Artificial organs
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To investigate the alterations of mechanical properties in pre- (A) and post- (B) stenotic aortic regions after an experimentally induced stenosis in the descending thoracic aorta. ⋯ A nonhemodynamically significant experimental stenosis located at the level of the descending thoracic aorta induced reverse blood flow before and after the stenosis. The higher the reverse flow, the more collagen fibers were produced and the stiffer the aortic wall. Since hypercholesterolemia can be ruled out as a hardening factor in the present study, disturbed flow seems to be an independent factor which activates fibroblasts to overproduce collagen and to eventually reduce the aorta's compliance.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of a new heparin-coated dense membrane lung with nonheparin-coated dense membrane lung for prolonged extracorporeal lung assist in goats.
Thrombosis and bleeding are major complications in cases of prolonged extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) with an artificial-membrane lung. Antithrombogenic treatment of the artificial-membrane oxygenator and circuits is indispensable for safe ECLA. The efficacy of a new heparin-coated membrane lung with minimal systemic heparinization was evaluated for 7 days and compared with a nonheparin-coated membrane lung in goats. ⋯ There was no plasma leakage from the artificial lung. Although several clots were observed in the stagnant areas of the artificial lung, they did not lead to deterioration of the function of the artificial lung. The excellent antithrombogenicity, gas exchange ability, and durability of this new artificial lung with circuits might contribute to successful prolonged ECLA with minimal systemic heparinization.