Size distribution of embolic material produced at aortic cross-clamp manipulation

Figures & data

Figure 1. Schematic illustration of the used evaluation methods; macroscopic (left panel) and microscopic (right panel), respectively. With the macroscopic approach, the entire deposit was scanned in one view for measurement of particle count and size. With the microscopic approach, three randomly selected views were scanned and measured. The total particle output was extrapolated from the known area of the microscopic view in relation to the entire area of the deposit.

Figure 2. Logarithmically transformed particle output produced at aortic cross-clamping with subdivision into diameter intervals. Mean of Log₁₀ values with standard errors indicated (n=27).

Table I. Statistical output.

Diameter interval	>2 mm	1–2 mm	0.5–1 mm	<0.5 mm	10–100 μm	50–10 μm	<5 μm
C1 vs Baseline* (p-value)	0.760	0.053	0.022	0.002	0.011	0.006	0.006
Baseline vs Calcification scored^† (p-value)	0.603	0.804	0.351	0.226	0.185	0.371	0.665
C1 vs Calcification scored^† (p-value)	0.016	0.022	0.025	0.023	0.008	0.002	0.006

*Differences analyzed by Wilcoxon matched pairs test. ^†Spearman's test was used for correlation analyses. All correlations were of postive sign.

Figure 3. Logarithmically transformed particle numbers as a function of particle size. Mean of Log₁₀ values are presented (n=27). Standard error bars are indicated but escape detection due to small spread. Spearman's rank correlation test was applied (p<0.010).