Pulsatile flow

About: Pulsatile flow is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6278 publications have been published within this topic receiving 149638 citations.

Blood flow changes in permanent maxillary canines during retraction

Abstract: The influence of external load on the blood flow of permanent maxillary canine teeth was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Blood flow readings were obtained from 10 maxillary canines and compared with the contralateral teeth simultaneously. Readings were obtained from the teeth before, during, and after the application of a 50 g force (gf) which was applied using a removable appliance. The probe for LDF measurement was held in place by a splint constructed of a silicone impression material designed to allow movement of the tooth, but prevent instability of the probe. LDF demonstrated a reading from the canine teeth consistent with recordings of blood flow, i.e. the traces were similar to the pulsatile nature of pulse pressure recordings taken from the subjects' ear-lobes. After loading the effect on the canine was (1) a decrease in blood flow as measured with LDF followed by (2) an increase in flow after 32.3 minutes (SD 4.74). These changes were statistically significant (P < 0.05) using Student's t-test. The increase in blood flow was still present after 24 and 48 hours, but returned to preload values within 72 hours. In two cases it was found that the decrease in blood flow remained as long as the load was applied. The response appeared similar to reactive hyperaemia found following placement of a tourniquet. However, the response time was substantially longer for the hyperaemic phase.

Major organ function under mechanical support: comparative studies of pulsatile and nonpulsatile circulation.

Abstract: We examined a major organ function during 3 h biventricular assisted circulation after acute myocardial infarction model in the pig. In left ventricular circulation, the outflow cannula was placed in the ascending aorta and an inflow cannula through the mitral valve in the left ventricle. A pump (pulsatile group, Zeon Medical, Inc., Tokyo, Japan and nonpulsatile group, Nikkiso HPM-15, Nikkiso, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) was connected to each cannula. In right ventricular circulation, the outflow cannula was placed in the pulmonary artery and an inflow cannula in the right ventricle. The right ventricular circulation was supported by a nonpulsatile pump (Nikkiso HPM-15). The items measured were the regional blood flows of the cortex and medulla in the kidney, white matter and gray mater in brain, and liver; renal arterial flow; carotid arterial flow; portal vein flow; common hepatic arterial flow; arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR); and lactate/pyrubic acid (L/P). In the pulsatile group, the renal cortical blood flow increased, and the medulla blood flow decreased. On the other hand, in the nonpulsatile group, both regional blood flows decreased. That means that in the pulsatile assisted group intrarenal redistribution improved rather than in the nonpulsatile assisted group. In addition the liver regional blood flow, AKBR, and L/P showed significant differences between the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups. On the other hand, the white matter and gray matter regional blood flows and carotid arterial flow did not show significant differences between the groups. The results of our study indicated that pulsatile circulation produced superior circulation in the kidney and liver, and microcirculation on the cell level was superior as well in early treatment of acute heart failure.

Biosynthetic activity in heart valve leaflets in response to in vitro flow environments.

Abstract: The development of bioreactors for tissue engineered heart valves would be aided by a thorough understanding of how mechanical forces impact cells within valve leaflets. The hypothesis of the present study is that flow may influence the biosynthetic activity of aortic valve leaflet cells. Porcine leaflets were exposed to one of several conditions for 48 h, including steady or pulsatile flow in a tubular flow system at 10 or 20 l/min, and steady shear stress in a parallel plate flow system at 1, 6, or 22 dyne/cm2. Protein, glycosaminoglycan, and DNA synthesis increased during static incubation but remained at basal levels after exposure to flow. The modulation of synthetic activity was attributed to the presence of a shear stress on the leaflet surface, which may be transmitted to cells within the leaflet matrix through tensile forces. The alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SM) actin distribution observed in fresh leaflets was proportionately decreased after exposure to antibiotics and not recovered by either static incubation or exposure to flow. These results indicate that exposure to flow maintains leaflet synthetic activity near normal levels, but that the inclusion of another force, such as bending or backpressure, may be necessary to preserve alpha-SM actin immunoreactive cells.

Induction of ovulation with chronic intermittent (pulsatile) administration of Gn-RH in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea

Abstract: Summary. The physiological and pathophysiological basis of hypothalamic amenorrhoea are reviewed as well as the clinical results of chronic intermittent (pulsatile) administration of Gn-RH in the treatment of infertility. Hypothalamic amenorrhoea is considered to be the result of a deficient hypothalamic secretion of Gn-RH. By pulsatile administration of Gn-RH, which is a pre-requisite of normal pituitary gonadotrophic function, deficient endogenous Gn-RH is replaced. If an adequate dose of Gn-RH is provided, which takes into account the degree of impairment of hypothalamic function in the individual case, follicular maturation, ovulation and corpus luteum formation are achieved in nearly every treatment cycle. Although dependent also on factors other than the treated dysfunction, a high conception rate is achieved.

Pulsatile patterns in hormone secretion.

Abstract: Endocrine systems are regulated dynamically. With the development of sensitive methods for hormone measurements and high-frequency blood sampling, it has been shown in many endocrine systems that hormonal information is encoded in distinct pulses varying in frequency from minutes to hours. Focusing on pituitary hormones as an example, this review discusses the relevance of this pulsatile pattern of secretion on the regulation of endocrine systems and its implications on diagnosis and therapy o f endocrine diseases.