To try to unravel the complexity and heterogeneity of the "no-reflow" phenomenon and its underlying mechanisms, we studied tissue perfusion in reperfused heart muscle by using tracer microspheres in an anesthetized dog model of 90-minute coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion for 2 1/2 hours, 24 hours, or 1 week. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined both in basal flow conditions an...

We investigated heredity-independent effects of increased physical activity and aerobic fitness on skeletal muscle free fatty acid (FFA) uptake, perfusion, and their heterogeneity at rest and during exercise. Also, the relationship between local skeletal muscle FFA uptake and perfusion was studied. Nine young adult male monozygotic twin pairs with significant difference in physical activity [22...

We tested the hypothesis that impaired coronary autoregulation, decreased flow reserve, and diminished reactive hyperemic response in hypertrophied hearts with coronary arterial hypertension may be reversible after relief of pressure overload. In 4-week ascending aortic banded rats, in vivo peak systolic left ventricular pressure increased to 178 +/- 8 mm Hg (103 +/- 6 mm Hg in sham-operated co...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether scintigraphic myocardial perfusion defects in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and normal coronary arteries are related to abnormalities in coronary flow velocity pattern and/or coronary flow reserve. BACKGROUND Septal or anteroseptal defects on exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy are common in patients with LBB...

After the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) the life expectancy of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is now approaching that of the general population and the importance of non-AIDS co-morbidities is increasing. Specifically, the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) seems to be higher in HIV-infected patients and an accurate risk prediction of CAD is of high ...

Background Kawasaki Disease is a generalised systemic vasculitis involving blood vessels throughout the body, although the coronary arteries virtually always are involved. Previous evidence from echocardiographic, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies of myocardial blood flow and flow reserve in KD patients revealed reduced hyperemic f...

Background Experimental studies have shown that fractional flow reserve (defined as the ratio of maximal achievable flow in a stenotic area to normal maximal achievable flow) can be calculated from coronary pressure measurements only. The objectives of this study were to validate fractional flow reserve calculation in humans and to compare this information with that derived from quantitative co...

UNLABELLED Although carotid shunting is occasionally necessary to prevent cerebral ischemia during carotid endarterectomy, there is no reliable indication for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether acetazolamide stress brain-perfusion SPECT can predict the need for carotid shunting during carotid endarterectomy. METHODS Basal and acetazolamide stress brain-perfusion...

BACKGROUND In Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (IDC) an imbalance between myocardial oxygen consumption and supply has been postulated. The ensuing subclinical myocardial ischemia may contribute to progressive deterioration of LV function. beta-blocker is the therapy of choice in these patients. However, not all patients respond to the same extent. The aim of this study was to elucidate whethe...