Hypothermic Reperfusion after Ischemia Improves Ventricular Myocyte Contractility and Intracellular Ca2+ Dynamics
An energy-sparing effect of hypothermia has been described, such that lowering the temperature may lead to increases in cardiac work without increases in energy cost. We have recently reported improved myocardial function with hypothermia following resuscitation from cardiac arrest. In the present investigation, we hypothesized that reductions in reperfusion temperature from 37°C to 30°C after 10 minutes of ischemia would minimize the decreases in myocyte contractility and intracellular Ca2+ transients. Results: Hypothermic reperfusion following ischemia improvedmyocyte contractility. Increased myocyte intracellular Ca2+ dynamics during hypothermia accounted for the greater cell contractility.
Hypothermia Improves Ventricular Myocyte Sensitivity to Extracellular Ca2+
We have previously reported that hypothermia minimizes the impairment of myocyte contractility following ischemia. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms accounting for these reduced impairments in contractility. We hypothesized that hypothermia would increase myocyte sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+ under conditions of normal perfusion and following reperfusion after ischemia. Resukts: Hypothermia increased myocyte sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+ content, and this accounted for greater contractility. Hypothermic reperfusion after ischemia maintained greater responsiveness of myocyte contractility to extracellular Ca2+ content, in comparison to normothermic reperfusion.
Nasopharyngeal Cooling Improves Coronary Perfusion Pressure andAmplitude Spectrum Area during CPR in Comparison to Systemic Cold Saline Infusion in a Porcine Model of Prolonged Cardiac Arrest
We have previously demonstrated that nasopharyngeal cooling (NPC) initiated during CPR improves the success of resuscitation. In the present study, we compared the effects of NPC with cold saline infusion (CSI) on hemodynamics, amplitude spectrum area (AMSA) during CPR and ultimate resuscitation outcome in a porcine model of prolonged cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that NPC would yield better resuscitation outcome when compared to CSI when both were initiated during CPR. Results: In this model, NPC improved hemodynamics and AMSA during CPR and this was associated with increases in the success of resuscitation.
Resuscitation Blanket during CPR for “Hands-on” Defibrillation
Uninterrupted chest compression has been recognized as a important factor for improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) outcomes. We therefore introduced a resuscitation blanket made from insulating material which allows for uninterrupted chest compressions during shock delivery. We hypothesized that the resuscitation blanket used during CPR is safe, feasible and efficient to protect the rescuer from the risk of receiving current during defibrillation and therefore allowing performance of continuous chest compressions during CPR. Results: The resuscitation blanket allows for continuous precordial compression without interruption for delivering a defibrillation shock. It therefore minimizes the hands-off interruptions of chest compression and improves hemodynamics prior to delivering of an electrical shock and ultimately increases the defibrillation success.
Table. Measurements from 15 Hand-on Shocks During External Defibrillation
| Shock energy(J)(n=5) | Voltage delivered(V) (n=5) | Currentdelivered (A) (n=5) | Voltage above the blanket(V)(n=5) | Mean leakage current(μA) (n=5) |
| 150 | 1610 | 32.2 | 42.0 ± 5.4† | 1.1 ± 0.2‡ |
| 200 | 1835 | 36.7 | 56.6 ± 21.8† | 1.4 ± 0.5‡ |
| 360 | 1995 | 39.9 | 105.0 ± 35.1† | 3.3 ± 0.6‡ |
Values expressed as mean ± SD. †P<0.01 compared to “voltage delivered”;‡ P<0.01 compared to “current delivered”;
Comparison between Invasive and Noninvasive Assessment of Myocardial Function in A Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest and CPR
Placement a pressure catheter into the left ventricle for monitoring myocardial function is a standard technique in animal models of cardiac arrest and CPR. However, this technique is invasive and time-limited. We therefore sought to compare this approach with the noninvasive echocardiographic assessment for monitoring myocardial function in rat model of cardiac arrest and CPR. We hypothesized that echocardiographically assessed myocardial function would be correlated to the invasive left ventricular function measurements. Results: All animals were successfully resuscitated. Both dP/dt40 and EF were significantly decreased after resuscitation (P < 0.05). The noninvasive assessed EF was highly correlated to dP/dt40 (R=0.75, P<0.01). The echocardiographically assessed myocardial function is significantly correlated with the standard invasive monitoring measurements in a rat model of cardiac arrest and CPR.
AMSA is decreased during cardiac arrest and CPR, in rats with chronic ischemic heart
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform features are altered in instance of acute myocardial ischemia and chronic coronary heart disease. Amplitude Spectrum Area (AMSA), in particular, have been investigated under conditions of electrical induced cardiac arrest or under condition of acute myocardial ischemia. However, no data on AMSA values during cardiac arrest in heart suffering of chronic ischemia have been previously investigated. In the present study we sought to investigate AMSA during VF induced in rats with chronic myocardial ischemia in comparison to that observed in rats with normal myocardium. Results: AMSA values are significantly decreased in rats with chronic ischemic heart in comparison to those assessed in rat with not ischemic heart.
