Ultrastructure of failing myocardium due to induced chronic mitral insufficiency in dogs.

Left ventricular failure was produced in dogs by inducing mitral insufficiency and the cardiac muscle was examined for ultrastructural changes in thsese failing hearts after 5-10 months of mitral insufficiency. The left ventricular failure was established by haemodynamic measurements, chest X-ray and examination of the heart. In the failing heart, the increased number of mitochondria showed close approximation with the sarcolemmal membrane in the T-tubules as well as in the intercalated discs (ID); this is in contrast to what is seen in normal hearts, where T-tubules were mostly coupled with sarcoplasmic reticulum. It is possible that in the heart failing on account of mitral insufficiency mitochondria may be taking over the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Although ID were jumbled up in the failing heart, the intercellular gap and specialized membrane junctions (gap and tight junctions, desmosomes) were quite comparable to normal, indicating that intercellular communication at ID in this type of heart failure is probably maintained. Nuclear chromatin in the failing heart was condensed and lined the inner nuclear membrane. Microbodies with a single limiting membrane were frequent and so were lipofuscin granules. The latter could be an end product of degenerative mitochondria. Golgi bodies in the failing heart were also present in locations away from the nucleus.     

The enabler cannula pump: a novel circulatory support system.

BACKGROUND: The enabler circulatory support system is a catheter pump which expels blood from the left or right ventricular cavity and provides pulsatile flow in the ascending aorta or pulmonary artery. It is driven by a bedside installed pulsatile driving console. The device can easily be implanted by a minimal invasive approach, similar to the Hemopump. PURPOSE: To demonstrate the hemodynamic performance of this new intracardiac support system. METHODS: In a series of 9 sheep, hemodynamic evolutions were recorded in various conditions of myocardial contractility (the non-failing, the moderately failing and the severely failing heart). Heart failure was induced by injection of microspheres in the coronary arteries. RESULTS: Introduction of the cannula through the aortic valve was feasible in all cases. Pump flow by the enabler was gradually increased to a maximum of 3.5 L/min. Diastolic (and mean) aortic blood pressure is significantly increased in the non-failing and moderately failing condition (counterpulsation mode). In heart failure, cardiac output is significantly increased by the pump (p < 0.0001). A drop in left atrial pressure (indicating unloading) is achieved in all conditions but reaches significant levels only during heart failure (p=0.0068). CONCLUSIONS: This new circulatory support system contributes to stabilization of the circulation in the presence of cardiac unloading. In heart failure it actually supports the circulation by increasing cardiac output and perfusion pressure.     

Increased chemiluminescence of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in dogs with volume overload heart failure

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) stimulation is known to generate oxygen free radicals. Exogenous oxygen free radicals, generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase, have been implicated in the decrease of cardiac contractility. It is possible that PMN have increased capacity to release oxygen free radicals in failing heart. It was, therefore, decided to investigate PMN chemiluminescence (oxygen free radicals) from blood in dogs with heart failure due to chronic volume overload. The dogs were divided into two groups: (A) normal, six dogs; (B) dogs with mitral insufficiency (MI) of 6-9 months' duration, six dogs. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded to assess cardiac failure. Mixed venous blood was collected to measure PMN chemiluminescence. Stimulation of PMN was initiated by addition of opsonized zymosan and chemiluminescence was monitored using a luminometer. The haemodynamic parameters in dogs with MI showed that these dogs had left ventricular failure. The peak chemiluminescent activity of PMN in blood of dogs with left ventricular failure was approximately four times that in the blood from normal dogs. This increase in chemiluminescence reflects an increase in the generation of oxygen free radicals from PMN in dogs with chronic heart failure. The decrease in the myocardial contractility in cardiac failure might be due to an increase in the oxygen free radicals produced by the PMN.     

Decreased catecholamine sensitivity and beta-adrenergic-receptor density in failing human hearts

To identify the role of the myocardial beta-adrenergic pathway in congestive heart failure, we examined beta-adrenergic-receptor density, adenylate cyclase and creatine kinase activities, muscle contraction in vitro, and myocardial contractile protein levels in the left ventricles of failing and normally functioning hearts from cardiac-transplant recipients or prospective donors. Eleven failing left ventricles had a 50 to 56 per cent reduction in beta-receptor density, a 45 per cent reduction in maximal isoproterenol-mediated adenylate cyclase stimulation, and a 54 to 73 per cent reduction in maximal isoproterenol-stimulated muscle contraction, as compared with six normally functioning ventricles (P less than 0.05 for each comparison). In contrast, cytoplasmic creatine kinase activity, adenylate cyclase activities stimulated by fluoride ion and by histamine, histamine-stimulated muscle contraction, and levels of contractile protein were not different in the two groups (P less than 0.05). We conclude that in failing human hearts a decrease in beta-receptor density leads to subsensitivity of the beta-adrenergic pathway and decreased beta-agonist-stimulated muscle contraction. Regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors may be an important variable in cardiac failure.     

Increased chemiluminescence of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in dogs with volume overload heart failure.

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) stimulation is known to generate oxygen free radicals. Exogenous oxygen free radicals, generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase, have been implicated in the decrease of cardiac contractility. It is possible that PMN have increased capacity to release oxygen free radicals in failing heart. It was, therefore, decided to investigate PMN chemiluminescence (oxygen free radicals) from blood in dogs with heart failure due to chronic volume overload. The dogs were divided into two groups: (A) normal, six dogs; (B) dogs with mitral insufficiency (MI) of 6-9 months'' duration, six dogs. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded to assess cardiac failure. Mixed venous blood was collected to measure PMN chemiluminescence. Stimulation of PMN was initiated by addition of opsonized zymosan and chemiluminescence was monitored using a luminometer. The haemodynamic parameters in dogs with MI showed that these dogs had left ventricular failure. The peak chemiluminescent activity of PMN in blood of dogs with left ventricular failure was approximately four times that in the blood from normal dogs. This increase in chemiluminescence reflects an increase in the generation of oxygen free radicals from PMN in dogs with chronic heart failure. The decrease in the myocardial contractility in cardiac failure might be due to an increase in the oxygen free radicals produced by the PMN.     

HeartPatch implanted direct cardiac compression: effect on coronary flow and flow patterns in acute heart failure sheep

A novel HeartPatch direct cardiac compression (DCC) device has been shown to effectively restore circulatory parameters in sheep with acute heart failure (HF). Its effect on the coronary circulation and myocardial perfusion, however, remains uncertain. The effect of DCC assist on coronary artery blood flow (CABF) and its patterns in acute HF sheep were examined in this study. Ten sheep (51 +/- 6 kg) were implanted with a heart patch on each of the left ventricular and right ventricular free walls 1 week before study. Stable HF [cardiac output (CO) at 51 +/- 8% of baseline] induced by intravenous esmolol resulted in CABF decreasing to 53 +/- 16% of baseline (p < 0.001). DCC device activation did not alter CABF (54 +/- 15% of baseline, N.S.) but was accompanied by increases in both peak antegrade and retrograde flow velocity (161 +/- 75%, p < 0.001 and 413 +/- 377%, p < 0.001). A shift in the proportion of flow occurring in diastole (%DF) also was observed: baseline, 81 +/- 9%; HF, 82 +/- 6%; DCC assist, 121 +/- 16% (p < 0.001). Despite significant changes in coronary artery flow pattern resulting from DCC of the failing heart, total antegrade coronary flow was maintained. These findings suggest that myocardial perfusion is not compromised by DCC.     

有氧运动抑制心梗后心力衰竭大鼠左室重塑及交感神经重塑

目的:探讨长期有氧运动对心梗后心力衰竭(心衰)大鼠模型左心室及交感神经重塑(结构重塑与功能重塑)的影响,为心衰的机制研究及康复治疗提供科学依据和有效方法。方法:健康雄性Wistar大鼠通过结扎冠状动脉前降支建立心梗后心衰模型,术后4周随机分为假手术安静组(S组)、心衰安静组(H组)和心衰运动组(HE组)。HE组进行10周跑台训练,S组和H组保持安静状态。超声心动术检测心脏结构与功能,即左室舒张期内径(LVIDd)、左室收缩期内径(LVIDs)、左室舒张期前壁厚度(LVAWDd)、左室收缩期前壁厚度(LVAWDs)、左室舒张期后壁厚度(LVPWDd)、左室收缩期后壁厚度(LVPWDs)、缩短分数(FS)和左室射血分数(LVEF);Masson染色进行心脏组织病理学观察并获得心肌胶原容积分数(CVF);高压液相色谱法检测心肌和血浆去甲肾上腺素(NE)水平;经皮下引导电极连续采集心电信号,对自主神经功能参数——心率变异性(HRV)进行频域分析,包括总功率谱(TP)、归一化低频功率谱(LFn)、归一化高频功率谱(HFn)和LF/HF比值;实时荧光定量PCR检测心肌I型胶原(Col-I)、III型胶原(Col-III)、心房钠尿因子(ANF)、α-肌球蛋白重链(α-MHC)、β-肌球蛋白重链(β-MHC)和肌质网Ca2+-ATP酶(SERCA2a)mRNA表达,Western blotting法检测心肌神经生长因子(NGF)及其受体(Trk A)和酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)蛋白表达。结果:(1)与S组比较,H组体重(BW)、LVIDd、FS、LVEF、TP、HFn、α-MHC和SERCA2a的mRNA,NGF、Trk A和TH的蛋白表达降低(P0.05);左室重量(LVW)、左室质量指数(LVMI)、LVAWDd、LVAWDs、LVPWDd、LVPWDs、CVF、血浆和心肌NE含量、LFn、LF/HF、ANF、β-MHC、Col-I和Col-III的mRNA表达升高(P0.05)。(2)与H组比较,HE组LVW、LVMI、LVIDd、FS、LVEF、TP、HFn、α-MHC和SERCA2a的mRNA,NGF、Trk A和TH的蛋白表达升高(P0.05);CVF、血浆和心肌NE含量、LFn、LF/HF、ANF、β-MHC、Col-I和Col-III的mRNA表达降低(P0.05)。结论:长期有氧运动可抑制心梗后心衰大鼠左室重塑与交感神经重塑,心功能和自主调节改善。     

Time-frequency analysis of the first heart sound: Part 3: Application to dogs with varying cardiac contractility and to patients with mitral mechanical prosthetic heart valves

The cone-kernel distribution (CKD) is first applied to the analysis of the intracardiac and the thoracic first heart sound (S1) of dogs in various cardiac contractile states, and secondly to the S1 of patients with mitral mechanical prosthetic heart valves. The CKD of native S1 in dogs shows that the dominant components of S1 are generally concentrated in a band at around 50 Hz with a horizontal flat or a semi-lunar shape, independently of the myocardial contractile state. There is no significant systematic rising frequency component. The instantaneous frequency of S1 shows a good cross-correlation with the time derivative of the left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), but the maximum frequency is not proportional to the maximum of dP/dt. The CKD of S1 in patients with mitral mechanical prosthetic heart valves showed a pulse-like component with a high-frequency bandwidth, which is distinct from the low constant-frequency components of S1 produced by native heart valves     

Myocardial substrate metabolism in the normal and failing heart

The alterations in myocardial energy substrate metabolism that occur in heart failure, and the causes and consequences of these abnormalities, are poorly understood. There is evidence to suggest that impaired substrate metabolism contributes to contractile dysfunction and to the progressive left ventricular remodeling that are characteristic of the heart failure state. The general concept that has recently emerged is that myocardial substrate selection is relatively normal during the early stages of heart failure; however, in the advanced stages there is a downregulation in fatty acid oxidation, increased glycolysis and glucose oxidation, reduced respiratory chain activity, and an impaired reserve for mitochondrial oxidative flux. This review discusses 1) the metabolic changes that occur in chronic heart failure, with emphasis on the mechanisms that regulate the changes in the expression of metabolic genes and the function of metabolic pathways; 2) the consequences of these metabolic changes on cardiac function; 3) the role of changes in myocardial substrate metabolism on ventricular remodeling and disease progression; and 4) the therapeutic potential of acute and long-term manipulation of cardiac substrate metabolism in heart failure.     

Percutaneous left-heart decompression during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an alternative to surgical and transeptal venting in adult patients

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is often applied for acute cardiorespiratory failure. Left ventricular distension can compromise recovery of the failing heart. To overcome this complication, we describe a new technique to decompress the left heart through the insertion of a venting cannula in the pulmonary artery. A 43-year-old woman was connected to ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock after left pneumonia and severe sepsis. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a large intraventricular clot. A 15F venous cannula was placed percutaneously in the pulmonary artery and connected to the venous limb of the ECMO circuit to decompress the left heart, and to prevent left ventricular ejection and potential embolization. After myocardial recovery, when the thrombus was judged as stable, the patient was weaned, and ECMO was removed on day 16. The patient was discharged from the cardiac surgery intensive care unit on day 30 and subsequently had an uneventful recovery. This new percutaneous approach represent a feasible and effective method to vent the left heart during ECMO, when it becomes necessary to reduce wall tension or to prevent ejection.     

