Leo Hirvonen

Electromechanical delay in the intact dog heart

A computer method was developed for the determination of electromechanical delay defined as the time between the onset of Q-wave and the onset of the left ventricular systolic pressure rise. It was validated for heart catheterization studies on 56 intact anaesthetized beagle dogs in 86 sessions. The mean basal value of the electromechanical delay was 22 +/- 4 msec. Heart rate, contractility, preload and afterload were changed by atrial pacing and by infusions of calcium chloride, isoproterenol, propranolol, dextran and phenylephrine. Increase of heart rate by pacing from the spontaneous rate of 90 per min to 240 per min prolonged the electromechanical delay from 21 +/- 5 to 33 +/- 14 msec (P less than 0.001). Otherwise the duration of electromechanical delay changed independently of the heart rate. If it changed, the direction of the change followed that of the pre-ejection period. Its proportion of the pre-ejection period varied from 26 to 52%. The electromechanical delay shortened when a positive inotropic effect was noticed or the presystolic fibre length increased.

Anabolic steroids alter the haemodynamic effects of endurance training on the canine left ventricle

The effects of six week, high-dose anabolic steroid treatment (methandienone, 1.5 mg/kg/day) on the changes in left vetricular function induced in dogs by endurance training were studied by a catheterization technique under anaesthesia. Pacing, isoproterenol and dextran infusions were used as loading tests (respectively). Dogs were randomized into an exercise group (EG,n=7) and an exercise-steroid group (ESG,n=7), the latter receiving anabolic steroids as well as participating in the training program. In a standardized submaximal exercise test, the heart rate of unanaesthetized dogs was lower both in the EG (p<0.001) and in the ESG (p<0.01) after the training period than before it. In the EG the resting systemic vascular resistance (SVR) before haemodynamic interventions was lower (p<0.05) and left ventricular stroke work (SW) was higher (p<0.05) after the training period than before. In the ESG, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) decreased with training and anabolic steroid treatment (p<0.05). After the training period isoproterenol increased the maximum velocity of the cardiac contractile element significantly more (p<0.05) in the EG than in the ESG. Also SW increased in the EG (29%,p<0.001), but not in the ESG (−11%, NS). Endurance training increased the left ventricular end-diastolic and stroke volumes during isoproternol infusion, but this training effect was attenuated by simultaneous anabolic steroid treatment (p<0.05 between the groups in both case). During the isoproterenol test SVR decreased less in ESG than in EG (p<0.05 between). In volume loading tests, the ESG worked on a higher level of stroke work at a given end-diastolic volume when compared to the EG (p<0.001). This was related to a higher mean aortic ejection pressure and systemic vascular resistance measured in the ESG. In conclusion, the improved cardiac performance and peripheral adaptation after endurance training are partly attenuated by the simultaneous use of anabolic steroids in dogs.

Smoking differences between university faculties in Tartu, Estonia, and Oulu, Finland, after the disruption of communism

