Induction of heart failure: haemodynamic comparison of three different canine models.

We compared three methods: arteriovenous anastomosis, doxorubicin administration, and combination of anastomosis and doxorubicin, with the intention of designing a simple, stable model of chronic heart failure. Twelve dogs were divided into three groups of four. One group received carotid-jugular anastomosis (Ana series), another group received anastomosis and doxorubicin injection (A/D series), and the last group received only doxorubicin (Dox series).

Adaptive cardiac binding: a new method for treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adaptive cardiac binding, a new surgical procedure for advanced heart failure, allows a gradual increase in compression on the dilated heart, with separate loads on the left and right ventricles. A canine model of biventricular heart failure (anastomosis between the carotid artery and jugular vein and doxorubicin administration) was created. Twenty-four dogs were divided into 4 groups: control, adynamic cardiomyoplasty, plastic cardiac binding, and adaptive cardiac binding.

Effect of electrical stimulation on arteriogenesis and angiogenesis after bilateral femoral artery excision in the rabbit hind-limb ischemia model.

The effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on arteriogenesis (the opening of preexisting collaterals) and angiogenesis (formation of new capillaries) were studied after acute bilateral hind limb ischemia was induced via bilateral femoral artery excision in a rabbit model. The study evaluated the rabbit hind limbs' normal response to acute ischemia and to application of ES by calculating changes in arterial and capillary densities. Comparisons were made with our prior study, in which the femoral artery was unilaterally excised, as we attempted to expand on the topics of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis.

[The hemodynamic and myostimulation regimens parallels of the extraaortic counterpulsation and skeletal ventricle in the experiment].

Objective: Our investigation was aimed to evaluate the effect of extraaortic counterpulsation to central hemodynamics during the two modes of latissimus dorsi muscle electrostimulation.

Material And Methods: Two groups of experimental dogs were divided into two subgroups and affected with continuous and work-rest regimens of stimulation. In one group latissimus dorsi muscle was mobilized and left in situ.

Deferoxamine-fibrin accelerates angiogenesis in a rabbit model of peripheral ischemia.

The intramuscular (i.m.) injection of a modified fibrin meshwork plus deferoxamine was tested in a rabbit model of acute hind-limb ischemia.

Hemodynamic results of acute thoracic aortomyoplasty in a canine model: comparison of stimulation regimens.

Our previous investigations in a sheep model demonstrated that when electrical stimulation (ES) was applied to a newly mobilized latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) in a work-rest regimen and at a rate of 15 contractions per minute, it did not damage this muscle. This regimen was used twice during a 60 minute period, once a day for 16 days, with no LDM damage. The goal of our current investigation was to apply this regimen in studies of acute thoracic aortomyoplasty.

Influence of Class I interferons on performance of vascular cells on stent material in vitro.

Purpose: Numerous reports suggest that Class 1 interferons (IFNs), particularly IFN-gamma, inhibit migration and proliferation of different types of human cells. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of Class I IFNs on viability and growth characteristics of human aortic endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts (FBs) in vitro.

Methods: Stainless-steel (316-l) disks were coated with fibrin meshwork containing IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha.

Slowed progression or elimination of atherosclerosis by low-frequency electrical impulses.

Background: In our previous investigations we showed that electrical impulses (EI) can prevent the development of atherosclerosis if they began simultaneously with high cholesterol diet (HCD) or in the early stages of atherosclerosis (after three weeks of HCD only). In this investigation we demonstrated the slow progression or elimination of atherosclerosis by low-frequency EI in case of moderate atherosclerosis (after eight weeks of HCD).

Methods: Series I rabbits (control group) were fed HCD for eight weeks.

Transplantation of autologous endothelial cells induces angiogenesis.

This study examined the feasibility and efficacy of autologous endothelial cell (EC) transplantation using a fibrin matrix in the ischemic myocardium of sheep. Four weeks after placing an ameroid constrictor in the circumflex artery of 12 adult sheep, four animals (EC group) were subjected to EC transplantation. In four others (saline [SAL] group) saline with added inactivated cells was injected and four animals served as controls.

Direct fibrin injection to promote new collateral growth in hind limb ischemia in a rabbit model.

Unlabelled: Local stimulation of angiogenesis is a new approach for the treatment of critical limb ischemia. Our investigation tested intramuscular (i.m.

[Testing of the latissimus dorsi muscle stimulation regimens in the experimental model of thoracic aortomyoplasty].

Objective: Among several alternative forms of treatment for congestive heart failure patients is the use of autologous muscle-powered cardiac assistance. Our investigation was aimed to study two different regimens of latissimus dorsi muscle electrostimulation in acute thoracic aortomyoplasty.

Material And Methods: Experiments were made in Kaunas University of Medicine and Wisconsin University, Milwaukee Heart institute.

Deferoxamine enhances neovascularization and recovery of ischemic skeletal muscle in an experimental sheep model.

Background: Iron chelators have been reported to interfere with inflammatory cells and possibly enhance vascular growth factor expression. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate in preventing skeletal muscle ischemia.

Methods: The latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) was mobilized in 20 adult sheep.

Electrical stimulation promotes angiogenesis in a rabbit hind-limb ischemia model.

In previous investigations, it was shown that applying a modest regimen of electrical stimulation (ES), even in severely ischemic tissue, improves the healing process, accelerates neovascularization, and enhances angiogenesis in muscle tissue. Our objective in this current report was to further understand ES as a potential alternative treatment for severe muscle ischemia. Immediately after the left distal external iliac artery and the femoral artery were excised, ES (30 contractions per minute [cpm], 2 V, single impulses per burst) was applied to rabbit adductor muscle near the site of the excised femoralis artery for 24 hours daily over 1 month.

Cardiomyoplasty: first clinical case with new cardiomyostimulator.

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty was performed in a patient using a new cardio-myostimulator (LD-PACE II) designed to enable a novel stimulation regimen that utilizes a new range of stimulation options, including cessation during sleep. After treatment, left ventricular ejection fraction improved in 24 months from 15% to 25% and New York Heart Association classification improved from class IV to II.

Validation of a left atrial lesion pattern for intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Evidence that atrial fibrillation may begin in early stages from triggers or reentry circuits primarily in the left atrium suggests that the entire Maze 3 lesion pattern may be unnecessary. In the present study we describe a new left atrial lesion pattern for intraoperative linear ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Endocardial radiofrequency ablation was performed on 12 dogs with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Pathologic and histologic results of electrical impulses in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis: 24-hour versus 8-hour regimen.

Objective: Low frequency electrical impulses (EIs) reduce new atherosclerotic plaque formation in previously diseased arteries and may reverse the extent of previous pathologic damage in these structures.

Methods: A pacemaker was implanted on the left side of rabbit abdominal aortas, and an electrode was placed close to the other side of the aorta in the psoas major muscle. For the induction of atherosclerosis, the rabbits were placed on a high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 11 weeks.