心肌肌浆网Ca2+-ATP酶基因转导改善慢性心力衰竭犬心功能的研究

目的： 探讨以重组腺相关病毒(rAAV)为载体的心肌肌浆网Ca2+-ATP酶(SERCA2a)基因转导对慢性心力衰竭犬心功能的影响。方法: 选取成年比格犬17只，随机分为对照组4只和心力衰竭组11只。快速右心室起搏建立慢性心力衰竭犬模型并随机分为心力衰竭组4只、心力衰竭＋绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）组4只、心力衰竭＋SERCA2a组5只(其中1只在开胸后死亡)。接受基因导入的心力衰竭犬行开胸术，分别向心肌内注射携带EGFP和SERCA2a基因的rAAV载体。于基因转导30d时停止起搏后进行超声心动图和血流动力学检查。结果: 基因转导30 d时，心力衰竭＋SERCA2a 组犬的症状及超声心动图指标与心力衰竭＋EGFP组相比有显著好转（P<0.05）；与对照组相比无显著差别。血流动力学监测发现，转导SERCA2a的犬LVSP、+dp/dtmax和-dp/dtmax明显升高，平均值较EGFP组分别增加54.12％［(214.72±31.74)mmHg vs (139.32±36.79)mmHg］、146.81％［(6 779.43±217.58)mmHg/s vs (2 746.85±931.23)mmHg/s］和71.52％［(-4 341.42±322.02)mmHg/s vs (-2 531.14±616.15 mmHg/s)］，LVEDP则降低了63.43％［(21.86±6.95)mmHg vs (59.78±6.92)mmHg］，所有参数与对照组相比无显著差异。心力衰竭＋EGFP组犬心肌冰冻切片在激光共聚焦显微镜下可见弥漫绿色荧光。结论: 以rAAV为载体介导SERCA2a基因转导能够改善慢性心力衰竭犬心脏的收缩和舒张功能，是1种有前景的治疗慢性心力衰竭的方法。     

Muscle fiber orientation and connective tissue content in the hypertrophied human heart

To elucidate the structural correlates of cardiac failure in myocardial tissue, muscle fiber alignment and connective tissue volume fraction were measured at multiple sites in the left ventricular free wall and in the interventricular septum of 14 human hearts. Group 1 (five hearts; 280 +/- 20 gm.) had no evidence of cardiac disease, group 2 (five hearts; 380 +/- 30 gm.) had a history of systemic hypertension without clinical heart failure, and group 3 (four hearts;; 590 +/- 40 gm.) had both left ventricular overload and congestive failure. Fiber orientations were determined by measuring fiber angle relative to the circumferential direction (helix angle). The fraction of the myocardial volume occupied by connective tissue was determined by point counting. Our results indicate a smooth transition of helix angle from epi- to endocardial surface in the normal left ventricular free wall with nearly 55 per cent of the wall occupied by circumferentially oriented fibers near the cardiac equator (latitude of largest ventricular diameter); morphologically, the interventricular septum was nearly identical with the free wall. Fiber alignment was maintained in all three groups as was the fraction of wall occupied by circumferential fibers. Connective tissue volume fraction was, however, significantly increased (p less than 0.02) in hypertrophied hearts (groups 2 and 3) as compared with normal hearts, and at two of six sites in clinically failed hearts as compared with hypertrophied but functionally compensated hearts. Thus, muscle fiber orientation is not altered in the hypertrophied pressure-overloaded left ventricle, whereas connective tissue content is increased with the increase being greatest in the failing heart.     

Left ventricular and myocardial perfusion responses to volume unloading and afterload reduction in a computer simulation

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been used successfully as a bridge to transplant in heart failure patients by unloading ventricular volume and restoring the circulation. In a few cases, patients have been successfully weaned from these devices after myocardial recovery. To promote myocardial recovery and alleviate the demand for donor organs, we are developing an artificial vasculature device (AVD) that is designed to allow the heart to fill to its normal volume but eject against a lower afterload. Using this approach, the heart ejects its stroke volume (SV) into an AVD anastomosed to the aortic arch, which has been programmed to produce any desired afterload condition defined by an input impedance profile. During diastole, the AVD returns this SV to the aorta, providing counterpulsation. Dynamic computer models of each of the assist devices (AVD, continuous, and pulsatile flow pumps) were developed and coupled to a model of the cardiovascular system. Computer simulations of these assist techniques were conducted to predict physiologic responses. Hemodynamic parameters, ventricular pressure-volume loops, and vascular impedance characteristics were calculated with AVD, continuous VAD, and asynchronous pulsatile VAD support for a range of clinical cardiac conditions (normal, failing, and recovering left ventricle). These simulation results indicate that the AVD may provide better coronary perfusion, as well as lower vascular resistance and elastance seen by the native heart during ejection compared with continuous and pulsatile VAD. Our working hypothesis is that by controlling afterload using the AVD approach, ventricular cannulation can be eliminated, myocardial perfusion improved, myocardial compliance and resistance restored, and effective weaning protocols developed that promote myocardial recovery.     

