Ascending versus descending aortic balloon pumping: organ and myocardial perfusion during ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The ICS-Supracor (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) is a preshaped ascending aorta balloon pump. We compared the effects of this catheter with the classical descending intraaortic balloon pump (IABP). The study focused on hemodynamic effects, myocardial blood flow in normal and ischemic regions, cerebral perfusion, and peripheral organ perfusion. METHODS: We placed a stenosis on the lateral branch of the coronary artery to reduce flow 50% (sheep). Measurements included hemodynamic changes, myocardial blood flow, and organ flow (colored microspheres) at baseline, after stenosis, during IABP support, and during ICS support. RESULTS: Counterpulsation with the ICS led to a significantly higher peak diastolic aortic augmentation than with the IABP (IABP, 99 +/- 14 mm Hg; ICS, 140 +/- 29 mm Hg; p = 0.003). There was no significant change in cerebral perfusion or peripheral organ perfusion. Myocardial blood perfusion was significantly increased by the IABP as well as the ICS. This effect was seen in ischemic and nonischemic regions (subendocardial and subepicardial). The ICS improved myocardial blood flow significantly more than the IABP (IABP, 0.65 +/- 0.1 mL/min/g; ICS, 0.94 +/- 0.06 mL/min/g; p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The ICS increases myocardial blood flow in ischemic regions significantly more than the IABP, without impairment of cerebral flow. Assessment of vascular complications, peripherally and in the ascending aorta, has to await results of clinical trials.

Effect of transmyocardial laser revascularization on chronic ischemic hearts in sheep.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) on myocardial function and regional blood flow in an animal model of ischemic heart disease. METHODS: Chronic ischemia was induced in 11 sheep by the application of coronary stenosis on the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex coronary artery (LCX). Ten weeks later, in six of them, transmyocardial channels were created in the anterior free wall and in the posterior wall of the left ventricle. Five animals served as controls. The myocardial function was assessed by echocardiography taken at baseline and every 2 weeks after coronary stenosis and after TMR. Myocardial perfusion was measured by colored microspheres, injected at baseline, immediately after coronary stenosis, before and after TMR, and at 20 weeks after coronary stenosis. The hearts were retrieved at 20 weeks for light microscopic examination. RESULTS: The left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic cavity area was elevated 20 weeks after coronary stenosis in the control and TMR groups. There was no difference between groups (analysis of variance; ANOVA, non-significant). The wall thickening fraction (WTF) decreased progressively and significantly after coronary stenosis in both groups. The WTF was further acutely reduced by TMR, and recovered gradually to the pre-TMR level. No significant difference in WTF was observed between the TMR and control groups. The resting myocardial blood flow was significantly increased by TMR at 20 weeks (P=0.03). Light microscopic examination revealed channel patency in 49% of the laser scars at 10 weeks post-TMR. A dense capillary network was observed at the edges of the surrounding scar. CONCLUSIONS: In an experimental model of ischemic heart disease, TMR developed angiogenesis in the lased channels, but, however, failed to improve myocardial function.

The influence of stenting on the behavior of amino-oleic acid-treated, glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine aortic valves in a sheep model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The durability of freehand-sewn aortic valve homografts used for valve replacement in humans is greater than for stented aortic homografts. In analogy with this, it is expected that the durability of a stentless heterograft will be superior to that of its stented counterpart. Our objective was to investigate the influence of stenting on amino-oleic acid (AOA)-treated, glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine aortic valve bioprostheses. METHODS: Twelve young sheep underwent implantation of porcine aortic valves in the pulmonary artery: six porcine aortic stentless valves (Freestyle) and six porcine aortic stented valves (Mosaic). In each series, three valves were explanted after three months, and three after six months. Valves were analyzed by gross inspection, radiography, histology, and transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative determination of calcium content was made with atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The porcine aortic stentless valve showed extensive calcification of its aortic wall portion, but had perfectly functioning, pliable cusps without calcification up to six months. The cusps of porcine aortic stented valves were also pliable and functioning without calcification up to six months. Only minimal calcification was seen in the aortic wall of the stented valves. At six months after implantation the cusps of stentless valves contained significantly less calcium than those of stented valves (2.7+/-1.2 microg/mg and 7.9+/-2.3 microg/mg, respectively; p = 0.011). However, the aortic wall from stentless valves contained significantly more calcium than that of stented valves (three-month explants: 39.2+/-14.4 versus 7.2+/-2.8 microg/mg; p <0.05; six-month explants: 49.3+/-14.0 versus 14.1+/-5.9 microg/mg; p <0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that stenting does influence cuspal calcification of AOA-treated, glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine aortic valves.

The No-React anticalcification treatment: a comparison of Biocor No-React II and Toronto SPV stentless bioprostheses implanted in sheep.

Calcification of stentless aortic heterografts still limits the use of these bioprostheses in young patients despite their superior hemodynamic profile. The No-React treatment is described as an anticalcification treatment for biomaterials. We compared the Biocor No-React treated stentless bioprosthesis with the routine glutaraldehyde-fixed Toronto SPV bioprosthesis in a juvenile sheep model. Toronto SPV or Biocor No-React valves were implanted in pulmonary position in juvenile sheep (n = 6). The valves were explanted after 3 months and analyzed by gross inspection, x-ray studies, histological examination, and transmission electron microscopy. The Toronto SPV valve showed calcification of the aortic wall portion at both the inflow and outflow sides of the valve. No significant calcification of the cusps was found by gross inspection or by radiographic or histological examinations. Calcification was visible with electron microscopy in cell remnants and between collagen fibers in the cusps. The Biocor No-React valve showed extensive calcification of the residual aortic wall portion that is contained in the valve. With x-ray and histological examinations, clear calcification of the pericardial wrap, largely replacing the aortic wall tissue, was seen. Calcification scattered throughout the cusp was seen by electron microscopy. We conclude that the Biocor No-React process did not prevent calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed stentless bioprostheses in a juvenile sheep experimental model. Furthermore, replacement of a large part of the aortic wall by a pericardial wrap did not prevent calcification of the stentless valve "wall."

