Hematologic and biochemical reference values for anesthetized juvenile German crossbred farm pigs.

Juvenile crossbred pigs are widely used for acute and chronic animal testing due to their anatomical and physiological resemblance to humans. They are particularly prevalent in preclinical cardiovascular research, including studies investigating extracorporeal resuscitation and mechanical circulatory support devices. However, the availability of comprehensive laboratory reference values is limited.

In Vivo Testing of a Second-Generation Prototype Accessory for Single Transapical Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

A new accessory was developed to allow implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) without requiring an anastomosis to the ascending aorta. The accessory combines the LVAD inflow and outflow into a dual-lumen device. Initial prototypes encountered reduced pump performance in vitro, but a second-generation prototype successfully addressed this issue.

The Impact of Head Position on Neurological and Histopathological Outcome Following Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the Whole Body (CARL) in a Pig Model.

Based on extracorporeal circulation, targeted reperfusion strategies have been developed to improve survival and neurologic recovery in refractory cardiac arrest: Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the whoLe Body (CARL). Furthermore, animal and human cadaver studies have shown beneficial effects on cerebral pressure due to head elevation during conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of head elevation on survival, neurologic recovery and histopathologic outcome in addition to CARL in an animal model.

Intra-aortic band impairs transapical device implantation in a pig: a case report.

Background: Anatomic anomalies in the ascending aorta may impair the implantation and testing of cardiovascular devices in humans and animal models.

Case Presentation: We present the rare case of an intra-aortic band in a German Landrace pig. During terminal animal testing, the band hindered the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with transventricular outflow graft across the aortic valve.

Characterization of Porcine Ocular Surface Epithelial Microenvironment.

The porcine ocular surface is used as a model of the human ocular surface; however, a detailed characterization of the porcine ocular surface has not been documented. This is due, in part, to the scarcity of antibodies produced specifically against the porcine ocular surface cell types or structures. We performed a histological and immunohistochemical investigation on frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ocular surface tissue from domestic pigs using a panel of 41 different antibodies related to epithelial progenitor/differentiation phenotypes, extracellular matrix and associated molecules, and various niche cell types.

Improved lung recruitment and oxygenation during mandatory ventilation with a new expiratory ventilation assistance device: A controlled interventional trial in healthy pigs.

Background: In contrast to conventional mandatory ventilation, a new ventilation mode, expiratory ventilation assistance (EVA), linearises the expiratory tracheal pressure decline.

Objective: We hypothesised that due to a recruiting effect, linearised expiration oxygenates better than volume controlled ventilation (VCV). We compared the EVA with VCV mode with regard to gas exchange, ventilation volumes and pressures and lung aeration in a model of peri-operative mandatory ventilation in healthy pigs.

Twenty minutes of normothermic cardiac arrest in a pig model: the role of short-term hypothermia for neurological outcome.

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation restores circulation, but with inconsistent blood-flow and pressures. Our recent approach using an extracorporeal life support system, named "controlled integrated resuscitation device" (CIRD), may lead to improved survival and neurological recovery after cardiac arrest (CA). The basic idea is to provide a reperfusion tailored to the individual patient by control of the conditions of reperfusion and the composition of the reperfusate.

Preserved brain morphology after controlled automated reperfusion of the whole body following normothermic circulatory arrest time of up to 20 minutes.

Objectives: Clinical outcomes following cardiac arrest (CA) and resuscitation remain a cause for concern. The use of Controlled Automated Reperfusion of the whoLe body (CARL) confers superior neurological outcome even after extended periods of CA. We aimed at investigating clinical outcome and brain morphology preservation when employing CARL following CA periods of 20 min.

Relevance of muscle weight as a functional parameter for the regeneration of the peroneal nerve in rabbits.

To evaluate the relevance of muscle weight as a functional parameter of motor regeneration, the nerve-dependent muscle weights were measured and compared with the toe-spreading reflex and the muscle action potential in different designs of nerve conditioning of the peroneal nerve in New Zealand White rabbits. From 100 peroneal nerves in 50 rabbits, 60 nerves received a conditioning crush lesion and 4 weeks later a test lesion--a transection with suturing at different sites. An additional 10 peroneal nerves were solely transected and sutured, 10 peroneal nerves were sham-operated, and 20 peroneal nerves remained unoperated for control.