In this paper, we present the results of non-invasive blood glycaemia measurements. The blood used in the measurements was calf blood. The measurement method uses an electromagnetic sensor based on eddy currents, which allows the detection of blood glycaemia levels through the variation of the dielectric parameters of the blood. A change in blood glucose concentration causes a variation in the dielectric parameters, in particular conductivity. Detection is only possible at a resonant frequency. The measurements were taken in a static and dynamic state (with and without circulation of blood). The blood is inside a plastic tube placed within the sensor and is surrounded by gelatine, which simulates muscular tissue. The plastic tube simulates the vein where blood circulation occurs. The in vitro results in both cases (static and dynamic) are provided. Under unfavourable conditions we can detect a change of +/- 2 g/l of glucose. We present and discuss these results.

We measured the collateral formation between skeletal muscle and the heart after a latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty in an animal model that contained normal, chronic ischemic, and infarcted myocardium. The area at risk for ischemia was 27.0 +/- 3.2% of the left ventricular mass (n = 10, mean +/- SE). In five animals the risk area developed predominantly into chronic ischemic myocardium; in five others the risk area became an infarct. The collateral blood flow from the skeletal muscle to chronic ischemic myocardium (6.05 +/- 1.36 ml/100 g/min, n = 5) was higher than flow to the infarct (0.46 +/- 0.31 ml/100 g/min, n = 5). The collateral blood flow to normal myocardium was minimal (0.04 +/- 0.01 ml/100 g/min). The collateral blood flow appeared to be concentrated in the outer half of the left ventricular wall, with the epicardium having a higher skeletal muscle derived collateral blood flow than endocardium (p < 0.05). We conclude that after a cardiomyoplasty a collateral blood flow, which approaches clinical significance, is preferentially established between skeletal muscle and chronic ischemic myocardium. Enhancement of this collateral blood flow might provide a means to revascularize patients with presently inoperable coronary disease.

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