Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2005 Jul-Aug;20(4):332-6.
doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2005.2004105.x.

Left ventricular unloading with an assist device results in receptor relocalization as well as increased beta-adrenergic receptor numbers: are these changes indications for outcome?

Roger J Bick  1 , Alina M Grigore, Brian J Poindexter, Pippa M Schnee, Nancy A Nussmeier, Igor D Gregoric, Nyma A Shah, Timothy J Myers, L Maximilian Buja, O Howard Frazier
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Left ventricular unloading with an assist device results in receptor relocalization as well as increased beta-adrenergic receptor numbers: are these changes indications for outcome?

Roger J Bick et al. J Card Surg. 2005 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: The use of left ventricular (LV) assist devices (LVADs) can improve performance and recovery of failing human hearts.

Aim: Following our alpha-adrenergic receptor work, we hypothesized that mechanical unloading in patients with low output syndrome and LV failure would yield similar results with beta-adrenergic receptors ((beta)AR), that being increased numbers and intra-myocytic relocalization.

Methods: (beta)AR density and localization were investigated by fluorescence deconvolution microscopy and compared at LVAD insertion and removal in 13 heart failure patients, the patients therefore acting as their own control. (beta)AR densities and distribution were determined in snap frozen sections of human core biopsy left ventricular apical tissue. Samples were probed with tagged CGP 12177 for visualization of (beta)AR and challenged with cold agonists and antagonists. (beta)AR density was measured by two independent methods. Localization of receptors was examined in reconstructed, deconvoluted, stacked section images.

Results: There was an increase in (beta)AR density following ventricular unloading in most of the patients, and also significant normalization in the location of the receptors in the myocardium comparing pre- and post-LVAD tissue.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that supporting an ailing heart via unloading initiates mechanisms and pathways responsible for myocardial recovery and repair. With appropriate pharmacological support, patients with LVAD might recover to the point where they no longer depend on eventual organ transplantation, and (beta)AR number, type, and distribution in pre-LVAD myocardial tissue, could predict outcome with regard to recovery, repair, and improvement in cardiac function.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources