renal failure, which are major problems confronting emergency facilities. While the studies of cocaine effects on the brain have been given the most attention, it is clear that the effects of cocaine on the cardiovascular system are of great importance, given the increasing number of reports on sudden death and myocardial infarctions in young adults related to cocaine use. The precise mechanisms of cardiotoxic actions of cocaine are unclear.more » We investigated the whole-body distribution of C-14-labeled cocaine to determine the cocaine-binding sites, including blocking experiments to determine the nature of regional binding sites, and differential response of the normal vs. diseased heart (hypertensive cardiomyopathy) in an animal model to mimic a potentially high risk population. We investigated the acute effects of cocaine on myocardial metabolism using two myocardial energy substrate analogs, fatty acid and glucose with comparison with regional perfusion.« less

  3. The role of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate in myocardial imaging to recognize, localize and identify extension of acute myocardial infarction in patients

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willerson, J. T.; Parkey, R. W.; Bonte, F. J.; Stokely, E. M.; Buja, E. M.

    1975-01-01

    The ability of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigrams to aid diagnostically in recognizing, localizing, and identifying extension of acute myocardial infarction in patients was evaluated. The present study is an extension of previous animal and patient evaluations that were recently performed utilizing this myocardial imaging agent.

  4. Quantification of myocardial oxygenation in heart failure using blood-oxygen-level-dependent T2* magnetic resonance imaging: Comparison with cardiopulmonary exercise test.

    PubMed

    Nagao, Michinobu; Yamasaki, Yuzo; Kawanami, Satoshi; Kamitani, Takeshi; Sagiyama, Koji; Higo, Taiki; Ide, Tomomi; Takemura, Atsushi; Ishizaki, Umiko; Fukushima, Kenji; Watanabe, Yuji; Honda, Hiroshi

    2017-06-01

    Quantification of myocardial oxygenation (MO) in heart failure (HF) has been less than satisfactory. This has necessitated the use of invasive techniques to measure MO directly or to determine the oxygen demand during exercise using the cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) test. We propose a new quantification method for MO using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) myocardial T2* magnetic resonance imaging (M-T2* MRI), and investigate its correlation with CPX results. Thirty patients with refractory HF who underwent cardiac MRI and CPX test for heart transplantation, and 24 healthy, age-matched volunteers as controls were enrolled. M-T2* imaging was performed using a 3-Tesla and multi-echo gradient-echo sequence. M-T2* was calculated by fitting the signal intensity data for the mid-left ventricular septum to a decay curve. M-T2* was measured under room-air (T2*-air) and after inhalation of oxygen for 10min at a flow rate of 10L/min (T2*-oxy). MO was defined as the difference between the two values (ΔT2*). Changes in M-T2* at the two conditions and ΔT2* between the two groups were compared. Correlation between ΔT2* and CPX results was analyzed using the Pearson coefficient. T2*-oxy was significantly greater than T2*-air in patients with HF (29.9±7.3ms vs. 26.7±6.0ms, p<0.001), whereas no such difference was observed in controls (25.5±4.0ms vs. 25.4±4.4ms). ΔT2* was significantly greater for patients with HF than for controls (3.2±4.5ms vs. -0.1±1.3ms, p<0.001). A significant correlation between ΔT2* and CPX results (peak VO 2 , r=-0.46, p<0.05; O 2 pulse, r=-0.54, p<0.005) was observed. ΔT2* is increased T2*-oxy is greater in patients with HF, and is correlated with oxygen metabolism during exercise as measured by the CPX test. Hence, ΔT2* can be used as a surrogate marker of MO instead of CPX test. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of LMI1195: first-in-human study of a novel 18F-labeled tracer for imaging myocardial innervation.

