Pirooz Eghtesady, M.D.
Children's Hospital, Cincinnati

Role of Nitric Oxide in the Increased Placental Vascular Resistance following Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Amount Awarded in 2005 - $36,479
Amount Awarded in 2006 - $36,479

Dr. Eghtesady and colleagues plan to provide critical and necessary data to help better understand why placental dysfunction develops during cardiopulmonary bypass. Nitric oxide is thought to be involved in placental dysfunction during fetal cardiopulmonary bypass but how this occurs is unknown. The objective of this proposal is to study and find out how nitric oxide might be involved in developing poor placental function during fetal cardiopulmonary bypass. Using pregnant sheep, the investigators propose to study cardiovascular changes in the fetus and placenta during simulated fetal open heart surgery. Simultaneously, the investigators will analyze blood and tissue samples collected during surgery looking for changes in nitric oxide and it's partners.