OBJECTIVES This study investigated the changes in myocyte size and number in the left and right ventricles that occur with aging in the female and male heart. BACKGROUND Differences in life span between women and men may be related to a better preservation of myocardial structure in the female heart with aging. On this basis, the hypothesis was advanced that the aging process has a different ...

Due to its technically simple and easily reproducible nature cold static preservation is still the current gold standard for myocardial protection in between donor explantation and recipient implantation. It allows “safe” overall ischemic periods of up to 4 hours with a primary graft failure rate less than 2%. Additional measures such as second rinsing or leucocyte depleted in-situ reperfusion ...

Temperature modulates both myocardial energy requirements and production. We have previously demonstrated that myocardial protection induced by hypothermic adaptation preserves expression of genes regulating heat shock protein and the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, the adenine nucleotide translocator isoform 1 (ANT1), and the beta subunit of F1-ATPase (beta F1-ATPase). This preservatio...

Total mechanical unloading of the heart in classical models of heterotopic heart transplantation leads to cardiac atrophy and functional deterioration. In contrast, partial unloading of failing human hearts with left ventricular (LV) assist devices (LVADs) can in some patients ameliorate heart failure symptoms. Here we tested in heterotopic rat heart transplant models whether partial volume-loa...

Both histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and Braile miniplegia are commercially available and used with high success. The objective of this work was to compare the effects of both strategies in an animal model. Twelve pigs were divided into control, HTK, or Braile groups using a model of controlled global cardiac ischemia/reperfusion under cardiopulmonary bypass with 1 hour heart ...

RATIONALE M yocardial injury produced by complete coronary occlusion is acutely interrupted only by restoration of coronary flow. Other techniques designed to reduce injury, namely: reduction in myocardial oxygen demand, attenuation of inflammation, increased substrate transport or increased peak diastolic coronary perfusion pressure have been unimpressive, particularly when the occlusion is co...

Modulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain, dehydrogenase, and nucleotide-metabolizing enzyme activities is fundamental to cellular protection. Here, we demonstrate that the potassium channel opener diazoxide, within its cardioprotective concentration range, modulated the activity of flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent succinate dehydrogenase with an IC50 of 32 microM and reduced the rate ...

Minimally invasive surgery has been used in the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases. Port-Access surgery is a new minimally invasive technique that utilizes cardiopulmonary by-pass and a specialized catheter system that provides cardiopulmonary support and myocardial preservation. Extrathoracic cardiopulmonary support is established with femero-femoral bypass with kinetic assisted venous ...

BACKGROUND Cold static storage (CS) is a proven preservation method for heart transplantion, yet early postoperative graft dysfunction remains prevalent, so continuous perfusion (CP) during ex vivo transport may improve viability and function of heart grafts. METHODS AND RESULTS Canine hearts underwent CP (n=9) or CS (n=9) for 6 h while intramyocardial pH was continuously monitored. Biopsies ...