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Renal denervation restrains the inflammatory response in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Basic Res Cardiol 2020; 115:15. [PMID: 31932910 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-020-0776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to intensive sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and inflammatory reactions. Whether renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) could be a new therapeutic strategy to modulate I/R inflammation and reduce infarct size after myocardial I/R injury needs to be explored. First, we investigated the correlation between plasma norepinephrine concentrations and circulating myeloid cell numbers in patients with acute myocardial infarction. And then, C57BL/6 mice underwent a "two-hit" operation, with 10% phenol applied to bilateral renal nerves to abrogate sympathoexcitation, and a 45-min ligation of the left coronary artery to induce myocardial I/R injury. The effects of RDN on the mobilization of immune cells in mice following myocardial I/R injury were explored. We observed a strong association between SNS overactivation and myeloid cell excessive accumulation in patients. In animal experiments, there was a significant reduction in infarct size per area at risk in the denervated-I/R group when compared to that of the innervated-I/R group (39.2% versus 49.8%; p < 0.005), and RDN also improved the left ventricular ejection fraction by 20% after 1 week. Furthermore, the denervated-I/R group showed a decrease in the number of neutrophils and macrophages in the blood and the myocardium as reflected by immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry analysis (p < 0.05); the decrease was associated with a significant reduction in the circulating production of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α (p < 0.05). In summary, our study reveals a novel link between the SNS activity and inflammatory response undergoing myocardium I/R injury and identifies RDN as a potential therapeutic strategy against myocardium I/R injury via preserving the spleen immune cells mobilization.
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Pipikos T, Kapelouzou A, Tsilimigras DI, Fostinis Y, Pipikou M, Theodorakos A, Pavlidis AN, Kontogiannis C, Cokkinos DV, Koutelou M. Stronger correlation with myocardial ischemia of high-sensitivity troponin T than other biomarkers. J Nucl Cardiol 2019; 26:1674-1683. [PMID: 29380285 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is considered a major cause of death and disability. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) as a non-invasive diagnostic imaging procedure and certain biomarkers associated with myocardial ischemia (ISCH), such as ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), neuropeptide Y (NPY), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) could probably aid in the detection of myocardial infarction. METHODS Between December 2011 and June 2012, we prospectively analyzed patients who underwent a MPS study with the clinical question of myocardial ISCH. An exercise test was performed along with a MPS. Blood was drawn from the patients before exercise and the within 3 minutes from achieving maximum load and was analyzed for the aforementioned biomarkers. RESULTS A total of 71 patients (56 men and 15 women) were enrolled with a mean age of 61 ± 12 years. Twenty-six patients (36.6%) showed reduced uptake on stress MPS images that normalized at rest, a finding consistent with ISCH. Between ISCH and non-ISCH groups, only hsTnT levels showed a significant difference with the highest levels pertaining to the former group both before (0.0075 ng/ml vs 0.0050 ng/ml, P = 0.023) and after stress exercise (0.0085 vs 0.0050, P = 0.015). The most prominent differences were seen in higher stages of the Bruce protocol (stress duration > 9.05 minutes - P < 0.017). None of the IMA, NPY, and NP-pro BNP showed significant differences in time between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Although IMA, NPY, and NT-pro BNP may not detect minor ischemic myocardial insults, serum hsTnT holds a greater ability of detecting not only myocardial infarction but also less severe ischemia. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients are warranted in order to better define the role of hsTnT as a screening tool for myocardial ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Pipikos
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Alkistis Kapelouzou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Efesiou Str., 11527, Athens, Greece.
| | | | - Yannis Fostinis
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Marina Pipikou
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Antonis N Pavlidis
- Department of Cardiology, Guy's and St. Thomas', NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Dennis V Cokkinos
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Efesiou Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Koutelou
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
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Barletta G, Del Bene MR. Myocardial perfusion echocardiography and coronary microvascular dysfunction. World J Cardiol 2015; 7:861-874. [PMID: 26730291 PMCID: PMC4691812 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v7.i12.861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of coronary syndromes has evolved in the last two decades out of the obstructive atherosclerosis of epicardial coronary arteries paradigm to include anatomo-functional abnormalities of coronary microcirculation. No current diagnostic technique allows direct visualization of coronary microcirculation, but functional assessments of this circulation are possible. This represents a challenge in cardiology. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was a breakthrough in echocardiography several years ago that claimed the capability to detect myocardial perfusion abnormalities and quantify coronary blood flow. Research demonstrated that the integration of quantitative MCE and fractional flow reserve improved the definition of ischemic burden and the relative contribution of collaterals in non-critical coronary stenosis. MCE identified no-reflow and low-flow within and around myocardial infarction, respectively, and predicted the potential functional recovery of stunned myocardium using appropriate interventions. MCE exhibited diagnostic performances that were comparable to positron emission tomography in microvascular reserve and microvascular dysfunction in angina patients. Overall, MCE improved echocardiographic evaluations of ischemic heart disease in daily clinical practice, but the approval of regulatory authorities is lacking.
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Bestetti RB, Restini CBA. Precordial chest pain in patients with chronic Chagas disease. Int J Cardiol 2014; 176:309-14. [PMID: 25127335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.07.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Precordial chest pain affects about 15% to 33% of patients with chronic Chagas disease. In the absence of megaesophagus, it should be ascribed to chronic Chagas heart disease. Precordial chest pain is atypical because it can usually neither be associated to physical exercise nor be alleviated by nitroglycerin. However, in certain circumstances, precordial chest pain can masquerade as acute coronary syndrome. Although obstructive coronary artery disease can occasionally be found, microvascular angina seems to be the mechanism behind such phenomenon. Precordial chest pain not always has a benign clinical course; sometimes, it can herald a dismal prognosis. On the basis of cases previously reported, it seems that nitrates, betablockers and/or calcium channel blockers can be of value in the treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinaldo B Bestetti
- Medical Course, University of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Avenida Costábile Romano, 2201, Ribeirão Preto City 14096-900, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Baraldi A Restini
- Medical Course, University of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Avenida Costábile Romano, 2201, Ribeirão Preto City 14096-900, Brazil.
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Gregorini L, Marco J, Heusch G. Peri-interventional coronary vasomotion. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2011; 52:883-9. [PMID: 21971073 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2011.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a unique condition to study the effects of ischemia and reperfusion in patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis when coronary vasomotor function is compromised by loss of endothelial and autoregulatory vasodilation. We studied the effects of intracoronary non-selective α-, as well as selective α(1)- and α(2)-blockade in counteracting the observed vasoconstriction in patients with stable and unstable angina and in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Coronary vasoconstriction in our studies was a diffuse phenomenon and involved not only the culprit lesion but also vessels with angiographically not visible plaques. Post-PCI vasoconstriction was reflected by increased coronary vascular resistance and associated with decreased LV-function. α (1)-Blockade with urapidil dilated epicardial coronary arteries, improved coronary flow reserve and counteracted LV dysfunction. Non-selective α-blockade with phentolamine induced epicardial and microvascular dilation, while selective α(2)-blockade with yohimbine had only minor vasodilator and functional effects. Intracoronary α-blockade also attenuated the no-reflow phenomenon following primary PCI. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Coronary Blood Flow".
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Gregorini
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Parea 4, Milan, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Antonio Lanza
- From the Istituto di Cardiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Filippo Crea
- From the Istituto di Cardiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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7
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Heusch G. Heart rate in the pathophysiology of coronary blood flow and myocardial ischaemia: benefit from selective bradycardic agents. Br J Pharmacol 2008; 153:1589-601. [PMID: 18223669 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0707673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Starting out from a brief description of the determinants of coronary blood flow (perfusion, pressure, extravascular compression, autoregulation, metabolic regulation, endothelium-mediated regulation and neurohumoral regulation) the present review highlights the overwhelming importance of metabolic regulation such that coronary blood flow is increased at increased heart rate under physiological circumstances and the overwhelming importance of extravascular compression such that coronary blood flow is decreased at increased heart rate through reduction of diastolic duration in the presence of severe coronary stenoses. The review goes on to characterize the role of heart rate in the redistribution of regional myocardial blood flow between a normal coronary vascular tree with preserved autoregulation and a poststenotic vasculature with exhausted coronary reserve. When flow is normalized by heart rate, there is a consistent close relationship of regional myocardial blood flow and contractile function for each single cardiac cycle no matter whether or not there is a coronary stenosis and what the actual blood flow is. beta-Blockade improves both flow and function along this relationship. When the heart rate reduction associated with beta-blockade is prevented by pacing, alpha-adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction is unmasked and both flow and function are deteriorated. Selective heart rate reduction, however, improves both flow and function without any residual negative effect such as unmasked alpha-adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction or negative inotropic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Heusch
- Institute for Pathophysiology, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany.
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Saburkina I, Pauza DH. Location and variability of epicardiac ganglia in human fetuses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 211:585-94. [PMID: 16897010 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-006-0110-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the morphology of epicardiac ganglia in human fetuses at different stages of their development as these ganglia are considered to be of a pivotal clinical importance. Twenty-one fetal hearts were investigated applying a technique of histochemistry for acetylcholinesterase to visualize the epicardiac neural ganglionated plexus with its subsequent stereoscopic examination on total organs. In all of the examined fetuses, epicardiac neural plexus with numerous ganglia was well recognizable and could be clearly differentiated into seven ganglionated subplexuses, topography and structural organization of which were typical for hearts of adult human. The largest ganglion number comprising 77% of all counted ganglia was identified on the dorsal atrial surface. Fetal epicardiac plexus in gestation period of 15-40 weeks contained 929 +/- 62 ganglia, but ganglion amount did vary substantially from heart to heart. In conclusion, this study implies that the human fetal epicardiac ganglia occupy their definitive location already at gestation period from 15 weeks and their number as well as distribution on heart surface presumably is not age dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Saburkina
- Institute for Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickeviciaus Street 9, Kaunas 44307, Lithuania
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Abstract
Cardiac alterations in patients with arterial hypertension comprise the manifestation of stenosis in epicardial arteries, disease of coronary resistive vessels, prothrombotic changes and endothelial dysfunction, pronounced perivascular and interstitial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation of the left atrium, increased sympathetic drive and degeneration of aortic valve. These alterations leads to the major clinical manifestations of hypertensive heart disease, that are symptoms of reduced coronary conductance, left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic and systolic dysfunction with or without left ventricular enlargement and arrhythmia. Different non-invasive and invase procedures are available for screening and follow up of patients with hypertensive heart disease. The primary therapeutic target is, apart from lowering blood pressure, to reverse cardiac manifestations of arterial hypertension using specific therapeutic algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kelm
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Pneumologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik B, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
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Dagres N, Haude M, Baumgart D, Sack S, Erbel R. Assessment of coronary morphology and flow in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome and ST-segment elevation. Clin Cardiol 2001; 24:260-3. [PMID: 11288976 PMCID: PMC6654908 DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960240318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/1999] [Accepted: 10/13/1999] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome often have cardiac disturbances as a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction. Such abnormalities consist of arrhythmias and disturbances of heart rate and blood pressure. We report a case of a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome who developed ST-segment elevation in the inferolateral leads, suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac catheterization revealed angiographically normal coronary arteries. Intracoronary ultrasound was also normal. Intracoronary Doppler flow measurements revealed an elevated baseline coronary flow velocity of up to 41 cm/s and decreased coronary flow reserve, particularly in the left circumflex artery. Myopericarditis as cause of the electrocardiographic changes could be ruled out by echocardiography and endomyocardial biopsy. We postulate that the intracoronary Doppler findings are caused by autonomic dysfunction with decrease of coronary resistance and redistribution of the transmural myocardial blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dagres
- Department of Cardiology, Center of Internal Medicine, University of Essen, Germany
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11
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Rozanski A, Qureshi EA, Bornstein A. Postexercise left ventricular function: a comparative assessment by different noninvasive imaging modalities. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2001; 43:335-50. [PMID: 11235848 DOI: 10.1053/pcad.2001.20503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The variety of noninvasive imaging modalities now available permits assessment of different aspects of left ventricular function in the postexercise state. Some of these modalities, such as first-pass radionuclide ventriculography, permit a nearly instantaneous assessment of left ventricular function in the early postexercise state. These modalities indicate that most exercise-induced left ventricular wall motion abnormalities resolve quickly after exercise. Resting wall motion abnormalities may also improve in the postexercise period; this response indicates the presence of hibernating myocardium capable of improving in response to myocardial revascularization procedures. On the other hand, all imaging techniques indicate that a certain percentage of exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities may persist into the postexercise period, and this finding signifies that severe coronary disease subtends the region of persisting wall motion abnormality. Further, if there is increased left ventricular size after exercise, both extensive and severe coronary disease are present. A conceptual framework for unifying these disparate findings is provided. These results underscore the importance of postexercise imaging in enhancing clinical assessment and imply that there are important technical considerations to contemplate when performing certain tests such as postexercise echocardiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rozanski
- Department of Medicine, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10025, USA
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PAUZIENE NERINGA, PAUZA DAINIUSH, STROPUS RIMVYDAS. Morphology of human intracardiac nerves: an electron microscope study. J Anat 2000; 197 Pt 3:437-59. [PMID: 11117629 PMCID: PMC1468144 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2000.19730437.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since many human heart diseases involve both the intrinsic cardiac neurons and nerves, their detailed normal ultrastructure was examined in material from autopsy cases without cardiac complications obtained no more than 8 h after death. Many intracardiac nerves were covered by epineurium, the thickness of which was related to nerve diameter. The perineurial sheath varied from nerve to nerve and, depending on nerve diameter, contained up to 12 layers of perineurial cells. The sheaths of the intracardiac nerves therefore become progressively attenuated during their course in the heart. The intraneural capillaries of the human heart differ from those in animals in possessing an increased number of endothelial cells. A proportion of the intraneural capillaries were fenestrated. The number of unmyelinated axons within unmyelinated nerve fibres was related to nerve diameter, thin cardiac nerves possessing fewer axons. The most distinctive feature was the presence of stacks of laminated Schwann cell processes unassociated with axons that were more frequent in older subjects. Most unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibres showed normal ultrastructure, although a number of profiles displayed a variety of different axoplasmic contents. Collectively, the data provide baseline information on the normal structure of intracardiac nerves in healthy humans which may be useful for assessing the degree of nerve damage both in autonomic and sensory neuropathies in the human heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- NERINGA PAUZIENE
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Human Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - DAINIUS H.
PAUZA
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Human Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Correspondence to Associate Professor D.-H. Pauza, Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Human Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickeviciaus Street 9, Kaunas LT-3000, Lithuania. Fax: (370 7) 220733; e-mail:
| | - RIMVYDAS STROPUS
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Human Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Gullestad L, Jorgensen B, Bjuro T, Pernow J, Lundberg JM, Dota CD, Hall C, Simonsen S, Ablad B. Postexercise ischemia is associated with increased neuropeptide Y in patients with coronary artery disease. Circulation 2000; 102:987-93. [PMID: 10961962 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.102.9.987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurohormones may influence vascular tone both during and after exercise. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is costored and released with norepinephrine (NE) during sympathetic activity, is a potent vasoconstrictor with a relatively long half-life. We therefore examined its possible association with the ischemic response to exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-nine male patients with effort-induced angina pectoris underwent a symptom-limited exercise test. In addition to conventional ST-segment analysis, we examined ischemia on the basis of heart rate (HR)-adjusted ST-segment changes through calculation of the ST/HR slope during the final 4 minutes of exercise and of the ST/HR recovery loop after exercise. Blood samples were taken before, during, and after exercise for an analysis of several neurohormones. Mean ST-segment depression was -223+/-20.2 microV (P:<0.0001) just before the termination of exercise, followed by a gradual normalization, but it remained significant after 10 minutes (-49+/-8.9 microV, P:<0.0001). At the end of exercise, the ST/HR slope, which reflects myocardial ischemia, was -6.0+/-0.77 microV/HR. In most patients, ST-segment levels at a given HR were lower during recovery than during exercise, here referred to as ST "deficit." Exercise increased the plasma levels of NPY, NE, epinephrine, and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, but big endothelin remained unchanged. Although NE and epinephrine peaked at maximal exercise, the highest levels of NPY and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide were observed 4 minutes after exercise. The maximal increase in the NPY correlated significantly with ST-segment depression at 3 minutes after exercise (r=-0.61, P:= 0.0005), the ST deficit at the corresponding time point (r=-0.66, P:= 0.0001), and the duration of ST-segment depression after exercise (r= 0.42, P:=0.02). In contrast, no such correlations were found for NE. CONCLUSIONS The present study has for the first time demonstrated a correlation between plasma NPY levels and the degree and duration of ST-segment depression after exercise in patients with coronary artery disease, which suggests that NPY may contribute to myocardial ischemia in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gullestad
- Department of Cardiology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Pauza DH, Skripka V, Pauziene N, Stropus R. Morphology, distribution, and variability of the epicardiac neural ganglionated subplexuses in the human heart. THE ANATOMICAL RECORD 2000; 259:353-82. [PMID: 10903529 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0185(20000801)259:4<353::aid-ar10>3.0.co;2-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Concomitant with the development of surgical treatment of cardiac arrythmias and management of myocardial ischemia, there is renewed interest in morphology of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. In this study, we analyze the topography and structure of the human epicardiac neural plexus (ENP) as a system of seven ganglionated subplexuses. The morphology of the ENP was revealed by a histochemical method for acetylcholinesterase in whole hearts of 21 humans and examined by stereoscopic, contact, and bright-field microscopy. According to criteria established to distinguish ganglionated subplexuses, they are epicardiac extensions of mediastinal nerves entering the heart through discrete sites of the heart hilum and proceeding separately into regions of innervation by seven pathways, on the courses of which epicardiac ganglia, as wide ganglionated fields, are plentifully located. It was established that topography of epicardiac subplexuses was consistent from heart to heart. In general, the human right atrium was innervated by two subplexuses, the left atrium by three, the right ventricle by one, and the left ventricle by three subplexuses. The highest density of epicardiac ganglia was identified near the heart hilum, especially on the dorsal and dorsolateral surfaces of the left atrium, where up to 50% of all cardiac ganglia were located. The number of epicardiac ganglia identified for the human hearts in this study ranged from 706 up to 1,560 and was not correlated with age in most heart regions. The human heart contained on average 836 +/- 76 epicardiac ganglia. The structural organization of ganglia and nerves within subplexuses was observed to vary considerably from heart to heart and in relation to age. The number of neurons identified for any epicardiac ganglion was significantly fewer in aged human compared with infants. By estimating the number of neurons within epicardiac ganglia and relating this to the number of ganglia in the human epicardium, it was calculated that approximately 43,000 intrinsic neurons might be present in the ENP in adult hearts and 94,000 neurons in young hearts (fetuses, neonates, and children). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the total ENP in humans using staining for acetylcholinesterase, and provides a morphological framework for an understanding of how intrinsic ganglia and nerves are structurally organized within the human heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Pauza
- Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Human Anatomy, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania.
