Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are two commonly used imaging modalities for evaluating the size and function of the heart. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with both modalities when examining the right ventricle (RV). The RV is positioned partly behind the sternum and lung, sometimes causing shadows in the TTE images. This along with the complex shape of the RV makes volume calculations challenging by 2D TTE. CMR is considered to be the reference method for volume calculations of the ventricles. The valve separating the RV from the right atrium is however often oblique compared to the valve separating the left ventricle from the left atrium. This complicates RV volume calculations using conventional CMR short-axis stack images. The aim of this thesis was to find ways to improve the RV stroke volume and ejection fraction calculations using TTE and CMR. A method, transferring the position of the tricuspid plane from RV long-axis images to short-axis images, was developed to improve the separation of the right atrium from the RV when calculating RV stroke volumes by CMR. The method provided calculations of RV stroke volumes with good agreement to reference volumes. Further, the movements contributing to the RV stroke volume was studied aiming to find new ways of calculating RV stroke volumes and ejection fraction by TTE. A model for RV stroke volume and ejection fraction calculations was evaluated showing underestimation of stroke volumes by TTE compared to CMR, which probably depend on differences in distance measurements using the two modalities. The model provided, however, promising results for ejection fraction calculations which was validated in a study of 37 participants that covered a wide range of EF.

Background: In the past 37 years, increased efforts have been directed toward a better understanding of the importance of Hcy in disease and it has now become clear that hyperhomocysteinemia is a major independent risk factor for CVD. Extensive research on the influence of vitamin supplementation leading to reductions in Hcy levels and improvements in cardiovascular function has been done. The importance of exercise in the lowering of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as its favourable influence on cardiovascular function has also been indicated in several studies, however, the limited number of studies investigating the effect of exercise on Hcy concentrations revealed contradicting results. Furthermore, a relationship between Hcy concentration and cardiovascular function with the intervention of an exercise training and a vitamin supplementation programme respectively has also not been investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week exercise training and a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention respectively on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function, and whether the change in tHcy concentration within the different interventions correlated with the change in cardiovascular function. Methods: In a randomised controlled cross-over intervention study, 52 men matched for age, cardiorespiratory fitness levels and cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (Group A = exercise training programme, 20-30min. at 70-80% of HRmax; Group B = 400 g folic acid and 25 g vitamin B12 supplement; Group C = control). Group A and B were crossed over for phase 11, and Group C remained the control. The questionnaires were completed, and the body composition variables (BMI, WHR and body fat percentage), cardiovascular function (Finometer), tHcy concentrations and VO2max, were measured before and after each 12-week intervention period. A 6-week washout period separated the crossovers. Results: The ANCOVA, adjusted for age and BMI, showed that the percentage change from baseline to end, corrected for baseline of the tHcy concentration increased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 9.7% with the exercise training intervention and decreased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 12.9%, with the vitamin supplementation intervention. The ANCOVA of the percentage change from baseline to end in cardiovascular function showed that the vitamin supplementation intervention resulted in improvements in cardiovascular function (decreased resting MAP, TPR and increased resting SV, CO, Cw) in comparison to the impairment in cardiovascular function with the exercise training intervention (increased resting DBP, MAP and TPR). The relationship between the tHcy concentration and cardiovascular function at baseline and within each of the different interventions were assessed by partial correlations adjusted for age, BMI and VO2max. Significant (p ≤ .05) relationships only occurred within the vitamin supplementation intervention, where decreased percentage change in tHcy concentration