    PubMed

    Sinusas, Albert J; Lazewatsky, Joel; Brunetti, Jacqueline; Heller, Gary; Srivastava, Ajay; Liu, Yi-Hwa; Sparks, Richard; Puretskiy, Andrey; Lin, Shu-fei; Crane, Paul; Carson, Richard E; Lee, L Veronica

    2014-09-01

    A novel (18)F-labeled ligand for the norepinephrine transporter (N-[3-bromo-4-(3-(18)F-fluoro-propoxy)-benzyl]-guanidine [LMI1195]) is in clinical development for mapping cardiac nerve terminals in vivo using PET. Human safety, whole-organ biodistribution, and radiation dosimetry of LMI1195 were evaluated in a phase 1 clinical trial. Twelve healthy subjects at 3 clinical sites were injected intravenously with 150-250 MBq of LMI1195. Dynamic PET images were obtained over the heart for 10 min, followed by sequential whole-body images for approximately 5 h. Blood samples were obtained, and heart rate, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure were monitored before and during imaging. Residence times were determined from multiexponential regression of organ region-of-interest data normalized by administered activity (AA). Radiation dose estimates were calculated using OLINDA/EXM. Myocardial, lung, liver, and blood-pool standardized uptake values were determined at different time intervals. No adverse events due to LMI1195 were seen. Blood radioactivity cleared quickly, whereas myocardial uptake remained stable and uniform throughout the heart over 4 h. Liver and lung activity cleared relatively rapidly, providing favorable target-to-background ratios for cardiac imaging. The urinary bladder demonstrated the largest peak uptake (18.3% AA), followed by the liver (15.5% AA). The mean effective dose was 0.026 ± 0.0012 mSv/MBq. Approximately 1.6% AA was seen in the myocardium initially, remaining above 1.5% AA (decay-corrected) through 4 h after injection. The myocardium-to-liver ratio was approximately unity initially, increasing to more than 2 at 4 h. These preliminary data suggest that LMI1195 is well tolerated and yields a radiation dose comparable to that of other commonly used PET radiopharmaceuticals. The kinetics of myocardial and adjacent organ activity suggest that cardiac imaging should be possible with acceptable patient radiation dose. © 2014 by the Society of

  6. Hemoglobin oxygen affinty in patients with low-output heart failure and cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infaraction.

    PubMed

    Agostoni, A; Lotto, A; Stabilini, R; Bernasconi, C; Gerli, G; Gattinoni, L; Lapichino, G; Sslvadé, P

    1975-06-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the oxigen affinity actually present in vivo in blood from patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction had normal value of P50 in vivo (partial pressure of oxygen at which 50 percent of the hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen at fixed levels of pHand PC02 present in vivo). Also the values of P50 in vivo of blood from patients with low cardiac output with mild or severe heart failured did not differ from the normal mean. This was the consequence of an increase of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate levels (which reduces the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin) and of the immediate effect of alkalosis (Bohr effect). By contrast, the values of P50 in vivo were significantly increased in patients with cardiogenic shock. This could be ascribed to the state of acute acidiosis present in these patients. In these conditions the changes in the values of P50 in vivo play an important role in the oxygen delivery to the tissues. However, high values of P50 do not enhance oxygen delivery when a severe arterial hypoxemia (P02 smaller than 40-45 mm Hg) is also present.

  7. Calibration of diffuse correlation spectroscopy blood flow index with venous-occlusion diffuse optical spectroscopy in skeletal muscle

    PubMed Central

    Li, Zhe; Baker, Wesley B.; Parthasarathy, Ashwin B.; Ko, Tiffany S.; Wang, Detian; Schenkel, Steven; Durduran, Turgut; Li, Gang; Yodh, Arjun G.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract. We investigate and assess the utility of a simple scheme for continuous absolute blood flow monitoring based on diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). The scheme calibrates DCS using venous-occlusion diffuse optical spectroscopy (VO-DOS) measurements of arm muscle tissue at a single time-point. A calibration coefficient (γ) for the arm is determined, permitting conversion of DCS blood flow indices to absolute blood flow units, and a study of healthy adults (N=10) is carried out to ascertain the variability of γ. The average DCS calibration coefficient for the right (i.e., dominant) arm was γ=(1.24±0.15)×108 (mL·100  mL−1·min−1)/(cm2/s). However, variability can be significant and is apparent in our site-to-site and day-to-day repeated measurements. The peak hyperemic blood flow overshoot relative to baseline resting flow was also studied following arm-cuff ischemia; excellent agreement between VO-DOS and DCS was found (R2=0.95, slope=0.94±0.07, mean difference=−0.10±0.45). Finally, we show that incorporation of subject-specific absolute optical properties significantly improves blood flow calibration accuracy. PMID:26720870

