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Al-Juhani A, Imran M, Aljaili ZK, Alzhrani MM, Alsalman RA, Ahmed M, Ali DK, Fallatah MI, Yousuf HM, Dajani LM. Beyond the Pump: A Narrative Study Exploring Heart Memory. Cureus 2024; 16:e59385. [PMID: 38694651 PMCID: PMC11061817 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of organ transplantation, particularly heart transplantation, has brought to light interesting phenomena challenging traditional understandings of memory, identity, and consciousness. Studies indicate that heart transplant recipients may exhibit preferences, emotions, and memories resembling those of the donors, suggesting a form of memory storage within the transplanted organ. Mechanisms proposed for this memory transfer include cellular memory, epigenetic modifications, and energetic interactions. Moreover, the heart's intricate neural network, often referred to as the "heart brain," communicates bidirectionally with the brain and other organs, supporting the concept of heart-brain connection and its role in memory and personality. Additionally, observations from hemispherectomy procedures highlight the brain's remarkable plasticity and functional preservation beyond expectations, further underscoring the complex interplay between the brain, body, and identity. However, ethical and philosophical questions regarding the implications of these findings, including the definition of death and the nature of personal identity, remain unresolved. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to unravel the intricacies of memory transfer, neuroplasticity, and organ integration, offering insights into both organ transplantation and broader aspects of neuroscience and human identity. Understanding these complexities holds promise for enhancing patient care in organ transplantation and deepens our understanding of fundamental aspects of human experience and existence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zeyad K Aljaili
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | | | | | - Marwah Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Dana K Ali
- College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, SAU
| | - Mutaz I Fallatah
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU
| | - Hamad M Yousuf
- College of Medicine, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Leena M Dajani
- College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, BHR
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Shu Q, Wang Y, Lin X, Xie S, Wang Z, Wang S, Yin L. Assessment of fetal intraventricular diastolic fluid dynamics using ultrasound vector flow mapping. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:488. [PMID: 37794371 PMCID: PMC10552239 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of visualizing and quantifying the normal pattern of vortex formation in the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) of the fetal heart during diastole using vector flow mapping (VFM). METHODS A total of 36 healthy fetuses in the second trimester (mean gestational age: 23 weeks, 2 days; range: 22-24 weeks) were enrolled in the study. Color Doppler signals were recorded in the four-chamber view to observe the phase of the diastolic vortices in the LV and RV. The vortex area and circulation were measured, and parameters such as intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD), intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG), and average energy loss (EL_AVG) were evaluated at different diastolic phases, including isovolumic relaxation (D1), early diastole (D2), and late diastole (D3). RESULTS Healthy second-trimester fetal vortex formations were observed in both the LV and RV at the end of diastole, with the vortices rotating in a clockwise direction towards the outflow tract. There were no significant differences in vortex area and circulation between the two ventricles (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were found in IVPD, IVPG, and EL_AVG among the diastolic phases (D1, D2, and D3) (p < 0.05). Trends in IVPD, IVPG, and EL_AVG during diastole (D1-D2-D3) revealed increasing IVPD and EL_AVG values, as well as decreasing IVPG values. Furthermore, during D3, the RV exhibited significantly higher IVPD, IVPG, and EL_AVG compared to the LV (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION VFM is a valuable technique for analyzing the formation of vortices in the left and right ventricles during fetal diastole. The application of VFM technology has the potential to enhance the assessment of fetal cardiac parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglan Shu
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shenghua Xie
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengyang Wang
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lixue Yin
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound & Noninvasive Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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Anderson RH. Comment on "The Memory of the Heart". J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5040060. [PMID: 30572586 PMCID: PMC6306740 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5040060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In his recent review for the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, Cirillo offers a concept for "cardiac memory" based on the notion that the ventricular cone can be unwrapped to show a myocardial band extending from the pulmonary to the aortic root. The concept of the myocardial band was itself developed by Torrent Guasp, and has subsequently been championed by Buckberg. Neither Torrent Guasp, when formulating his initial concept, nor Buckberg in his subsequent endorsements, have validated the results of dissection using histological or other techniques that would reveal the boundaries of the alleged band. In contrast, there is a wealth of evidence showing that such boundaries do not exist and that the cardiomyocytes are packed together within the walls of the ventricular cone in the form of a three-dimensional mesh. The evidence demonstrating the manner of packing of the cardiomyocytes within the ventricular walls was summarised in another recent review published in the journal. It is disappointing that Cirillo chose to ignore the wealth of evidence disproving the concept on which he bases his entire review. Only by recognising the existence of this evidence can we truly understand ventricular function correctly, as envisaged by Cirillo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Anderson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP, UK.
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