Cerebral protection during controlled hypoperfusion in a piglet model: comparison of moderate (25°C) versus deep (18°C) hypothermia at various flow rates using intraoperative measurements and ex vivo investigation.

Background: During surgical correction of complex cardiac anomalies, some degree of hypoperfusion may be required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of controlled cerebral hypoperfusion at moderate (25°C) versus deep (18°C) hypothermia.

Methods: In this study, 56 female piglets (9.

Selective cerebral perfusion using moderate flow in complex cardiac surgery provides sufficient neuroprotection. Are children young adults?

Objective: Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) is commonly applied during the correction of complex congenital cardiac defects. In this study, we assessed the impact of different flow levels of SCP on potential brain ischaemia.

Methods: Fifteen piglets (7-10 kg, age 3-4 weeks) received SCP via the right common carotid artery during cardiopulmonary bypass at 25°C for 90 min.

Functional, metabolic, and morphological aspects of continuous, normothermic heart preservation: effects of different preparation and perfusion techniques.

Continuous blood perfusion of donor hearts for transplantation has been the focus of an increasing amount of research, but the optimal preparation and perfusion techniques have not been clearly defined. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of different preservation strategies using continuous, normothermic heart perfusion after donor heart harvesting. Hearts of 12 pigs were randomly assigned to two groups receiving a constant pressure perfusion in a modified Langendorff system after different preparation techniques.

Histological findings induced by different energy sources in experimental atrial ablation in sheep.

The aim of this study was a detailed comparative investigation of acute cardiac alterations induced by different energy sources and approaches in a sheep model. Experiments were performed on 39 sheep. Circular lesions were created endo- or epicardially in the left atrium and at the pulmonary veins using different energy sources: cryo, microwave, laser and unipolar or bipolar radiofrequency (RF).

Selective arterialization of a cardiac vein in a model of cardiac microangiopathy and macroangiopathy in sheep.

Objective: Some patients with significant arteriosclerosis of the heart are not amenable to revascularization of a coronary artery because they have a combination of microangiopathy and significant macroangiopathy. We investigated the benefit of arterialization of a cardiac vein under these circumstances in an acute animal model.

Methods: In the hearts of 8 sheep, microspheres were injected into the left coronary artery; 60 minutes later, a stenosis of the left anterior descending artery was performed.

Effects of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation on beta-adrenoceptor density and electrical activation pattern in a rabbit model of non-ischemic heart failure.

Background: Since only little is known on stem cell therapy in non-ischemic heart failure we wanted to know whether a long-term improvement of cardiac function in non-ischemic heart failure can be achieved by stem cell transplantation.

Methods: White male New Zealand rabbits were treated with doxorubicin (3 mg/kg/week; 6 weeks) to induce dilative non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Thereafter, we obtained autologous bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) and injected 1.

Modeling of temperature mapping for quantitative dynamic infrared coronary angiography for intraoperative graft patency control.

Objectives: Intraoperative application of thermal coronary angiography based on dynamic infrared imaging leads to useful qualitative information concerning coronary artery bypass graft flow and anatomy. Additional quantitative flow estimation is desirable to detect graft failures. The aim of this study was to develop a heat-transfer model for quantitative flow estimation in an experimental setup.

Ablation of atrial fibrillation and esophageal injury: effects of energy source and ablation technique.

Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of histologic changes induced on the esophagus by surgical ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Experiments were performed on 39 sheep. Circular lesions were created endocardially or epicardially in the left atrium and at the pulmonary veins by using different energy sources: cryoablation, microwave, laser, and unipolar or bipolar radiofrequency.