  8. Cryogenic, Absolute, High Pressure Sensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chapman, John J. (Inventor); Shams. Qamar A. (Inventor); Powers, William T. (Inventor)

    2001-01-01

    A pressure sensor is provided for cryogenic, high pressure applications. A highly doped silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor is bonded to a silicon substrate in an absolute pressure sensing configuration. The absolute pressure sensor is bonded to an aluminum nitride substrate. Aluminum nitride has appropriate coefficient of thermal expansion for use with highly doped silicon at cryogenic temperatures. A group of sensors, either two sensors on two substrates or four sensors on a single substrate are packaged in a pressure vessel.

  9. Automatic Delineation of the Myocardial Wall from CT Images via Shape Segmentation and Variational Region Growing

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Liangjia; Gao, Yi; Appia, Vikram; Yezzi, Anthony; Arepalli, Chesnal; Faber, Tracy; Stillman, Arthur; Tannenbaum, Allen

    2014-01-01

    Prognosis and diagnosis of cardiac diseases frequently require quantitative evaluation of the ventricle volume, mass, and ejection fraction. The delineation of the myocardial wall is involved in all of these evaluations, which is a challenging task due to large variations in myocardial shapes and image quality. In this work, we present an automatic method for extracting the myocardial wall of the left and right ventricles from cardiac CT images. In the method, the left and right ventricles are located sequentially, in which each ventricle is detected by first identifying the endocardium and then segmenting the epicardium. To this end, the endocardium is localized by utilizing its geometric features obtained on-line from a CT image. After that, a variational region-growing model is employed to extract the epicardium of the ventricles. In particular, the location of the endocardium of the left ventricle is determined via using an active contour model on the blood-pool surface. To localize the right ventricle, the active contour model is applied on a heart surface extracted based on the left ventricle segmentation result. The robustness and accuracy of the proposed approach is demonstrated by experimental results from 33 human and 12 pig CT images. PMID:23744658

  10. Remote ischaemic postconditioning protects the heart during acute myocardial infarction in pigs

    PubMed Central

    Andreka, Gyorgy; Vertesaljai, Marton; Szantho, Gergely; Font, Gusztav; Piroth, Zsolt; Fontos, Geza; Juhasz, Eszter D; Szekely, Laszlo; Szelid, Zsolt; Turner, Mark S; Ashrafian, Houman; Frenneaux, Michael P

    2007-01-01

    Background Ischaemic preconditioning results in a reduction in ischaemic‐reperfusion injury to the heart. This beneficial effect is seen both with direct local preconditioning of the myocardium and with remote preconditioning of easily accessible distant non‐vital limb tissue. Ischaemic postconditioning with a comparable sequence of brief periods of local ischaemia, when applied immediately after the ischaemic insult, confers benefits similar to preconditioning. Objective To test the hypothesis that limb ischaemia induces remote postconditioning and hence reduces experimental myocardial infarct size in a validated swine model of acute myocardial infarction. Methods Acute myocardial infarction was induced in 24 pigs with 90 min balloon inflations of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Remote ischaemic postconditioning was induced in 12 of the pigs by four 5 min cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation applied to the lower limb immediately after the balloon deflation. Infarct size was assessed by measuring 72 h creatinine kinase release, MRI scan and immunohistochemical analysis. Results Area under the curve of creatinine kinase release was significantly reduced in the postconditioning group compared with the control group with a 26% reduction in the infarct size (p<0.05). This was confirmed by MRI scanning and immunohistochemical analysis that revealed a 22% (p<0.05) and a 47.52% (p<0.01) relative reduction in the infarct size, respectively. Conclusion Remote ischaemic postconditioning is a simple technique to reduce infarct size without the hazards and logistics of multiple coronary artery balloon inflations. This type of conditioning promises clear clinical potential. PMID:17449499