Heterotopic transplantation of the failing rat heart as a model of left ventricular mechanical unloading toward recovery

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is usually used in patients with end-stage heart failure as a bridge to transplantation. Recently, some studies have reported functional recovery with the use of an LVAD, although the mechanisms responsible for recovery are not fully understood. We investigated the functional recovery of the infarcted, failing rat heart in response to mechanical unloading after heterotopic transplantation. Heart failure was induced in Lewis rats by ligating the left anterior descending artery. After 4 weeks, the infarcted hearts were harvested and heterotopically transplanted. The transplanted infarcted heart was removed after 2 weeks of unloading and examined for hypertrophy and fibrosis, as well as for mRNA levels encoding for brain natriuretic peptide, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase2a (SERCA2a), and beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors. Normal and infarcted rats without transplantation served as control animals. The infarcted heart was hypertrophied as evidenced by an increase in heart weight and myocyte diameter. After unloading the infarcted heart for 2 weeks, there was a decrease in heart weight and myocyte diameter. However, the percentage of myocardial fibrosis increased after unloading. The mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide and the beta2-adrenergic receptor significantly improved after mechanical unloading. The levels of SERCA2a mRNA tended to increase after unloading. In conclusion, unloading the failing, infarcted heart can help normalize left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac gene expression. This unloading model appears to partially mimic the conditions of hemodynamic support with an LVAD in heart failure patients and potentially offers insights into the mechanisms of functional recovery.     

Novel troponin T mutation in familial dilated cardiomyopathy with gender-dependant severity

Mutations in sarcomeric proteins can lead to either hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy depending on their effects on the structural and functional properties of the contractile unit of the heart. Mutations in cardiac troponin T, which binds the calcium-responsive troponin complex to alpha-tropomyosin, have been shown to result in cardiac hypertrophy or cardiac dilatation and heart failure, depending on the nature of the specific mutation. In this study, we report the identification of a novel cardiac troponin T mutation (A171S) leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death. In contrast to prior described mutations, the A171S mutation results in a significant gender difference in the severity of the observed phenotype with adult males (over 20 years of age) demonstrating more severe ventricular dilatation [left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) 7.1 vs. 5.1cm; P=0.01, t test] and left ventricular dysfunction [left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) 21 vs. 34%; P=0.04, t test] than adult females. The described mutation substitutes a hydrophilic amino acid for a hydrophobic one in a highly conserved domain involved in the interaction between troponin T and alpha-tropomyosin. Interestingly, four previously described mutations within 12 amino acids of A171 lead to a hypertrophic phenotype, suggesting that further characterization of the functional consequences of the A171S mutation may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of DCM and of the functional differences between HCM- and DCM-causing mutations in cardiac troponin T.     

When calcium turns arrhythmogenic: intracellular calcium handling during the development of hypertrophy and heart failure

Alterations of intracellular Ca2+ handling in hypertrophied myocardium have been proposed as a mechanism of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, which are a major cause of sudden death in patients with heart failure. In this review, alterations in intracellular Ca2+ handling and Ca2+ handling proteins in the development of myocardial hypertrophy and the transition to heart failure are discussed. The leading question is at what stage of hypertrophy or heart failure Ca2+ handling can turn arrhythmogenic. During the development of myocardial hypertrophy and the transition to failure, Ca2+ handling is progressively altered. Recordings of free myocyte Ca2+ concentrations during a cardiac cycle (Ca2+ transients) are prolonged early in the development of hypertrophy. However, resting (or diastolic) Ca2+ does not increase before end-stage heart failure has developed. These alterations are due to progressively defective Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum that seems to be caused by quantitative changes of gene expression of the Ca2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Increased expression and activity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger might compensate for this defective Ca2+ uptake, probably at the expense of increased arrhythmogenicity. When the Ca2+ handling proteins no longer efficiently counterbalance increasing intracellular Ca2+ - during stress conditions, resulting Ca2+ overload can lead to spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations, after depolarizations. Thus, after the transition to heart failure, Ca2+ overloaded sarcoplasmic reticulum, increasing resting intracellular Ca2+, and increased Na+/Ca2+ activity may all provoke afterdepolarizations, triggered activity, and finally, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. This increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure should not be treated with calcium antagonists.     

