Transfer of Direct and Moiré Patterns by Reactive Ion Etching Through Ex Situ Fabricated Nanoporous Polymer Masks.

We present a conceptually simple approach to nanolithographic patterning utilizing ex situ fabricated nanoporous masks from block copolymers. The fabricated block copolymer (BC) masks show predictable morphology based on the correlation between BC composition and bulk properties, independent of substrates' surface properties. The masks are prepared by microtoming of prealigned nanoporous polymer monoliths of hexagonal morphology at controlled angles; they appear as 30-60 nm thick films of typical dimensions 100 μm × 200 μm.

Inhaled nitric oxide versus aerosolized iloprost for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension with left heart disease.

Objective: To determine the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) and aerosolized iloprost on pulmonary hemodynamics and lung edema formation in a rat model of pulmonary hypertension due to congestive heart failure (CHF).

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Inhalation of the phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor milrinone attenuates pulmonary hypertension in a rat model of congestive heart failure.

Background: Most patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) develop pulmonary venous hypertension, but right ventricular afterload is frequently further elevated by increased pulmonary vascular resistance. To investigate whether inhalation of a vasodilatory phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor may reverse this potentially detrimental process, the authors studied the effects of inhaled or intravenous milrinone on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in a rat model of CHF.

Methods: In male Sprague-Dawley rats, CHF was induced by supracoronary aortic banding, whereas sham-operated rats served as controls.

Inhaled aerosolized iloprost in the evaluation of heart transplant candidates--experiences with 45 cases.

Purpose: Pulmonary hypertension represents a significant predictor of postoperative right heart insufficiency and increased mortality in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation. As the use of intravenous vasodilators is limited by their systemic effects, we evaluated the pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of inhaled aerosolized iloprost in heart transplant candidates with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.

Methods: Forty-five male heart transplant candidates with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy were included in the study.

Heparin-level-based anticoagulation management during cardiopulmonary bypass: a pilot investigation on the effects of a half-dose aprotinin protocol on postoperative blood loss and hemostatic activation and inflammatory response.

Unlabelled: Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to activation of the hemostatic/inflammatory system. We compared the influence of a half-dose aprotinin regimen on postoperative blood loss and the activation of the hemostatic/inflammatory system during CPB, when used during a heparin-level-based heparin management for cardiac surgery. Two-hundred patients (n = 100 in each group) were enrolled in this randomized prospective study.

Iloprost improves hemodynamics in patients with severe chronic cardiac failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Purpose: Significant pulmonary hypertension is a predictor of postoperative right heart insufficiency and increased mortality in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation. Since the use of iv vasodilators is limited by their systemic effects, we evaluated the pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of inhaled aerosolized iloprost (IP) in heart transplant candidates with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).

Methods: Twenty-nine male heart transplant candidates because of dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy with elevated PVR were included in the study.

Hemodynamic effects of inhaled aerosolized iloprost and inhaled nitric oxide in heart transplant candidates with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.

Objective: An elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is described as a predictor of postoperative right heart failure and increased mortality in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation. The use of intravenous vasodilators is limited by their systemic effects. We evaluated the pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) and inhaled aerosolized iloprost (IP) in heart transplant candidates with elevated PVR.