  11. ATLS Hypovolemic Shock Classification by Prediction of Blood Loss in Rats Using Regression Models.

    PubMed

    Choi, Soo Beom; Choi, Joon Yul; Park, Jee Soo; Kim, Deok Won

    2016-07-01

    In our previous study, our input data set consisted of 78 rats, the blood loss in percent as a dependent variable, and 11 independent variables (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, respiration rate, temperature, perfusion index, lactate concentration, shock index, and new index (lactate concentration/perfusion)). The machine learning methods for multicategory classification were applied to a rat model in acute hemorrhage to predict the four Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) hypovolemic shock classes for triage in our previous study. However, multicategory classification is much more difficult and complicated than binary classification. We introduce a simple approach for classifying ATLS hypovolaemic shock class by predicting blood loss in percent using support vector regression and multivariate linear regression (MLR). We also compared the performance of the classification models using absolute and relative vital signs. The accuracies of support vector regression and MLR models with relative values by predicting blood loss in percent were 88.5% and 84.6%, respectively. These were better than the best accuracy of 80.8% of the direct multicategory classification using the support vector machine one-versus-one model in our previous study for the same validation data set. Moreover, the simple MLR models with both absolute and relative values could provide possibility of the future clinical decision support system for ATLS classification. The perfusion index and new index were more appropriate with relative changes than absolute values.

  12. Quantification and significance of diffuse myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in childhood hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Hussain, Tarique; Dragulescu, Andreea; Benson, Lee; Yoo, Shi-Joon; Meng, Howard; Windram, Jonathan; Wong, Derek; Greiser, Andreas; Friedberg, Mark; Mertens, Luc; Seed, Michael; Redington, Andrew; Grosse-Wortmann, Lars

    2015-06-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of diffuse myocardial fibrosis in children and adolescents with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and to assess associations with echocardiographic and clinical parameters of disease. While a common end point in adults with HCM, it is unclear whether diffuse myocardial fibrosis occurs early in the disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) estimation of myocardial post-contrast longitudinal relaxation time (T1) is an increasingly used method to estimate diffuse fibrosis. T1 measurements were taken using standard multi-breath-hold spoiled gradient echo phase-sensitive inversion-recovery CMR before and 15 min after the injection of gadolinium. The tissue-blood partition coefficient was calculated as a function of the ratio of T1 change of myocardium compared with blood. An echocardiogram and blood brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were obtained on the day of the CMR. Twelve controls (mean age 12.8 years; 7 male) and 28 patients with HCM (mean age 12.8 years; 21 male) participated. The partition coefficient for both septal (0.27 ± 0.17 vs. 0.13 ± 0.09; p = 0.03) and lateral walls (0.22 ± 0.09 vs. 0.07 ± 0.10; p < 0.001) was increased in patients compared with controls. Eight patients had overt areas of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). These patients did not show increased partition coefficient compared with those without LGE (0.27 ± 0.15 vs. 0.27 ± 0.19 and 0.22 ± 0.09 vs. 0.22 ± 0.09; p = 0.95 and 0.98, respectively). However, patients who were symptomatic (dyspnea, arrhythmia and/or chest pain) had higher lateral wall partition coefficient than asymptomatic HCM patients (0.27 ± 0.08 vs. 0.17 ± 0.08; p = 0.006). Similarly, patients with raised BNP (>100 pg/ml) had raised lateral wall coefficients (0.27 ± 0.07 vs. 0.20 ± 0.07; p = 0.03), as did those with traditional risk factors for sudden death (0.27 ± 0.06 vs. 0.18 ± 0.08; p = 0.007). Diffuse fibrosis, measured by the partition coefficient

  13. Absolute Income, Relative Income, and Happiness

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ball, Richard; Chernova, Kateryna

    2008-01-01

    This paper uses data from the World Values Survey to investigate how an individual's self-reported happiness is related to (i) the level of her income in absolute terms, and (ii) the level of her income relative to other people in her country. The main findings are that (i) both absolute and relative income are positively and significantly…

  14. Glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB plasma kinetics is not related to myocardial ischemia induced by exercise stress echo test.

    PubMed

    Dobric, Milan; Giga, Vojislav; Beleslin, Branko; Ignjatovic, Svetlana; Paunovic, Ivana; Stepanovic, Jelena; Djordjevic-Dikic, Ana; Kostic, Jelena; Nedeljkovic, Ivana; Nedeljkovic, Milan; Tesic, Milorad; Dajak, Marijana; Ostojic, Miodrag

    2013-10-01

    Glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) is released from cardiac cells during myocyte damage. Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding the relation of enzyme release and reversible myocardial ischemia. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma kinetics of GPBB as a response to the exercise stress echocardiographic test (ESET), and to define the relationship between myocardial ischemia and enzyme plasma concentrations. We studied 46 consecutive patients undergoing ESET, with recent coronary angiography. In all patients, a submaximal stress echo test according to Bruce protocol was performed. Concentration of GPBB was measured in peripheral blood that was sampled 5 min before and 10, 30 and 60 min after ESET. There was significant increase of GPBB concentration after the test (p=0.021). Significant increase was detected 30 min (34.9% increase, p=0.021) and 60 min (34.5% increase, p=0.016) after ESET. There was no significant effect of myocardial ischemia on GPBB concentrations (p=0.126), and no significant interaction between sampling intervals and myocardial ischemia, suggesting a similar release profile of GPBB in ischemic and non-ischemic conditions (p=0.558). Patients in whom ESET was terminated later (stages 4 or 5 of standard Bruce protocol; n=13) had higher GPBB concentrations than patients who terminated ESET earlier (stages 1, 2 or 3; n=33) (p=0.049). Baseline GPBB concentration was not correlated to any of the patients' demographic, clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. GPBB plasma concentration increases after ESET, and it is not related to inducible myocardial ischemia. However, it seems that GPBB release during ESET might be related to exercise load/duration.

  15. Myocardial preconditioning reduces kidney injury and apoptosis induced by myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Huang, Cheng-Hsiung; Lai, Chang-Chi; Yang, An-Han; Chiang, Shu-Chiung

    2015-09-01

    Acute kidney injury is a common and serious complication of cardiac surgery. Because its underlying mechanisms are unclear, there is no specific therapy to prevent or treat it. A regional transient ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) may provide protection to distant tissue or organs, a phenomenon known as remote preconditioning. In this study, we investigated whether myocardial preconditioning (MPC) would reduce kidney injury and apoptosis induced by myocardial I/R, as well as the mechanisms involved. Myocardial I/R was induced by a 40-min occlusion of the left anterior descending artery and a 3-h reperfusion in anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. MPC was elicited by two 10-min coronary artery occlusions and two 10-min reperfusions. A sham group received the same surgical procedures without coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. Compared with the sham group, myocardial I/R significantly increased the serum creatinine levels (1.15 ± 0.44 vs 0.54 ± 0.23 mg/dl, P < 0.05, mean ± standard deviation) and renal histological damage, indicating increased kidney injury. Kidney apoptosis was also significantly increased, as evidenced by the increase in the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labelling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei, clear DNA laddering and increased caspase-3 activation. Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly elevated, as were TNF-α levels in the kidneys. MPC significantly decreased myocardial infarct size (18.5 ± 3.1 vs 25.6 ± 2.1% of area at risk, P < 0.001). Additionally, MPC significantly reduced the serum creatinine level (0.65 ± 0.19 mg/dl, P < 0.05), renal histological damage and apoptosis. The increase in the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6, and of TNF-α in the kidneys, was significantly inhibited. Western blot analysis found that MPC significantly increased Bcl-2 and decreased Bax in the kidneys

