To investigate the effects of salt loading on cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptor reflexes, 34 hypertensive patients underwent two 4-day periods with different dietary sodium intakes (70 and 370 meq/day). The patients were classified as salt-sensitive or salt-resistant depending on whether the mean arterial pressure value obtained on day 4 of high salt intake did or did not increase by 8%...

BACKGROUND Hemodynamics assessment is important for detecting and treating post-implant residual heart failure, but its accuracy is unverified in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs). OBJECTIVES We determined whether Doppler and 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography reliably assess hemodynamics in patients supported with CF-LVADs. METHODS Simultane...

The characteristics and gender differences of the pulmonary hemodynamic parameters of 16 Clawn miniature pigs were examined and the data were compared with reports concerning dogs and other pig species. The pulmonary systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures of the mini-pig were slightly higher than those of the dog, respectively, but both the right atrial pressure and pulmonary cap...

BACKGROUND The endothelin (ET-1) system is activated in chronic heart failure (CHF). Whether, what type, and what degree of selective ET blockade is clinically beneficial is unknown. We investigated hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of 3 weeks of treatment with various dosages of the orally available ET(A) antagonist darusentan in addition to modern standard therapy in patients with CHF. M...

Methods Sixteen patients with hypertensive heart disease (LV mass index: 111 ± 18 g/m), absence of valvular regurgitation and with normal systolic function (LV ejection fraction: 67 ± 7 %) referred for cardiac catheterization were studied. Measurement of mitral flow and mitral annulus velocities were performed by Doppler and phase-contrast CMR. CMR derived global longitudinal and global volumet...

We have studied haemodynamic responses to 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 MAC isoflurane administration in 10 patients during a zero-order propofol infusion and normocapnia. Isoflurane reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP), systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular stroke work in a dose-dependent manner (29%, 38% and 33%, respectively, at 1 MAC), while cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV) an...

BACKGROUND Poor oxygenation might occur in transplanted lungs as a result of reperfusion injury and lack of lymphatic drainage. Low central venous and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures are advocated to reduce pulmonary edema and maximize oxygenation but might adversely affect cardiac index, circulation, and renal function. METHODS Histories, intensive care unit charts, and donor data on 118...

M-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; M-ANP) is a novel next generation 40 amino acid peptide based on ANP, which is highly resistant to enzymatic degradation and has greater and more sustained beneficial actions compared with ANP. The current study was designed to advance our understanding of the therapeutic potential of M-ANP in a canine model of acute angiotensin II–induced hypertension with el...

BACKGROUND Diastolic dysfunction is frequently seen after myocardial infarction and is characterized by a disproportionate increase in filling pressure during exercise to maintain stroke volume. We hypothesized that sildenafil would reduce filling pressure during exercise in patients with diastolic dysfunction after myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy patients with diastolic dy...

M-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; M-ANP) is a novel next generation 40 amino acid peptide based on ANP, which is highly resistant to enzymatic degradation and has greater and more sustained beneficial actions compared with ANP. The current study was designed to advance our understanding of the therapeutic potential of M-ANP in a canine model of acute angiotensin II-induced hypertension with el...