Miniaturized implantable rotary blood pump in atrial-aortic position supports and unloads the failing heart.

The purpose of this study was to test the pump performance of a miniaturized, newly developed, implantable rotary blood pump (the diagonal pump). In a series of six sheep, the pump was interposed in an atrial-aortic connection. Heart failure was induced by serial injection of glass beads into the left coronary artery. The assistance of the non-failing heart (with pump output up to 4.5 liter/min) did not change the total cardiac output or the blood pressure of the animal. The heart was significantly unloaded as demonstrated by a drop in first derivative of the left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) max (from 1645 to 1113 mmHg/s; P = 0.0003). Because of the specific interaction between heart function and rotary blood pump performance, the pump provided considerably more flow in the failing than in the non-failing heart. Cardiac output and perfusion pressures were restored to pre-assist values in the failing heart model. The heart-rotary blood pump interaction is an ideal substrate for long-term assistance. With this miniaturized rotary blood pump, hemodynamics in a severely failing heart can be restored. Atrial cannulation, which leaves the left ventricle untouched, provides similar results as apical cannulation in the failing heart.

Calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, high energy content and histological changes in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake, myocardial high energy content and histology were examined in different zones of hearts from patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Unfractionated homogenates were prepared from left ventricular samples obtained in three zones of each heart: an infarct-remote zone, an outer peri-infarct zone, and an inner peri-infarct zone. Oxalate-supported 45Ca2+ uptake was measured at 37 degrees C using a filtration method. Maximum rate (Vmax) of uptake in absence or in presence of ryanodine was lower in inner peri-infarct (7.4 +/- 0.7 and 9.5 +/- 0.8 nmol min-1 mg-1 of protein, respectively; mean +/- SEM) and outer peri-infarct tissues (8.8 +/- 0.8 and 12.0 +/- 0.8 nmol min-1 mg-1) than in infarct-remote myocardium (12.7 +/- 2.1 and 15.8 +/- 2.2 nmol min-1 mg-1). The apparent affinity constants for Ca2+ (KCa) as well as the Hill coefficients were not different. Homogenate DNA (1.6 +/- 0.1, 1.6 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.1 mg/g of remote, inner peri-infarct and outer peri-infarct myocardium, respectively) and adenine nucleotides contents (ATP: 15 +/- 1.3, 14 +/- 0.8 and 15 +/- 1.0 mumol/g dry weight, respectively) were similar in all tissues. Fibrosis was increased in inner peri-infarct tissue (37 +/- 6%; vs. 13 +/- 2% and 12 +/- 2% in both remote and outer peri-infarct tissues, respectively), but the number of abnormal cells was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The decrease of Ca2+ uptake in ischemic cardiomyopathy is not homogeneous in the ventricular wall, and reflects a decreased number/activity of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, without altered Ca(2+)-affinity or increased Ca2+ leakage through ryanodine receptors.

The use of a heparin removal device: a valid alternative to protamine.

PURPOSE: Experiments were carried out to test the efficacy and safety of the heparin removal device, a plasmapheresis filter that binds and eliminates heparin, in the context of extracorporeal circulation. PROCEDURES AND FINDINGS: Six dogs were put on cardiopulmonary bypass after heparinization. Upon weaning, additional heparin was administered to obtain an activated clotting time above 900s. The animals were connected to the heparin removal device and with flows of 500 ml/min, activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time and plasma heparin concentrations were normalised to baseline after 30 min. Hemodynamic parameters remained unaffected. A slight decrease in red and white blood cell count and in platelets was observed which however recovered spontaneously two hours after the filter procedure. No damage to blood components could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a heparin removal device is as efficient as systemic administration of protamine to reverse the effects of heparinization. It may prevent the adverse reactions linked to protamine administration and therefore be indicated in certain subgroups of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Changes in organ perfusion after brain death in the rat and its relation to circulating catecholamines.

Brain death can have an impact on donor organ function. This is often attributed to an altered hormonal, mainly thyroidal, status after brain death. A second possible explanation is that during the brain death process, blood flow is redistributed, causing ischemic damage in underperfused organs or regions. We investigated blood flow redistribution with colored microspheres in the rat early and late after brain death, induced by inflation of an intracranial balloon, and correlated this with the global hemodynamic situation and plasma catecholamine concentrations. Brain death was proven by the demonstration of lasting absence of brain perfusion in all animals. Myocardial blood flow closely followed the myocardial oxygen need as estimated by the rate-pressure product. The abdominal organs showed intense vasoconstriction early after brain death, which led to significantly decreased perfusion of these organs despite the highly increased perfusion pressure, followed by significant vasodilation. Total plasma catecholamine concentration was 57 times higher at 30 sec after brain death as compared with basal levels. Plasma noradrenaline concentration fell significantly below basal levels late after brain death. We conclude that brain death importantly alters regional perfusion, with possible implications for donor organ function. These changes are probably due to the tremendous alterations in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.