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Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
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The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
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Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
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Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management

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Permanent Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Mice: A Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Remodelling and Heart Failure
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Cardiac atrophy after bed rest and spaceflight.

M A Perhonen1, F Franco, L D Lane

  • 1Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Texas 75231, USA.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|July 18, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Prolonged physical inactivity, like 6-week bed rest, causes cardiac atrophy, reducing left ventricular (LV) mass and wall thickness. This demonstrates the heart

Keywords:
NASA Discipline CardiopulmonaryNASA Experiment Number 284080 1/2Non-NASA Center

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Published on: October 27, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Exercise Science
  • Space Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiac muscle exhibits adaptive plasticity in response to altered loading conditions, such as exercise or hypertension.
  • The effects of prolonged physical inactivity on cardiac mass and structure in non-athletic populations remain unclear.
  • Understanding cardiac adaptation to reduced load is crucial for terrestrial and spaceflight environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of prolonged horizontal bed rest on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) mass and volume.
  • To determine if cardiac atrophy occurs due to physical inactivity and reduced myocardial workload.
  • To assess cardiac adaptation to simulated microgravity conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Horizontal bed rest protocol for sedentary men (6 and 12 weeks).
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure LV and RV mass and end-diastolic volume.
  • Control group with routine daily activities and astronauts exposed to spaceflight were also studied.

Main Results:

  • LV mass decreased by 8.0% after 6 weeks and an additional 7.6% after 12 weeks of bed rest (P < 0.005).
  • Mean LV wall thickness decreased by 4% (P = 0.01) after 6 weeks of bed rest.
  • RV mass and volume showed a trend towards decrease (P = 0.06), and LV mass decreased by 12% (P=0.07) after spaceflight.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged horizontal bed rest leads to significant cardiac atrophy, characterized by reduced LV mass and wall thickness.
  • Cardiac atrophy appears to be a physiological adaptation to reduced myocardial load and work in simulated or real microgravity.
  • These findings highlight the plasticity of cardiac muscle and its sensitivity to altered loading conditions.