Partial support with a centrifugal left ventricular assist device reduces myocardial oxygen consumption in chronic, ischemic heart failure.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly used for heart failure (CHF); however, the level of optimal support has not been elucidated. We hypothesize that partial LVAD support in an ovine model of microinfarction-induced CHF significantly reduces left ventricular myocardial oxygen consumption (LVVO2).

Methods And Results: Microembolization of the circumflex coronary artery was used to induce CHF in 5 sheep (ejection fraction 28 +/- 2%).

Selective microembolization of the circumflex coronary artery in an ovine model: Dilated, ischemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Ventricular remodeling often occurs after myocardial infarction, yet the natural history remains unpredictable because of the chronicity of the process and therapeutic interventions involved. We induced cardiac dysfunction in an ovine model via selective microembolization of the circumflex coronary artery (LCx) to test the hypothesis that ventricular remodeling progresses following coronary microembolization for up to 24 months. Methods and results Sheep underwent weekly selective microembolization of the LCx until left ventricular ejection fraction stabilized <35% for 2 consecutive weeks.

Short- and long-term results of open heart surgery in patients with abdominal solid organ transplant.

Objectives: Cardiac disease is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with abdominal solid organ transplant. Improvement of the results of abdominal organ transplantation has contributed to an increasing pool of patients who require open heart surgery. We investigated short- and long-term results of open heart surgery in patients with functioning abdominal solid organ transplants.

Aortic arch replacement for recurrent cerebral embolization.

Replacement of the aortic arch for atheroma with cerebral embolization is in its infancy. The appropriateness of such intervention is controversial. Over a 10-month period, a 58-year-old woman suffered multiple debilitating cerebral vascular accidents manifested by motor, sensory, and memory deficits and documented by computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging.