About this Research Topic

Background

Cardiac performance is usually separated into two main concepts. First works with the non-stressed (load-dependent), while the other with stressed blood load (load-independent) cardiac contractility. In this example the word “contractility/inotropy” describes Frank Starling (F-S) law, the concept of hemodynamic load influencing overall muscle activity (impacted by preload, afterload, and HR), rather than in terms of cardiac cycle or cellular or molecular activity such as rates of its excitation-contraction coupling. In current pre-clinical literature, there is a lack of commonly accepted methodology of how to perform measurements of load-independent hemodynamics yielding indices of cardiac function.

There are a variety of methods that individual investigators are using to perform temporary preload reduction(s), however these might or might not be fully described in detail in the current literature. From an even broader perspective, background knowledge of the initial vascular intervention could be very interesting to outline e.g., from a historical approach as a transitory maneuver, accompanied by approaches using cardiac denervation techniques, approaches attempting to stress pre-load using an inferior vs. superior vena cava, performing temporary afterload occlusion or other techniques that enable the collection of functional data or indices of cardiac contractility.

This Research Topic will explore advanced invasive hemodynamic pressure-volume maneuvers used to obtain load-independent measurements of cardiac function. Additionally, the Topic Editors encourage manuscripts which explore how to improve the methodology used to obtain these load-independent values (strategic and tactical), while discussing pro and cons of given methodology.

Sub-themes for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
1) Historical background of the manoeuvres used to obtain load-independent functional measurements of cardiac contractility by using pressure-volume technology (physiological perspectives).
2) Load-independent functional measurements of cardiac contractility discussing the validity of techniques and reliability (repeatability and accuracy). This could be from a historical perspective or by comparing other measurements or combinations of measurements.
3) Most commonly used “contemporary technique” or intervention in the pre-clinical pressure volume hemodynamic research accompanied by the methodology. In this case, technique could include preload or afterload or other manoeuvre used to obtain desired parameters of cardiac contractility. Discussion should include validity of techniques used and reliability (repeatability and accuracy).
4) Novel and emerging techniques or improvement and validation of current manoeuvres.

Keywords: Pressure-Volume, Load independent indices, temporary preload reduction

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