significantly correlated with increased percentage change of resting SV and CO and decreased percentage change of resting TPR. Conclusion: The general conclusion that can be drawn is that a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention showed increased health related results, e.g. a significant reduction in tHcy concentration, an improvement in cardiovascular function and a significant positive relationship between these b o factors, in comparison to the 12-week exercise training intervention that significantly increased the tHcy concentration and did not show increased health related results. Due to inadequate compliance to the exercise training intervention, no conclusion can be drawn with regard to the effect of exercise training on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Das Herzzeitvolumen ist ein wichtiger Parameter zur Beurteilung der Hämodynamik. Trotz des Bedarfs umfangreichen Monitorings in der heutigen Hochleistungsmedizin hat sich bisher keine Methode etablieren können, die diese Größe zuverlässig auf kontinuierlicher Basis bestimmt. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht in einem Großtierhämodynamikmodell am Schwein die Möglichkeit, durch Verrechnungen des rechtsventrikulären Druckes (RVP) das korrespondierende Schlagvolumen (SV) zu bestimmen und dadurch eine neue Methode zur kontinuierlichen Schlagvolumen- respektive Herzzeitvolumenbestimmung zu entwickeln. Dazu wurden bei insgesamt 16 Tieren in einem computergestützten Meßsystem kontinuierlich neben anderen wesentlichen Fluß- und Druckparametern der RVP mittels piezoresistiver Druckmessung und das SV mittel Ultraschall-Transit-Time bestimmt. Schlagvolumenvariationen wurden durch akute Änderungen der kardialen Vor- und Nachlast sowie unter Bedingungen der Koronarischämie erreicht. So wurden die Atmungsparameter variiert, die Tiere atrial und ventrikulär frequenzmoduliert, sowie unter Applikation von Dobutamin untersucht. In einer Modifikation der Pulskonturmethode wurde die Fläche unter der RVP-Kurve während der Austreibungsphase als Schlagvolumen bestimmt (SVRVP). Diese Fläche wird von der Geraden mit den Schnittpunkten des RVP zu den Zeitpunkten des Maximums und des Minimums seiner ersten Ableitung (dP/dt) begrenzt. Die errechneten Werte für SVRVP wurden zu den per Ultraschall bestimmten SV-Werten in Korrelation gesetzt. Die Regressionsanalysen zwischen SVRVP und SV zeigten einen engen linearen Zusammenhang zwischen beiden Größen bei geringen Standardfehlern. Dies traf für alle Interventionen - jeweils für sich und im Zusammenhang - gleichermaßen zu. Somit erscheint durch die aufgezeigte Verrechnung des RVP eine kontinuierliche Herzzeitvolumenmessung möglich. Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieses einfach anzuwendenden Verfahrens ergeben sich im Monitoring auf Intensivstationen sowie im perioperativen Bereich. In erster Linie aber eröffnen sich neue Wege in der ambulanten Diagnostik und Therapieüberwachung von Patienten mit chronischer Herzinsuffizienz. / Cardiac output is an important parameter of haemodynamics. Despite the need for extensive monitoring in todays hightech medicine a method that can detect this parameter reliably on a continous basis has not yet emerged. We tried to develop a new method on a haemodynamic pig model, to continously calculate the corresponding stroke volume (SV) from the right ventricular pressure curve (RVP) on the basis of the pulse contour method. Sixteen pigs were examined. RVP and SV, among other flow and pressure parameters, were continously monitored on a computer-based-system. RVP was measured by piezo-resistive pressure monitoring, SV was determined by the ultrasound-transit-time method. Variations of stroke volume were achieved by altering pre- and afterload and by inducing myocardial ischemia. The pigs were examined under varying parameters of respiration, atrial and ventricular stimulation, and application of dobutamine. In a modification of the pulse contour method the area under the RVP-curve during the ejection period was determined as stroke volume (SV_RVP). This area is limited by the straight line intersecting the RVP at the time of the maximum and minimum of its first derivative (dP/dt). The calculated data for SVRVP was correlated to the SV determined via the ultrasound-transit-time-method. The regression analysis of SV and SVRVP showed a close and linear relationship between the two parameters with a small standard error. This was true for all interventions. It is therefore possible to monitor cardiac output continously with the variation of the pulse contour method used here. This technique with little invasion may be used for monitoring on intensive care units and for the perioperative care. First of all it opens new ways in ambulatory diagnosis and optimizing medical therapy of patients with congestive heart failure.