  16. Pneumococcal vaccination and risk of myocardial infarction

    PubMed Central

    Lamontagne, François; Garant, Marie-Pierre; Carvalho, Jean-Christophe; Lanthier, Luc; Smieja, Marek; Pilon, Danielle

    2008-01-01

    Background Based on promising results from laboratory studies, we hypothesized that pneumococcal vaccination would protect patients from myocardial infarction. Methods We conducted a hospital-based case–control study that included patients considered to be at risk of myocardial infarction. We used health databases to obtain hospital diagnoses and vaccination status. We compared patients who had been admitted for treatment of myocardial infarction with patients admitted to a surgical department in the same hospital for a reason other than myocardial infarction between 1997 and 2003. Results We found a total of 43 209 patients who were at risk; of these, we matched 999 cases and 3996 controls according to age, sex and year of hospital admission. Cases were less likely than controls to have been vaccinated (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–0.70). This putative protective role of the vaccine was not observed for patients who had received the vaccine up to 1 year before myocardial infarction (adjusted OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.54–1.33). In contrast, if vaccination had occurred 2 years or more before the hospital admission, the association was stronger (adjusted OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.20–0.46). Interpretation Pneumococcal vaccination was associated with a decrease of more than 50% in the rate myocardial infarction 2 years after exposure. If confirmed, this association should generate interest in exploring the putative mechanisms and may offer another reason to promote pneumococcal vaccination. PMID:18838452

  17. Exogenous Nkx2.5- or GATA-4-transfected rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and myocardial cell co-culture on the treatment of myocardial infarction in rabbits.

    PubMed

    Li, Pu; Zhang, Lei

    2015-08-01

    The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Nkx2.5 or GATA-4 transfection with myocardial extracellular environment co-culture on the transformation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into differentiated cardiomyocytes. Nkx2.5 or GATA-4 were transfected into myocardial extracellular environment co-cultured BMSCs, and then injected into the periphery of infarcted myocardium of a myocardial infarction rabbit model. The effects of these gene transfections and culture on the infarcted myocardium were observed and the results may provide an experimental basis for the efficient myocardial cell differentiation of BMSCs. The present study also suggested that these cells may provide a source and clinical basis for myocardial injury repair via stem cell transplantation. The present study examined whether Nkx2.5 or GATA-4 exogenous gene transfection with myocardial cell extracellular environment co-culture were able to induce the differentiation of BMSCs into cardiac cells. In addition, the effect of these transfected BMSCs on the repair of the myocardium following myocardial infarction was determined using New Zealand rabbit models. The results demonstrated that myocardial cell differentiation was significantly less effective following exogenous gene transfection of Nkx2.5 or GATA-4 alone compared with that of transfection in combination with extracellular environment co-culture. In addition, the results of the present study showed that exogenous gene transfection of Nkx2.5 or GATA-4 into myocardial cell extracellular environment co-cultured BMSCs was able to significantly enhance the ability to repair, mitigating the death of myocardial cells and activation of the myocardium in rabbits with myocardial infarction compared with those of the rabbits transplanted with untreated BMSCs. In conclusion, the exogenous Nkx2.5 and GATA-4 gene transfection into myocardial extracellular environment co-cultured BMSCs induced increased differentiation into myocardial

