Influence of the hypothalamic stimulation of vestibular nuclei units in the rat

Electrical stimulation of rat hypothalamus influenced the activity of the vestibular nuclei units, depending on the stimulus location. Vestibular units were excited predominantly by antero-lateral hypothalamic stimulation, whilst middle-medial hypothalamic stimulation mainly induced a decrease in the firing frequency of vestibular units. The possibility of both types of hypothalamic influence on vestibular excitability is discussed.

Heparinless left heart bypass for resection of thoracic aortic aneurysms

Our clinical experience employing heparinless left heart bypass for the resection of twenty-three thoracic aneurysms is presented. In our current technic of heparinless left heart bypass, plastic tubing coated with nonthrombogenic polyurethane-polyvinyl-graphite material and a conventional roller pump are employed. The reduced size of the aneurysm below the aortic clamp during bypass facilitates careful dissection of the aneurysm and the aorta. Twenty-two of twenty-three patients underwent successful thoracic aneurysmectomy with this technic. None had subsequent paraplegia and the postoperative blood loss was minimal. Heparinless left heart bypass is a simple and safe procedure to facilitate thoracic aneurysm resection.

Oxygen consumption of the normal and failing heart during left heart bypass

In order to determine whether myocardial oxygen consumption (MOC) is decreased during left heart bypass (LHB), two groups of 6 dogs each were subjected to 2 hours of heparinless LHB. Group 2 differed from Group 1 in that cardiogenic shock was induced by temporary coronary artery occlusion prior to LHB. In Group 1 animals (normal dogs), MOC decreased significantly during the surgical preparation but did not change appreciably during subsequent LHB. Upon completion of LHB, MOC increased slightly in all animals. This increase in MOC was insignificant, however, when adjusted to changes in mean aortic blood pressure (MAP). A highly positive linear correlation between MOC and MAP was noted regardless of whether the animals were on or off bypass. In Group 2 animals, MOC was markedly decreased after the iduction of cardiogenic shock but gradually increased during the 2 hours of LHB. Upon completion of bypass, MOC of the damaged heart increased to a remarkable degree, but not to initial control levels. However, the linear correlation between MOC and MAP, noted before the induction of cardiogenic shock, disappeared after shock and was not restored after 2 hours of apparently successful bypass. We have concluded that MOC is decreased surgical stress and is further decreased by temporary coronary artery occlusion. MOC is not, however, reduced by nearly total or total LHB in normal hearts. MOC is markedly decreased by cardiac damage but gradually increases in damaged hearts by the use of LHB.