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15
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Julius BK, Vassalli G, Mandinov L, Hess OM. Alpha-adrenoceptor blockade prevents exercise-induced vasoconstriction of stenotic coronary arteries. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999; 33:1499-505. [PMID: 10334414 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(99)00053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to evaluate the role of alpha-adrenergic mechanisms during dynamic exercise in both normal and stenotic coronary arteries. BACKGROUND Paradoxical vasoconstriction of stenotic coronary arteries has been reported during dynamic exercise and may be due to several factors such as alpha-adrenergic drive, a decreased release of nitric oxide, platelet aggregation with release of serotonin, or a passive collapse of the vessel wall. METHODS Twenty-six patients were studied at rest, during two levels of supine bicycle exercise and after 1.6 mg sublingual nitroglycerin. The alpha-blocker phentolamine was given to 16 patients before exercise, five of whom had also taken a beta-adrenergic-blocker the same morning. Ten patients served as controls. The cross-sectional areas of a normal and a stenotic coronary vessel were determined by biplane quantitative coronary arteriography. RESULTS In the normal vessel segments, coronary cross-sectional area did not change after phentolamine injection, but increased in all patient groups similarly during exercise. Although coronary vasoconstriction existed in stenotic vessel segments in control patients, phentolamine-treated patients showed exercise-induced vasodilation without difference in patients with and without chronic beta-blockade. CONCLUSIONS Exercise-induced vasoconstriction of stenotic coronary arteries is prevented by intracoronary administration of phentolamine. There was no difference in coronary vasomotion between patients receiving phentolamine alone and patients receiving phentolamine in addition to a beta-blocker. This finding suggests that exercise-induced vasoconstriction is mediated not only by endothelial dysfunction but also by alpha-adrenergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- B K Julius
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Yan M, Zhang Y, Du XJ, Han C. Functional assessment of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in porcine coronary artery. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1998; 25:682-5. [PMID: 9750956 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1998.tb02276.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
1. alpha 1-Adrenoceptors are known to play an important role in vasoconstriction in response to adrenergic stimulation. However, the functional importance of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes at the epicardial coronary artery remains unclear. We examined alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes by comparing functional affinities for alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists on noradrenaline (NA)-induced vasoconstriction in porcine denuded right coronary arteries. 2. Noradrenaline induced a dose-dependent vasoconstriction in incubated vessel rings. Prazosin and phentolamine were potent and competitive antagonists for NA-induced contraction (pA2 10.27 and 9.03, respectively). In contrast, the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine had a low affinity (pA2 6.13). Two selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonists, WB 4101 and 5-methyl urapidil, were potent and competitive antagonists of alpha 1-adrenoceptor-induced contraction (pA2 10.67 and 8.90, respectively) and the selective alpha 1D-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 had a low affinity (pA2 6.06). Noradrenaline-induced contraction was insensitive to the alkylating effects of chlorethylclonidine. These observations indicate that the vasoconstriction is predominantly mediated by the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype. This was also supported by a good correlation between pA2 values from the present study and reported binding affinities (pKi) of various alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists with cloned human alpha 1A-adrenoceptors (r = 0.98), but not for alpha 1B- or alpha 1D-adrenoceptor subtypes (r = 0.77 and 0.41, respectively). 3. Our results indicate that the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor is the main functional receptor subtype in porcine denuded coronary arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yan
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Third Hospital, Beijing Medical University, PR China
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Yan M, Lu Z, Du XJ, Han C. Effects of micromolar concentrations of Mn, Mo, and Si on alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction in porcine coronary artery. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998; 64:75-87. [PMID: 9845464 DOI: 10.1007/bf02783326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effects of trace elements, Mn, Mo, and Si, on vasoconstriction induced by norepinephrine (NE) or electrical field stimulation in isolated porcine right coronary arteries. Alpha1-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist prazosin dose-despondently suppressed vasoconstriction in response to NE or field stimulation indicating an alpha1-AR mediated response. Mn, Mo, and Si at 0.3-3 micromol/L dose-despondently inhibited NE mediated contraction (all p < 0.05). In contrast, Mn, Mo, and Si at the same concentrations (0.3-3 micromol/L) enhanced the maximal contractile response to field stimulation in a dose-dependent manner (all p < 0.05), but these elements at 10 micromol/L suppressed the vasoconstrictive response. The results indicate that in porcine right coronary arteries, the alpha1-AR-mediated vasoconstriction by NE or electrical field stimulation was affected differently by micromolar concentrations of Mn, Mo, and Si and that the elements might facilitate NE release presynaptically but inhibit the contractile response postsynaptically.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yan
- Institution of Vascular Medicine, The Third Hospital, Beijing Medical University, P.R. China
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Foëx P, Howell SJ. The myocardium. Can J Anaesth 1997; 44:R67-76. [PMID: 9196841 DOI: 10.1007/bf03022266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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