Heart Rate.

<p>Echocardiography was used to obtain heart rate for pVEGF injection only, sham and pVEGF +GET groups. A) Heart rate before myocardial infarction, after the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and 14 days post MI. B) Change in heart rate at 2 weeks when compared to pre MI baseline. C) Change in heart rate at 2 weeks when compared to post MI baseline. There were no statistically significant differences in HR between the groups.</p

Expression of pVax1-hVEGF₁₆₅.

<p>pVEGF expression was analyzed over a two week period at 48 hours, 7 days and 14 days. Peak expression was observed at 48 hours in all ischemic tissues at all parameters except 20 milliseconds; 60 V. VEGF expression was significantly greater in the 20 milliseconds; 60 V parameter 14 days after ischemia was produced.</p

Plasma troponin and creatine kinase measurements before and after occlusion of the LAD coronary artery.

<p>Plasma troponin and creatine kinase measurements before and after occlusion of the LAD coronary artery.</p

Ejection Fraction.

<p>Echocardiography was used to obtain levels of ejection fraction for pVEGF injection only, sham and pVEGF +GET groups. A) Ejection fraction levels before MI, after the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and 14 days post MI. B) Change in ejection fraction at 2 weeks when compared to pre MI baseline. C) Change in ejection fraction at 2 weeks when compared to post MI baseline. There were no statistically significant differences in EF between the groups.</p

Cardiac Output.

<p>Echocardiography was used to obtain cardiac output measurements for pVEGF injection only, sham and pVEGF +GET groups. A) Cardiac output levels before myocardial infarction, after the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and 14 days post MI. B) Change in cardiac output at 2 weeks when compared to pre MI baseline. C) Change in cardiac output at 2 weeks when compared to post MI baseline. There were no statistically significant differences in CO between the groups.</p

Sequence for administration of therapy.

<p>A) The heart was exposed as described in the <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0115235#s2" target="_blank">Methods</a> section under “surgical procedure”. B) The left anterior descending coronary artery is ligated with a permanent suture (arrow) and a SPY image is collected to visualize change in perfusion. C) Sutures are placed to designate the treatment sites. D) Sequence of treatment, applicator containing 4 electrodes and injection port is placed at the treatment site marked by suture; 100 µl of plasmid solution at a concentration of 2 mg/ml is injected; 8 pulses are administered. Procedure is repeated for the other 3 sites.</p

Intra-cardiac delivery of pVax1-hVEGF₁₆₅.

<p>The duration of intra-cardiac delivery of pVax1-hVEGF₁₆₅ was 20 milliseconds at varying voltages. Plasmid expression was significantly greater in the ischemic hearts with parameters 20 milliseconds; 20 V (p<0.03 non- ischemic versus ischemic), 20 milliseconds; 40 V (p<0.05 non- ischemic versus ischemic), and 20 milliseconds; 90 V (p<0.05 non- ischemic versus ischemic), but not with the 20 milliseconds; 60 V parameter (p<0.09 non- ischemic versus ischemic). The non-treated hearts had significantly less expression (p<0.002) than the hearts treated with injection only.</p

Fluorescent Intensity measurement using The SPY Elite Intraoperative Perfusion Assessment System.

<p>Fluorescent Intensity measurement using The SPY Elite Intraoperative Perfusion Assessment System.</p

Left ventricular end diastolic volume.

<p>Echocardiography was used to obtain left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) for pVEGF injection only, sham and pVEGF +GET groups. A) LVEDV before myocardial infarction, after the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and 14 days post MI. B) Change in LVEDV at 2 weeks when compared to pre MI baseline. C) Change in LVEDV at 2 weeks when compared to post MI baseline. There were no statistically significant differences in LVEDV between the groups.</p

Stroke volume.

<p>Echocardiography was used to obtain the stroke volume for pVEGF injection only, sham and pVEGF +GET groups. A) Stroke volume before myocardial infarction, after the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and 14 days post MI. B) Change in stroke volume at 2 weeks when compared to pre MI baseline. C) Change in stroke volume at 2 weeks when compared to post MI baseline. There were no statistically significant differences in SV between the groups.</p