Priming protects the spinal cord in an experimental aortic occlusion model.

Objectives: Paraplegia is a devastating complication in aortic aneurysm surgery. Modifying the spinal cord vasculature is a promising method in spinal cord protection. The aim of this study was to assess whether the spinal cord can be primed by occluding thoracic segmental arteries before simulated aneurysm repair in a porcine model.

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Spinal Cord Protection: A Surviving Porcine Study.

Surgical repair of thoracic aorta can compromise blood flow of the spinal cord. To mitigate spinal cord ischemia (SCI) additional protection methods are needed. In experimental studies remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has proven to be an effective method of protecting organs from ischemia.

Moderate hypothermia with remote ischaemic preconditioning improves cerebral protection compared to deep hypothermia: a study using a surviving porcine model.

Objectives: The optimal temperature management of hypothermic circulatory arrest is still controversial. Moderate hypothermia preserves cerebral autoregulation and shortens cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration. However, moderate hypothermia alone has inferior organ protection to deep hypothermia, so adjuncts that increase the ischaemic tolerance are needed.

Pharmacological Preconditioning with Diazoxide in the Experimental Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest Model.

Hypothermic circulatory arrest includes a remarkable risk for neurological injury. Diazoxide, a mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium ion (K+ATP) channel opener, is known to have cardioprotective effects. We assessed its efficacy in preventing ischemic injury in a clinically relevant animal model.

Exploring effects of remote ischemic preconditioning in a pig model of hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Objectives: During aortic and cardiac surgery, risks for mortality and morbidity are inevitable. Surgical setups involving deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) are effective to achieve organ protection against ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to identify humoural factors mediating additive protective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in a porcine model of DHCA.

Exploring Spinal Cord Protection by Remote Ischemic Preconditioning: An Experimental Study.

Background: Paraplegia is one of the most severe complications occurring after the repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been shown to mitigate neurologic damage, and this study assessed its efficacy in preventing spinal cord ischemia.

Methods: The study randomized 16 female pigs into an RIPC group (n = 8) and a control group (n = 8).

Remote ischemic preconditioning protects the spinal cord against ischemic insult: An experimental study in a porcine model.

Objective: Surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm jeopardizes the vascularization of the spinal cord, and therefore, despite improvement in surgical techniques, still carries the risk of paraplegia. This study aimed to demonstrate the possible protective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on the preservation of spinal cord function after segmental artery (SA) occlusion.

Methods: Twenty piglets were randomized into the RIPC group (n = 10) and the control group (n = 10).

Safety and biodistribution study of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and mononuclear cells and the impact of the administration route in an intact porcine model.

Background Aims: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem stromal cells (BM-MSCs) could have therapeutic potential for numerous conditions, including ischemia-related injury. Cells transplanted intravascularly may become entrapped in the lungs, which potentially decreases their therapeutic effect and increases the risk for embolism.

Methods: Twelve pigs were divided into groups of 3 and received (99m)Tc- hydroxymethyl-propylene-amine-oxime-labeled autologous BM-MNCs or allogeneic BM-MSCs by either intravenous (IV) or intra-arterial (IA) transplantation.

Leg ischaemia before circulatory arrest alters brain leucocyte count and respiratory chain redox state.

Objectives: Remote ischaemic preconditioning and its neuroprotective abilities are currently under investigation and the method has shown significant effects in several small and large animal studies. In our previous studies, leucocyte filtration during cardiopulmonary bypass reduced cerebrocortical adherent leucocyte count and mitigated cerebral damage after hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) in piglets. This study aimed to obtain and assess direct visual data of leucocyte behaviour in cerebral vessels after hypothermic circulatory arrest following remote ischaemic preconditioning.

Intra-arterial bone marrow mononuclear cell distribution in experimental global brain ischaemia.

Objectives: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) can ameliorate focal ischaemic brain injury. A global ischaemic brain injury, which can occur after cardiac or thoracic surgery, could be an essential target for BM-MNCs. No studies using BM-MNCs for this indication have been conducted.

Remote ischemic precondition preserves cerebral oxygen tension during hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Objectives: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a novel and promising method of mitigating neurological injury. In previous animal studies, RIPC has provided substantial neuroprotective effects. We hypothesized that the promising neuroprotective properties were a consequence of a better oxygen consumption profile during hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Minimized and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass damage intestinal mucosal integrity.

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that gastrointestinal integrity is compromised after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We compared the effects of prolonged minimized (MCPB) and conventional CPB (CCPB) on intestinal mucosal integrity by determining mucosal damage, epithelial cell proliferation rate and distribution of tight junction proteins in a porcine model.

Design: Fourteen animals were randomly assigned to undergo 240 minutes of mild hypothermic MCPB or CCPB.