Summary.ObjectivesTo provide information on smoking differences between university faculties.MethodsData from smoking surveys performed on 1 441 staff members and 2 308 students at the University of Tartu, Estonia, soon after the fall of communism, were analysed by faculties, using similar data from the University of Oulu, Finland (1 830 staff members, 5 947 students) for reference.ResultsWide variations in smoking were found between faculties in Tartu, the prevalence being high among male students of theology (54%) and low among staff and students in the faculties of exercise & sports sciences (<5%) and mathematics (<15%). Less variation was seen in Oulu. The medical faculty showed low smoking rates in Oulu but not in Tartu.ConclusionsHigh percentages of smokers were typical of Tartu faculties representing disciplines closely connected with the country’s transition (e. g. theology), and low percentages in faculties emphasising physical and mental performance (e. g. sports). The relatively high percentage of smokers in the Tartu medical faculty compared with that in Oulu can be interpreted as delayed diffusion of medical information beyond the former Iron Curtain.Zusammenfassung.Unterschiede im Rauchverhalten an universitären Fakultäten in Tartu, Estland, und Oulu, Finnland, nach dem Ende des KommunismusFragestellungWelche Unterschiede gibt es bezüglich des Rauchverhaltens an den universitären Fakultäten?MethodenAngaben aus Umfragen zum Rauchen, durchgeführt kurz nach Ende des Kommunismus, bei 1 441 Fakultätsangestellten und 2 308 Studierenden an der Universität Tartu, Estland, wurden nach Fakultäten analysiert und mit ähnlichen Daten der Universität Oulu, Finnland, (1 830 Fakultätsangestellte, 5 947 Studierende) die als Referenzdaten dienten, verglichen.ResultateEs wurden grosse Unterschiede nach Fakultäten an der Universität Tartu festgestellt, wobei die Prävalenz bei männlichen Studierenden der Theologie hoch war (54%) und tief bei Angestellten und Studierenden der Fakultäten für Bewegungs- und Sportwissenschaften (<5%) und Mathematik (<15%). Die Unterschiede in Oulu fielen geringer aus. Der Raucheranteil an der medizinischen Fakultät war niedrig in Oulu, jedoch nicht in Tartu.SchlussfolgerungenEin hoher Raucheranteil ist typisch für Fakultäten in Tartu, die Disziplinen repräsentieren, welche in engem Zusammenhang stehen mit dem politischen Veränderungsprozess des Landes (z. B. Theologie), ein niedriger Anteil ist dagegen typisch für Fakultäten an denen auf körperliche und psychische Leistungsfähigkeit mehr Gewicht gelegt wird (z. B. Sport). Der relativ hohe Anteil an Rauchern an der medizinischen Fakultät in Tartu im Vergleich zu jener von Oulu kann als Diffusionsverzögerung medizinischer Information jenseits des Eisernen Vorhangs interpretiert werden.Résumé.Différences de prévalence du tabagisme entre des Facultés des Universités de Tartu (Estonie) et de Oulu (Finlande) après la chute du communismeObjectifsFournir des données sur les différences de prévalence du tabagisme entre des Facultés universitaires.MéthodesDes données issues d’enquêtes sur le tabagisme menées après la chute du communisme ont été analysées par facultés: 1 441 employés et 2 308 étudiants de l’Univesité de Tartu (Estonie) ont été comparés aux 1 830 employés et 5 947 étudiants de l’Université de Oulu (Finlande) (référence).RésultatsDe grandes variations ont été identifiées entre les Facultés de Tartu: la prévalence du tabagisme était élevée chez les hommes étudiant la Théologie (54%), mais basse parmi les employés et les étudiants des Facultés des Sciences de l’activité physique & du sport (<5%) et de Mathématiques (<15%). Des variations moins importantes ont été identifiées à Oulu. Les taux de tabagisme en Faculté de Médecine étaient bas à Oulu (Finlande) mais pas à Tartu (Estonie).ConclusionsDe hauts pourcentages de fumeurs ont été identifiés dans les Facultés de Tartu (Estonie) qui abordent des disciplines en lien étroit avec la transition en cours (par ex. Théologie); par contre, ces taux étaient bas dans les Facultés qui mettent l’accent sur les performances physiques et mentales (par ex. Sports). Le pourcentage relativement important de fumeurs en Faculté de Médecine de Tartu comparé à celui de Oulu peut être expliqué par une diffusion de l’information retardée par la présence du Rideau de Fer.

Angiocardiographic volume determination of the reindeer left ventricle.

SummaryA simplified single-plane angiocardiographic method for the measurement of the left ventricular volumes in the reindeer heart has been developed, on the assumption that the left ventricle forms half a revolution ellipsoid. On the basis of a study of 30 ventricular casts the following formulae were constructed for the calculation of the left ventricular volume (VLV) in end-diastole (D) and end-systole (S):

Haemodynamic effects of precordial or carotid ultrasound application on the dog

\begin{gathered} V_{LVD} = 0.60 k^3 a^2 l - 3.9 and \hfill \\ V_{LVS} = 0.40 k^3 a^2 l - 12 \hfill \\ \end{gathered}

RENOGRAPHY IN THE FOETAL AND NEWBORN LAMB

where k=magnification factor of the x-ray system, a=cross-sectional diameter of the ventricle and l=longitudinal diameter of the ventricle.The method was tested on the casts by comparison with biplane intergration and with the single-plane ellipsoid method. In addition to this, a comparison was made in vivo by simultaneous stroke volume determination by angiocardiography and the oxygenFick, and a good agreement was observed.ZusammenfassungEs wurde eine einfache angiokardiographische Methode für die Berechnung des linken Herzkammervolumens beim Rentier entwickelt. Es wurde angenommen, daß die Ventrikelform von einem halben Rotationsellipsoid dargestellt werden kann. Für die Berechnung des enddiastolischen (VLVD) und des endsystolischen (VLVS) Volumens wurden aus den Messungen von 30 ventrikulären Abgüsse folgende Formeln abgeleitet:

Smoking and the Subjective Health Condition among Finnish Military Conscripts

\begin{gathered} V_{LVD} = 0,60 k^3 a^2 l - 3.9 \hfill \\ V_{LVS} = 0,40 k^3 a^2 l - 12 \hfill \\ k = Vergr\ddot o\beta erungsfaktor (r\ddot ontgenologisch) \hfill \\ a = kurze Ventrikelachse \hfill \\ l = lange Ventrikelachse \hfill \\ \end{gathered}