c-kit与miR-21在心衰大鼠心肌中表达下降

目的研究c-kit与miR-21基因在大鼠左室重构中的动态表达及其作用机制。方法将大鼠140只随机分为正常对照组15只和心衰模型组125只。心衰模型制作:4 mg/kg腹腔注射阿霉素。在8周时对大鼠进行心功能检测,验证心衰模型。取心脏组织冰冻切片。利用免疫组化及免疫荧光显色等技术检测心肌组织中miR-21和c-kit的基因表达。结果 1)心衰组的呈现心肌梗死后心肌细胞的病理学变化。2)在正常和心衰心肌中miR-21阳性细胞主要表达于血管内皮,少量心肌细胞和干细胞,而心衰心肌组织中的表达量明显减少;c-kit阳性细胞常成群分布,主要聚集于心外膜及其附近。在两组心肌组织中均有少数细胞存在miR-21和c-kit共表达。结论 c-kit和miR-21在心衰大鼠心肌中表达下降与心力衰竭和左室重构呈高度相关。     

Restricted N-terminal truncation of cardiac troponin T: a novel mechanism for functional adaptation to energetic crisis

The N-terminal variable region of cardiac troponin T (TnT) is a regulatory structure that can be selectively removed during myocardial ischaemia reperfusion by μ-calpain proteolysis. Here we investigated the pathophysiological significance of this post-translational modification that removes amino acids 1–71 of cardiac TnT. Working heart preparations were employed to study rat acute myocardial infarction and transgenic mouse hearts over-expressing the N-terminal truncated cardiac TnT (cTnT-ND). Ex vivo myocardial infarction by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery induced heart failure and produced cTnT-ND not only in the infarct but also in remote zones, including the right ventricular free wall, indicating a whole organ response in the absence of systemic neurohumoral mechanisms. Left ventricular pressure overload in mouse working hearts produced increased cTnT-ND in both ventricles, suggesting a role of haemodynamic stress in triggering an acute whole organ proteolytic regulation. Transgenic mouse hearts in which the endogenous intact cardiac TnT was partially replaced by cTnT-ND showed lowered contractile velocity. When afterload increased from 55 mmHg to 90 mmHg, stroke volume decreased in the wild type but not in the transgenic mouse hearts. Correspondingly, the left ventricular rapid-ejection time of the transgenic mouse hearts was significantly longer than that of wild type hearts, especially at high afterload. The restricted deletion of the N-terminal variable region of cardiac troponin T demonstrates a novel mechanism by which the thin filament regulation adapts to sustain cardiac function under stress conditions.     

Repeated inspiratory occlusions acutely impair myocardial function in rats

Repeated episodes of hypoxia and sympathetic activation during obstructive sleep apnoea are implicated in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases, but the acute effects are unknown. We hypothesized that repeated inspiratory occlusions cause acute myocardial dysfunction and injury. In 22 spontaneously breathing pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats, inspiration was occluded for 30 s every 2 min for 3 h. After ∼1.5 h, mean arterial pressure started to fall; heart rate between occlusions was stable throughout, consistent with only transient increases in sympathetic activity during each occlusion. Three hours of occlusions resulted in ventricular diastolic dysfunction (reduced peak rate of change of ventricular pressure and slower relaxation). Post-occlusions, the left ventricular contractile response to dobutamine was blunted. After 1 h of recovery, left ventricular pressure generation had returned to values no different from those in sham animals in 5 of 9 of the animals. Cardiac myofibrils from rats subjected to occlusions had depressed calcium-activated myosin ATPase activity, indicating myofilament contractile dysfunction that was not due to breakdown of contractile proteins. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained cross-sections revealed multifocal areas of necrosis within the septum and both ventricles. Repeated inspiratory occlusions, analogous to moderately severe obstructive sleep apnoea, acutely cause global cardiac dysfunction with multifocal myocardial infarcts.