Introdução: Diversos estudos mostraram que maximizar (ou aumentar até se alcançar um platô) o volume sistólico com infusão de fluidos durante uma cirurgia de alto risco pode melhorar o resultado pós-operatório. Este objetivo pode ser atingido simplesmente minimizando-se a variação da pressão arterial (PP) induzida por ventilação mecânica. Testou-se esta hipótese em um único e potencial centro de estudo aleatório. O objetivo principal foi a análise da duração de permanência hospitalar pós-operatória. Métodos: Trinta e três pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de alto risco foram randomizados em grupo controle (Grupo C, n = 16) e grupo intervenção (Grupo I, n = 17). No grupo I, o PP foi continuamente monitorizado durante a cirurgia por um dispositivo automático (DX 2020, Dixtal, São Paulo, Brasil) e minimizado até 10% da variação com infusão adicional de fluidos. Resultados: No período pré-operatório, os Grupos C e I foram comparados com base nos dados demográficos, classificação da American Society of Anesthesiologists (classificação ASA) - Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologistas, tipo e duração da cirurgia. Durante a cirurgia, o Grupo I recebeu mais fluido que o Grupo C (4618 ± 1557 vs 1694 ± 705 ml, p<0,0001), e o PP diminuiu de 22 ± 7 para 9 ± 1% (p < 0,05) no Grupo I. A duração média da permanência hospitalar pós-operatória (7 vs 17 dias, p<0,01) foi menor no Grupo I que no Grupo C. O número de complicações pós-operatória por paciente (1,4 ± 2,1 vs 3,9 ± 2,8, p<0,05), bem como a duração média da ventilação mecânica (1 vs 5 dias, p<0,05) e estadia na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) (3 vs 9 dias, p<0,01) também foram mais baixas no Grupo I. Conclusão: Monitorar e minimizar a variação do PP com infusão de fluidos durante cirurgias de alto risco melhorou o resultado pós-operatório e diminuiu a duração da permanência hospitalar. Registro do Estudo: NCT00479011 / Background: Several studies have shown that maximizing (or increasing until reaching a plateau) stroke volume by volume loading during high-risk surgery may improve postoperative outcome. This goal could be achieved simply by minimizing arterial pulse pressure variation (PP) induced by mechanical ventilation. We tested this hypothesis in a prospective, randomised, single centre study. The primary endpoint was the length of postoperative hospital stay. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing high-risk surgery were randomized either to a control group (group C, n = 16) or to an intervention group (group I, n = 17). In group I, PP was continuously monitored during surgery by an automatic device (DX 2020, Dixtal, and Sao Paulo, Brazil) and minimized to 10% by volume loading. Results: Pre-operatively, group C and group I were comparable in terms of demographic data, ASA score, type, and duration of surgery. During surgery, group I received more fluid than group C (4618 ± 1557 vs 1694 ± 705 ml, p<0.0001), and PP decreased from 22 ± 7 to 9 ± 1% (p < 0.05) in group I. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay (7 vs 17 days, p<0.01) was lower in group I than in group C. The number of post-operative complications per patient (1.4 ± 2.1 vs 3.9 ± 2.8, p<0.05), as well as the median duration of mechanical ventilation (1 vs 5 days, p<0.05) and ICU stay (3 vs 9 days, p<0.01) was also lower in group I. Conclusion: Monitoring and minimizing PP by volume loading during high-risk surgery improves post-operative outcome and decreases length of hospital. Trial registration: NCT00479011

Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Background: In the past 37 years, increased efforts have been directed toward a better understanding of the importance of Hcy in disease and it has now become clear that hyperhomocysteinemia is a major independent risk factor for CVD. Extensive research on the influence of vitamin supplementation leading to reductions in Hcy levels and improvements in cardiovascular function has been done. The importance of exercise in the lowering of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as its favourable influence on cardiovascular function has also been indicated in several studies, however, the limited number of studies investigating the effect of exercise on Hcy concentrations revealed contradicting results. Furthermore, a relationship between Hcy concentration and cardiovascular function with the intervention of an exercise training and a vitamin supplementation programme respectively has also not been investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week exercise training and a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention respectively on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function, and whether the change in tHcy concentration within the different interventions correlated with the change in cardiovascular function. Methods: In a randomised controlled cross-over intervention study, 52 men matched for age, cardiorespiratory fitness levels and cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (Group A = exercise training programme, 20-30min. at 70-80% of HRmax; Group B = 400 g folic acid and 25 g vitamin B12 supplement; Group C = control). Group A and B were crossed over for phase 11, and Group C remained the control. The questionnaires were completed, and the body composition variables (BMI, WHR and body fat percentage), cardiovascular function (Finometer), tHcy concentrations and VO2max, were measured before and after each 12-week intervention period. A 6-week washout period separated the crossovers. Results: The ANCOVA, adjusted for age and BMI, showed that the percentage change from baseline to end, corrected for baseline of the tHcy concentration increased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 9.7% with the exercise training intervention and