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Isolated left ventricular myocyte contractility in patients undergoing cardiac operations
R B New1, J L Zellner, L Hebbar
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|September 10, 1998
Summary
Researchers developed a method to isolate human left ventricular myocytes from small heart biopsy samples. These isolated myocytes showed stable contractile function and responded well to stimulation, enabling further study of heart muscle performance.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cellular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Evaluating isolated human left ventricular myocyte contractile function is challenging due to isolation method limitations.
- Previous studies have been restricted in assessing normal human left ventricular myocyte contractility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for isolating human left ventricular myocytes from small myocardial biopsy specimens.
- To characterize the contractile performance of these isolated human left ventricular myocytes.
Main Methods:
- Myocardial biopsy specimens were obtained from 22 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operations.
- Left ventricular myocytes were isolated using enzymatic digestion and micro-trituration.
- Contractile function was assessed using high-speed videomicroscopy under basal and stimulated (isoproterenol) conditions.
Main Results:
- Successfully isolated and examined 804 viable human left ventricular myocytes (average 37 per patient).
- Myocytes exhibited homogeneous contraction (3.7% shortening, 51.3 µm/s shortening velocity) at 1 Hz.
- Isoproterenol significantly increased percent shortening (149%) and shortening velocity (118%) (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- A high yield of viable human left ventricular myocytes can be obtained from cardiac surgery biopsy specimens.
- Isolated myocytes demonstrate stable contractile function and responsiveness to inotropic stimuli.
- This method facilitates future research into factors influencing human left ventricular myocyte contractility.