  18. Universal Cosmic Absolute and Modern Science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kostro, Ludwik

    The official Sciences, especially all natural sciences, respect in their researches the principle of methodic naturalism i.e. they consider all phenomena as entirely natural and therefore in their scientific explanations they do never adduce or cite supernatural entities and forces. The purpose of this paper is to show that Modern Science has its own self-existent, self-acting, and self-sufficient Natural All-in Being or Omni-Being i.e. the entire Nature as a Whole that justifies the scientific methodic naturalism. Since this Natural All-in Being is one and only It should be considered as the own scientifically justified Natural Absolute of Science and should be called, in my opinion, the Universal Cosmic Absolute of Modern Science. It will be also shown that the Universal Cosmic Absolute is ontologically enormously stratified and is in its ultimate i.e. in its most fundamental stratum trans-reistic and trans-personal. It means that in its basic stratum. It is neither a Thing or a Person although It contains in Itself all things and persons with all other sentient and conscious individuals as well, On the turn of the 20th century the Science has begun to look for a theory of everything, for a final theory, for a master theory. In my opinion the natural Universal Cosmic Absolute will constitute in such a theory the radical all penetrating Ultimate Basic Reality and will substitute step by step the traditional supernatural personal Absolute.

  19. Erythropoietin alleviates post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction in rats potentially through increasing the expression of angiotensin II receptor type 2 in myocardial tissues

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Hourong; Huang, Jia; Zhu, Li; Cao, Yu

    2018-01-01

    Activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is one of the pathological mechanisms associated with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury following resuscitation. The present study aimed to determine whether erythropoietin (EPO) improves post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction and how it affects the renin-angiotensin system. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, vehicle, epinephrine (EP), EPO and EP + EPO groups. Excluding the sham group, all groups underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 4 min after asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest (CA). EP and/or EPO was administrated by intravenous injection when CPR began. The results demonstrated that the vehicle group exhibited lower mean arterial pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, maximal ascending rate of left ventricular pressure during left ventricular isovolumic contraction and maximal descending rate of left ventricular pressure during left ventricular isovolumic relaxation (+LVdP/dt max and -LVdP/dt max, respectively), and higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, compared with the sham group following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Few significant differences were observed concerning the myocardial function between the vehicle and EP groups; however, compared with the vehicle group, EPO reversed myocardial function indices following ROSC, excluding-LVdP/dt max. Serum renin and angiotensin (Ang) II levels were measured by ELISA. The serum levels of renin and Ang II were significantly increased in the vehicle group compared with the sham group, which was also observed for the myocardial expression of renin and Ang II receptor type 1 (AT1R), as determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. EPO alone did not significantly reduce the high serum levels of renin and Ang II post-resuscitation, but changed the protein levels of renin and AT1R expression in myocardial tissues. However, EPO enhanced the myocardial expression of

  20. Effects of hypoxia on cochlear blood flow in mice evaluated using Doppler optical microangiography.

    PubMed

    Dziennis, Suzan; Reif, Roberto; Zhi, Zhongwei; Nuttall, Alfred L; Wang, Ruikang K

    2012-10-01

    Reduced cochlear blood flow (CoBF) is a main contributor to hearing loss. Studying CoBF has remained a challenge due to the lack of available tools. Doppler optical microangiography (DOMAG), a method to quantify single-vessel absolute blood flow, and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a method for measuring the relative blood flow within a large volume of tissue, were used for determining the changes in CoBF due to systemic hypoxia in mice. DOMAG determined the change in blood flow in the apical turn (AT) with single-vessel resolution, while LDF averaged the change in the blood flow within a large volume of the cochlea (hemisphere with ∼1 to 1.5 mm radius). Hypoxia was induced by decreasing the concentration of oxygen-inspired gas, so that the oxygen saturation was reduced from >95% to ∼80%. DOMAG determined that during hypoxia the blood flow in two areas of the AT near and far from the helicotrema were increased and decreased, respectively. The LDF detected a decrease in blood flow within a larger volume of the cochlea (several turns averaged together). Therefore, the use of DOMAG as a tool for studying cochlear blood flow due to its ability to determine absolute flow values with single-vessel resolution was proposed.