decreased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 12.9%, with the vitamin supplementation intervention. The ANCOVA of the percentage change from baseline to end in cardiovascular function showed that the vitamin supplementation intervention resulted in improvements in cardiovascular function (decreased resting MAP, TPR and increased resting SV, CO, Cw) in comparison to the impairment in cardiovascular function with the exercise training intervention (increased resting DBP, MAP and TPR). The relationship between the tHcy concentration and cardiovascular function at baseline and within each of the different interventions were assessed by partial correlations adjusted for age, BMI and VO2max. Significant (p ≤ .05) relationships only occurred within the vitamin supplementation intervention, where decreased percentage change in tHcy concentration significantly correlated with increased percentage change of resting SV and CO and decreased percentage change of resting TPR. Conclusion: The general conclusion that can be drawn is that a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention showed increased health related results, e.g. a significant reduction in tHcy concentration, an improvement in cardiovascular function and a significant positive relationship between these b o factors, in comparison to the 12-week exercise training intervention that significantly increased the tHcy concentration and did not show increased health related results. Due to inadequate compliance to the exercise training intervention, no conclusion can be drawn with regard to the effect of exercise training on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2004.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Introdução: Diversos estudos mostraram que maximizar (ou aumentar até se alcançar um platô) o volume sistólico com infusão de fluidos durante uma cirurgia de alto risco pode melhorar o resultado pós-operatório. Este objetivo pode ser atingido simplesmente minimizando-se a variação da pressão arterial (PP) induzida por ventilação mecânica. Testou-se esta hipótese em um único e potencial centro de estudo aleatório. O objetivo principal foi a análise da duração de permanência hospitalar pós-operatória. Métodos: Trinta e três pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de alto risco foram randomizados em grupo controle (Grupo C, n = 16) e grupo intervenção (Grupo I, n = 17). No grupo I, o PP foi continuamente monitorizado durante a cirurgia por um dispositivo automático (DX 2020, Dixtal, São Paulo, Brasil) e minimizado até 10% da variação com infusão adicional de fluidos. Resultados: No período pré-operatório, os Grupos C e I foram comparados com base nos dados demográficos, classificação da American Society of Anesthesiologists (classificação ASA) - Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologistas, tipo e duração da cirurgia. Durante a cirurgia, o Grupo I recebeu mais fluido que o Grupo C (4618 ± 1557 vs 1694 ± 705 ml, p<0,0001), e o PP diminuiu de 22 ± 7 para 9 ± 1% (p < 0,05) no Grupo I. A duração média da permanência hospitalar pós-operatória (7 vs 17 dias, p<0,01) foi menor no Grupo I que no Grupo C. O número de complicações pós-operatória por paciente (1,4 ± 2,1 vs 3,9 ± 2,8, p<0,05), bem como a duração média da ventilação mecânica (1 vs 5 dias, p<0,05) e estadia na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) (3 vs 9 dias, p<0,01) também foram mais baixas no Grupo I. Conclusão: Monitorar e minimizar a variação do PP com infusão de fluidos durante cirurgias de alto risco melhorou o resultado pós-operatório e diminuiu a duração da permanência hospitalar. Registro do Estudo: NCT00479011 / Background: Several studies have shown that maximizing (or increasing until reaching a plateau) stroke volume by volume loading during high-risk surgery may improve postoperative outcome. This goal could be achieved simply by minimizing arterial pulse pressure variation (PP) induced by mechanical ventilation. We tested this hypothesis in a prospective, randomised, single centre study. The primary endpoint was the length of postoperative hospital stay. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing high-risk surgery were randomized either to a control group (group C, n = 16) or to an intervention group (group I, n = 17). In group I, PP was continuously monitored during surgery by an automatic device (DX 2020, Dixtal, and Sao Paulo, Brazil) and minimized to 10% by volume loading. Results: Pre-operatively, group C and group I were comparable in terms of demographic data, ASA score, type, and duration of surgery. During surgery, group I received more fluid than group C (4618 ± 1557 vs 1694 ± 705 ml, p<0.0001), and PP decreased from 22 ± 7 to 9 ± 1% (p < 0.05) in group I. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay (7 vs 17 days, p<0.01) was lower in group I than in group C. The number of post-operative complications per patient (1.4 ± 2.1 vs 3.9 ± 2.8, p<0.05), as well as the median duration of mechanical ventilation (1 vs 5 days, p<0.05) and ICU stay (3 vs 9 days, p<0.01) was also lower in group I. Conclusion: Monitoring and minimizing PP by volume loading during high-risk surgery improves post-operative outcome and decreases length of hospital. Trial registration: NCT00479011

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá vytvořením modelu signálu impedančního měření srdce (ICG signál). Impedanční kardiografie podává informaci o změně srdečního objemu během srdečního cyklu. Modelování signálu předchází statistická analýza vzájemné pozice ICG signálu vzhledem k dalším mechanickým srdečním signálům. Konstrukce modelu vychází z reálných nasnímaných signálů. Konečný ICG model je začleněn do již existujícího modelu mechanických interakcí mezi srdcem a plícemi. Výsledkem je funkční model kardio-respiračních interakcí, který bude sloužit v dalších částech výzkumu laboratoře PRETA.