____________ _ Myocardial failure is the primary cause of death following operation using hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean mortality rate for coronary bypass in Medicare patients in the United States for 1984 was 5.5%.1njury to the heart is caused by aortic cross-clamping or total circulatory arrest. The lesion of hypoxia is characterized by progressive acidosis. The severity of aci...

During 24 h in vitro heart preservation and reperfusion, tissue damage occurs that seriously reduces cardiac function. Prevention of free radical production during preservation and reperfusion of ischemic tissue using free radical scavengers is of primary importance in maintaining optimal heart function in long-term preservation protocols. We examined whether mannitol (68 mM) and albumin (1.4 μ...

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 we...

BACKGROUND Cardiac dysfunction after brain death has been documented, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Myocardial ischemia has been suggested as a possible cause. The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of an imbalance between myocardial oxygen delivery and demand as a possible cause of myocardial dysfunction in brain-dead pigs. METHODS AND RESULTS Interstitial myocard...

When the heart fails, there is often a constellation of biochemical alterations of the beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) signaling system, leading to the loss of cardiac inotropic reserve. betaAR down-regulation and functional uncoupling are mediated through enhanced activity of the betaAR kinase (betaARK1), the expression of which is increased in ischemic and failing myocardium. These changes ...

Fifty two patients were examined 4-6 weeks after myocardial infarction to assess whether factors other than coronary artery narrowing affect the maximal ST/HR slope which is used as an index of myocardial ischaemia. The slope was compared with indices of myocardial scarring or cardiac enlargement derived from x ray and echocardiographic and angio-cardiographic investigations. In 35 (67%) patien...

A major goal of any antithrombotic regimen administered during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preservation of coronary microvascular perfusion, which is critical for myocardial survival. In addition to macrovascular thrombosis, microembolization into the downstream coronary artery bed that occurs during spontaneous plaque rupture and PCI plays a prominent role in the developmen...

Although coronary care units have been successful in reducing the in-hospital mortality after acute myocardial infarction, this is largely a result ofpreventing and treating dysrhythmias. Thefailing myocardium remains a therapeutic challenge and current medical therapy disappointing. Methods ofproviding the heart with mechanical support are described and indications and contraindications to the...