The prolonged use of DIPY in this experimental model of CCC has reduced the rest myocardial perfusion defects, supporting the notion that those areas correspond to viable hypoperfused myocardium.

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Altered myocardial perfusion is a common finding in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), but its underlying histologic changes have not been elucidated. We investigated the occurrence of myocardial perfusion defects (MPDs) and the correlated regional changes to histology in an experimental model of CCC in hamsters. Female Syrian hamsters ( = 34) were infected with 3.5 × 10 to 10 trypomastigote forms of Y strain, and 6-10 mo afterward underwent in vivo imaging including restingTc-sestamibi SPECT, segmental and global left ventricular function assessment using 2-dimensional echocardiography, and F-FDG PET for evaluation of myocardial viability. Histologic analysis included quantification of fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and the diameter and density of myocardial microcirculation. MPDs were present in 17 (50%) of the infected animals. Histologic analysis revealed no transmural scar in segments with an MPD, and normal or mildly reduced F-FDG uptake, indicating viable myocardium. Infected animals with an MPD, in comparison to infected animals without an MPD and control animals, showed a lower left ventricular ejection fraction ( = 0.012), a higher wall motion score index ( = 0.004), and a higher extent of inflammatory infiltration ( = 0.018) but a similar extent of fibrosis ( = 0.15) and similar microvascular diameter and density ( > 0.05). Segments with an MPD ( = 65), as compared with normally perfused regions in the same animal ( = 156), showed a higher wall motion score index ( = 0.005) but a similar extent of inflammatory infiltration, a similar extent of fibrosis, and a similar microvascular diameter and density. Resting MPDs are frequent in experimental CCC and are associated with myocardial inflammation but do not designate scar tissue, corresponding to regions with metabolically viable myocardium.

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Determination of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using in vivo imaging is the cardiac functional parameter most frequently employed in preclinical research. However, there is considerable conflict regarding the effects of anesthetic agents on LVEF. This study aimed at assessing the effects of various anesthetic agents on LVEF in hamsters using transthoracic echocardiography. Twelve female hamsters were submitted to echocardiography imaging separated by 1-week intervals under the following conditions: 1) conscious animals, 2) animals anesthetized with isoflurane (inhaled ISO, 3 L/min), 3) animals anesthetized with thiopental (TP, 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and 4) animals anesthetized with 100 mg/kg ketamine plus 10 mg/kg xylazine injected intramuscularly (K/X). LVEF obtained under the effect of anesthetics (ISO=62.2±3.1%, TP=66.2±2.7% and K/X=75.8±1.6%) was significantly lower than that obtained in conscious animals (87.5±1.7%, P<0.0001). The K/X combination elicited significantly higher LVEF values compared to ISO (P<0.001) and TP (P<0.05). K/X was associated with a lower dispersion of individual LVEF values compared to the other anesthetics. Under K/X, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVdD) was increased (0.60±0.01 cm) compared to conscious animals (0.41±0.02 cm), ISO (0.51±0.02 cm), and TP (0.55±0.01 cm), P<0.0001. The heart rate observed with K/X was significantly lower than in the remaining conditions. These results indicate that the K/X combination may be the best anesthetic option for the in vivo assessment of cardiac systolic function in hamsters, being associated with a lower LVEF reduction compared to the other agents and showing values closer to those of conscious animals with a lower dispersion of results.

Objectives This study aimed to determine feasibility, reference intervals, and reproducibility of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) in adult Syrian hamsters. Background Syrian hamster is an experimental model for several heart diseases. Echocardiography allows the evaluation of structure and function with bidimensional conventional techniques and STE. However, there is no data regarding reference values for bidimensional LVEF and myocardial strain in hamsters. Methods A total of 135 female Syrian hamsters were anesthetized and studied with a small animal dedicated echocardiography system. Echocardiography measurements were obtained from M‐mode and B‐mode images. Feasibility and 95% reference intervals were obtained for LVEF using three different approaches: LVEF_Teichholz (from M‐mode linear measurements), LVEF_BMode (from area‐length method), and LVEF_ STE (from strain), and for global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial (GRS) endocardial strain. Reproducibility was assessed as intra‐class correlation coefficients. Results Feasibility of LVEF and endocardial strain was high (95% in FEVE_Teichholz, 93% in the LVEF_BMode, 84% in the LVEF_STE, 84% from PSLAX, and 80% from PSSAX). Values of LVEF_Teichholz were significantly higher than values of LVEF_BMode, and LVEF_STE‐derived methods (59.0 ± 5.8, 53.8 ± 4.7, 46.3 ± 5.7, p < 0.0001). The 95% reference intervals for GLS, GCS, and GRS were respectively −13.6(−7.5;‐20.4)%, −20.5 ± 3.1%, and + 34,7 ± 7.0%. Intra‐class correlation coefficients were 0.49 – 0.91 for LVEF measurements, 0.73 – 0.92 for STE, with better results for LVEF_Teichholz and GLS. Conclusions Evaluation of LVEF by several methods and STE parameters is feasible in hamsters. Reference intervals for LVEF and STE obtained for this experimental animal model can be applied at future research.

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Objective:To evaluate the activity of wrist extensor muscle, correlating with wrist motion during gripping after flexor tendon repair.Design:Cross-sectional clinical measurement study.Setting:Laboratory for biomechanics and rehabilitation.Subjects:A total of 11 patients submitted to rehabilitation by early passive motion of the fingers with wrist flexion position were evaluated after 8 weeks of fingers flexor tendon repair and 11 healthy volunteers, all ranging from 20 to 37 years of age.Intervention:Volunteers performed an isometric standardized gripping task.Main measures:We used electrogoniometry to analyze wrist range of motion and surface electromyography, considering 100% maximum voluntary contraction to represent the amplitude of electromyographic activity of the extensor carpi radialis and flexor digitorum superficialis.Results:Patients with flexor tendon repair showed co-activation deficit between wrist extensor (extensor carpi radialis) and flexor finger muscles (flexor digitorum superficialis) during gripping in the intermediate phase of rehabilitation, despite some recovering mobility for wrist extension (p ≤ 0.05). A moderate correlation between range of motion and extensor carpi radialis was present only for injured group (r = 0.32). Total active motion score, which represents finger active excursion, was regular or poor in 65% of cases, all with nerve repair associated.Conclusion:Wrist extensors have an important synergist role at handgrip, although some imbalance can be present after flexor tendon repair. These preliminary findings suggest that emphasis could be directed to add synergistic wrist motion in rehabilitation protocols after flexor tendon repair. Future studies with early active rehabilitation are necessary.