Remote ischemic preconditioning protects the brain against injury after hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Background: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a mechanism protecting tissues from injury during ischemia and reperfusion. Remote IPC (RIPC) can be elicited by applying brief periods of ischemia to tissues with ischemic tolerance, thus protecting vital organs more susceptible to ischemic damage. Using a porcine model, we determined whether RIPC of the limb is protective against brain injury caused by hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Improved cerebral recovery from hypothermic circulatory arrest after remote ischemic preconditioning.

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning is a novel method of reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in which a transient ischemic period of the limb provides systemic protection against a prolonged ischemic insult. This method of preconditioning has shown some potential in ameliorating ischemia-related injury in various organs and experimental settings. We hypothesized that remote ischemic preconditioning might also improve the recovery from hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Acute homing of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in intramyocardial vs. intracoronary transplantation.

Objectives: Cell homing optimisation after transplantation is critical in myocardial infarction (MI) cell therapy.

Design: Eight pigs were randomized to receiving autologous purified (111)indium-labeled bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) (10(8) cells/2 ml) by intramyocardial (IM) (n=4) or by intracoronary (IC) (n=4) transplantation after 90 minutes occlusion of the CX-coronary artery. Dual isotope SPECT imaging was performed 2 and 24 hours postoperatively.

Imagery-induced relaxation in children's postoperative pain relief: a randomized pilot study.

This study aimed to test the efficacy of imagery and relaxation in hospitalized children's postoperative pain relief. Sixty children aged 8-12 years who had undergone appendectomy or upper/lower limb surgery and had been randomly assigned to the experimental group (n(1) = 30) listened to an imagery trip CD, whereas those in the control group (n(2) = 30) received standard care. An investigator-developed questionnaire was used, and the intensity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale: before (Phase 1), immediately after (Phase 2), and 1 hour after (Phase 3) intervention or standard care.

Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplantation improves myocardial recovery by enhancing cellular recruitment and differentiation at the infarction site.

Objective: Stem cell therapy in myocardial infarction is under intensive investigation; however, the mechanisms of recovery and the optimal transplantation technique remain controversial. The goal of this controlled and randomized study was to test the hypothesis that locally injected bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells can focus in on the damaged myocardium and improve cardiac function by means of active participation in remodeling.

Methods: Myocardial infarction was introduced through occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery for 90 minutes in 14 piglets (24.

Effects of pH management during selective antegrade cerebral perfusion on cerebral microcirculation and metabolism: alpha-stat versus pH-stat.

Background: Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) is used for extending the period during which surgical procedures can be safely performed. We sought to determine the direct effects of pH management on cerebral microcirculation and metabolism during SCP.

Methods: An experimental SCP porcine model was created by selectively allowing cold perfusate only into the bicarotid brachiocephalic trunk during the SCP period.

Leukocyte filtration to decrease the number of adherent leukocytes in the cerebral microcirculation after a period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Objective: Cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest induce a systemic inflammatory response, including a cascade of leukocyte and endothelial cell activity, during the postischemic reperfusion phase. Accumulation of leukocytes in the brain can lead to neurologic problems after cardiac surgery. The beneficial effects of a leukocyte-depleting filter have been documented, but because of contradictory results the underlying function of the filter remains unclear.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate supports cerebral energy metabolism in pigs after ischemic brain injury caused by experimental particle embolization.

Background: Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FDP) is a high-energy intermediate that enhances glycolysis, preserves cellular adenosine triphosphate stores, and prevents the increase of intracellular calcium in ischemic tissue. Since it has been shown to provide metabolic support to the brain during ischemia, we planned this study to evaluate whether FDP is neuroprotective in the setting of combining hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) and irreversible embolic brain ischemic injury.

Methods: Twenty pigs were randomly assigned to receive 2 intravenous infusions of either FDP (500 mg/kg) or saline.

Aprotinin to improve cerebral outcome after hypothermic circulatory arrest: a study in a surviving porcine model.

Background: Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor, which is usually used during cardiac surgery to reduce blood loss. There is evidence that aprotinin has neuroprotective effects during ischemia. We planned this study to evaluate its potential neuroprotective efficacy during hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Propofol is associated with impaired brain metabolism during hypothermic circulatory arrest: an experimental microdialysis study.

Background: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic in cardiac surgery. It has been shown to increase cerebrovascular resistance resulting in decreased cerebral blood flow. Efficient brain perfusion and tissue oxygenation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in surgery requiring hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Hypertonic saline dextran improves outcome after hypothermic circulatory arrest: a study in a surviving porcine model.

Background: Hypertonic saline dextran (HSD) has been shown to have neuroprotective properties. In the present study we have assessed its potential neuroprotective efficacy in the setting of hypothermic circulatory arrest in a surviving porcine model.

Methods: Twenty-four pigs were randomized to receive two 5-minute intravenous infusions (4 mL/kg) of either HSD (7.