Effect of pulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass in terms of radial artery sphygmogram

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a quantitative method for using radial artery pulse waveforms to assess the effect of pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).METHODS: A total of 34 adults with heart disease who underwent open-heart surgery between April2010 and January 2011 were randomized into a pulsatile perfusion group(n=17) and a non-pulsatile perfusion group(n=17). Radial arterial pulse waveforms of pulsatile and non-pulsatile perfusion patients were observed and compared before and during CPB.RESULTS: No pulse waveform could be detected at patients' radial artery in both groups when the aorta was cross-clamped. Pulse waveforms could be detected at pulsatile perfusion patients' radial artery, but could not be detected at non-pulsatile perfusion patients' radial artery during CPB. Additionally, patients' pulse waveforms during pulsatile perfusion were lower than those before the operation.CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that radial artery sphygmogram can be used as a valid indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of pulsatile perfusion during CPB.

Iridoid glycosides extracted from Zhizi(Fructus Gardeniae)decrease collagen-induced platelet aggregation and reduce carotid artery thrombosis in an invivo rat model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-platelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects in rats of iridoid glycosides extracted from Zhizi (FructusGardeniae). METHODS: The present study evaluated the antithrombotic activity of iridoid glycosides (IGs) in a rat model of carotid artery thrombosis. The effects on coagulation, such as thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and prothrombin time (PT), and the effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vivo were investigated. Rats were intragastrically administered IGs (50, 100 or 200 mg/ kg) twice daily for 3 days. RESULTS: IGs were shown for the first time to have an antithrombotic action through the inhibition of platelet aggregation, with little effect on the coagulation time of peripheral blood. Our results also showed that IGs may significantly and dose-dependently reduce arterial thrombus load in a model of carotid artery thrombosis and inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation in rats. IGs (100or 200 mg/kg) had no significant effect on APTT and PT, but did lengthenTT at a higher dose. CONCLUSION: These data, together with the previously reported neuroprotective effects of IGs in rats with cerebral ischemia, suggest that the antithrombotic action of IGs may potentially contribute to the treatment of cerebral ischemic diseases, including cerebral apoplexy.