Cardio- and hemodynamics of dogs in exposure of the heart to immune complexes

The cardiovascular effects induced by in-vitro obtained immune complexes (horse serum antigens--rabbit specific antibodies) were studied in dogs. Intracoronary administration of immune complexes was followed by the development of a hypotensive reaction, with a marked decrease in the cardiac output, left ventricle performance, and impairment of pump heart function. After administering immune complexes no marked injuries to the myocardium or depression of its contractility were recorded in the acute period of the reaction. A substantial decrease of venous blood return to the heart caused by blood pooling in the venous peripheral vascular bed underlies pump heart function impairment and the decreased cardiac output.     

The role of the thrombocyte-activating factor in the development of circulatory disorders in the postischemic shock reaction

Experiments carried out on anesthetized dogs have shown that reperfusion of long-ischemized leg tissues is accompanied by a significant decrease of the cardiac output and myocardial contractility. Restriction of the venous return to the heart is important in the cardiac output decrease due to an increase of venous compliance and blood pooling on the peripheral circulation. The preliminary blockade of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptors decreases degree of the cardio- and hemodynamic disturbances after reperfusion of ischemized tissues and prevents development of pulmonary hypertension. Similarity of the postreperfusion central and peripheral hemodynamic disturbances and animal responses to injection of the exogenous PAF as well as the presence of the protective effect of PAF-receptor antagonist BNo. 52021 permit concluding, that PAF takes part in the development of postischemic shock reaction and its receptor blockade can be used to prevent postreperfusion hemodynamic disorders.     

The role of prostaglandins in the development of cardio- and hemodynamic disorders in postischemic shock

Experiments on anaesthetized dogs have shown, that reperfusion of ischemized tissues is accompanied by significant increase in thromboxane A2 (Tx A2) and prostacyclin (PG I2) blood level and by development of pronounced cardiovascular insufficiency. Preliminary blockade of prostaglandins biosynthesis prevent an increase of TbA2 and PG12 blood level, postreperfusion disturbances of central and regional circulation develop later and are less pronounced. Therefore, endogenic prostaglandins take part in the development of post ischemic shock reaction, influencing chiefly the venous vessels and blood return to heart.     

Metabolic changes in dogs during anaphylactic shock.

Hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were studied in conscious dogs during anaphylactic shock. Mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output decreased and heart rate increased during shock. FFA flux and O₂ consumption decreased significantly shortly after the challenging injection. RQ was elevated indicating a shift in metabolite utilization towards carbohydrates.     

Disorders of cardio- and hemodynamics in endotoxic shock

Relative significance of cardiac and vessel components as well as the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in the development of endotoxic shock have been investigated in two series of experiments on the mongrel dogs. It is determined that endotoxin exerts no direct negative inotropic influence on the myocardium: blood pool in peripheral capacitance vessels plays a main role in the development of the first phase of the endotoxic shock (the first 30 min), that is a result of prostacyclin influence on these vessels, while in the subsequent phase it is a result of the bloodflow disturbance in the myocardium or arachidonic acid metabolites influence on the myocardium. Administration of endotoxin to the bloodflow significantly increased concentration of prostanoids; thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin in it. Indomethacin, inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, prevents development of the endotoxic shock.     

Selective AV nodal vagal stimulation improves hemodynamics during acute atrial fibrillation in dogs

Although the atrioventricular node (AVN) plays a vital role in blocking many of the atrial impulses from reaching the ventricles during atrial fibrillation (AF), a rapid irregular ventricular rate nevertheless persists. The goals of the present study were to explore the feasibility of novel epicardial selective vagal nerve stimulation for slowing of the ventricular rate during AF and to characterize the hemodynamic benefits in vivo. Electrophysiological-echocardiographic experiments were performed on 11 anesthetized open-chest dogs. Hemodynamic measurements were performed during three distinct periods: 1) sinus rate, 2) AF, and 3) AF with vagal nerve stimulation. AF was associated with significant deterioration of all measured parameters (P < 0.025). The vagal nerve stimulation produced slowing of the ventricular rate, significant reversal of the pressure and contractile indexes (P < 0.025), and a sharp reduction in one-half of the abortive ventricular contractions. The present study provides comprehensive evidence that slowing of the ventricular rate during AF by selective ganglionic stimulation of the vagal nerves that innervate the AVN successfully improved the hemodynamic responses.     

Myocardial heat shock proteins during the development of heart failure

When cardiomyocytes are exposed to stresses, production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the cells is enhanced. Such increase in cellular HSP production is considered to bring about tolerance against stress-induced cell damage. The exact role of the cellular HSPs remains unclear. In the present study, HSPs in the viable left ventricular myocardium were determined during the development of heart failure following coronary artery ligation (CAL). The rats after CAL showed symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) at the 8th week, but not at the 1st and 2nd weeks. Myocardial HSP27, which may bind to cytoskeletal protein, at the 1st, 2nd, and 8th weeks after CAL was approximately 180, 160, and 125% of the control, respectively. Myocardial HSP60, one of mitochondrial proteins, at the 8th week increased to 140% of the control, whereas those at the 1st and 2nd weeks did not change. Myocardial HSP72, an inducible form of HSP70 family, at the 1st week after CAL increased to 180% of the control, whereas that at the 2nd or 8th week was similar to control. Myocardial heat shock constitutive protein 73 (HSC73), a constitutively expressed form of HSP70 family, and HSP90, which may bind to steroid hormone receptor and actin fiber, of CAL rats did not alter throughout the experiment. These findings show that diverse changes in the production of myocardial HSPs occur during the development of heart failure. Only the increase in myocardial HSP60 production was associated with the development of CHF.     

Electrical activity of the caudate body during the orienting reaction in dogs]

It has been shown that during an orienting reaction a delta-rhythm sets in in the dog EEG of the caudate nucleus head, which coincides with facilitation of the recruited rhythm in the auditory cortex EEG and inhibition of the motor activity. It has been assumed that the caudate nucleus head is involved in the processes of limitation of non-selective movements during orienting reactions.     

Vascular reactivity and thrombus formation during postischemic reperfusion

Reactivity, thrombogeneity, and thromboresistance of the rat mesentery microvessels were studied in postischemic reperfusion of the intestine, the brain, an extremity. Irrespective of ischemia localisation, an augmentation of the microvessels reactivity and reduction of their thromboresistance, were found. The microvessels thrombogeneity was depended on the ischemia localisation: an augmentation of the thrombogenity occurred in arterioles whereas it was reduced in venules following the brain and intestine reperfusion. A possible mechanism of the phenomenon may involve a deficiency of the nitric oxide synthesis.