1,721,052 research outputs found
The atherosclerosis of the sinus node artery is associated with an increased history of supra-ventricular arrhythmias: A retrospective study on 541 standard coronary angiograms
No full textView the peer-reviewed version (peerj.com/articles/1156), which is the preferred citable publication unless you specifically need to cite this preprint. Ciulla MM, Astuti M, Carugo S. 2015. The atherosclerosis of the sinus node artery is associated with an increased history of supra-ventricular arrhythmias: a retrospective study on 541 standard coronary angiograms. PeerJ 3:e1156 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1156 The atherosclerosis of the sinus node artery is associated with an increased history of supra-ventricular arrhythmias: A retrospective study on 541 standard coronary angiograms Michele M Ciulla, Matteo Astuti, Stefano Carugo BACKGROUND: The ischemic damage of the sinus node (SN) is a well known cause o
[A multimedia echocardiographic archive]
No full textThe widespread diffusion of echocardiography requires to rationalize clinical examination archives; the recent improvement in computer processing speed and the addition of image processing capabilities on standard personal computer by using multimedia technology provide a low-cost solution to improve video digital acquisition and base management. Furthermore, the diffusion of computer networks supports the possibility of sending images in digital format from a work station to another. In this study we describe the setting-up of a system for echocardiographic image acquisition, storage, base management and analysis based on a standard multimedia Macintosh personal computer using readily available not-dedicated software. We tested the overall efficiency of this system in terms of time required to perform hardware and software procedures, storage capacity of the archive and possibility to exchange information with other wire-linked computer work-stations or via modem. This system has proven to require an acceptable time to perform all the procedures showing a high level of connectivity with other standard personal computer work-stations; however, some limitations with regard to time required in sending via modem long movie files need to be pointed out. In conclusion, in our experience new multimedia personal computer could offer to every physician with a minimum informatic knowledge the well known advantages of digital-video, at a reasonable cost
Prolonged water immersion. Effects on blood pressure maturation in normotensive rats
No full textThe purpose of this experiment was to study the impact of simulated microgravity and of chronic removal of hydrostatic pressure gradients on blood pressure maturation and body growth in rats. A special device was developed in our laboratory to transfer prolonged "dry" water immersion (a technique that has been used for training astronauts under hypogravic conditions) to six Sprague-Dawley test rats (immersion-G group). The time course of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, urinary output, and body weight was monitored from weaning to maturity and then compared with those responses from six sex- and age-matched Sprague-Dawley rats grown in a gravity environment (group G). A downward shift in systolic blood pressure and body weight maturation curves was observed in immersion-G rats from the age of 60 days. Cessation of dry water immersion produced a gradual, significant rise in systolic blood pressure but not in body weight to control values. No marked changes in heart rate and urinary output between G and immersion-G rats were noticed throughout the investigation. Our results provide indirect evidence that an interference in the natural history of blood pressure maturation was introduced by immersion, which dissociated the effects of body weight increase during growth from the effects of ageing per se. It is concluded that the physiological increase in systolic blood pressure during growth is partly gravity-dependent
A percutaneous approach to cardiac haemodynamics in anaesthetised rats
No full textEstablished methods for evaluating cardiac function in small animals involve surgical manoeuvres. We describe a method for evaluating left ventricular volume (LVV) and pressure (LVP) in anaesthetised adult rats. Under fluoroscopic control a 23 G needle was inserted into the left ventricular cavity of anaesthetised normotensive WKY rats. LVV was determined by biplane angiography and LVP was measured directly. Surface electrocardiograms were recorded throughout the procedure. In 8 animals the study was repeated three times, one week apart. Animals were then sacrificed and tissues harvested for histological examination. In 8 rats, the technique was found to be reproducible and there was no evidence of functional (ECG) or pathological myocardial damage following repeated measurements. In conclusion this technique provides a reproducible method of measuring LVV and LVP, allowing longitudinal haemodynamic studies in anaesthetised rats
- …
