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Evaluation of right heart function in a rat model using modified echocardiographic views.

ABSTRACT: Echocardiography plays a major role in assessing cardiac function in animal models. We investigated use of a modified parasternal mid right-ventricular (MRV) and right ventricle (RV) outflow (RVOT) view, in assessing RV size and function, and the suitability of advanced 2D-strain analysis. 15 WKY rats were examined using transthoracic echocardiography. The left heart was assessed using standard short and long axis views. For the right ventricle a MRV and RVOT view were used to measure RV chamber and free wall area. 2D-strain analysis was applied to both ventricles using off-line analysis. RV chamber volume was determined by injection of 2% agarose gel, and RV free wall dissected and weighed. Echocardiography measurement was correlated with necropsy findings. The RV mid-ventricular dimension (R1) was 0.42±0.07cm and the right ventricular outflow tract dimension (R2) was 0.34±0.06cm, chamber end-diastolic area measurements were 0.38±0.09cm2 and 0.29±0.08cm2 for MRV and RVOT views respectively. RVOT and MRV chamber area correlated with gel mass. Doppler RV stroke volume was 0.32±0.08ml, cardiac output (CO) 110±27 ml.min-1 and RV free wall contractility assessed using 2D-strain analysis was demonstrated. We have shown that modified MRV and RVOT views can provide detailed assessment of the RV in rodents, with 2D-strain analysis of the RV free wall potentially feasible.

SUBMITTER: Bernardo I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5663497 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Evaluation of right heart function in a rat model using modified echocardiographic views.

Bernardo Ivan I Wong James J Wlodek Mary E ME Vlahos Ross R Soeding Paul P

PloS one 20171031 10

Echocardiography plays a major role in assessing cardiac function in animal models. We investigated use of a modified parasternal mid right-ventricular (MRV) and right ventricle (RV) outflow (RVOT) view, in assessing RV size and function, and the suitability of advanced 2D-strain analysis. 15 WKY rats were examined using transthoracic echocardiography. The left heart was assessed using standard short and long axis views. For the right ventricle a MRV and RVOT view were used to measure RV chamber ...[more]

PMID: 29088272

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Project description:BackgroundIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) leads to cardiac dysfunction and adverse remodeling of the fetal heart, as well as a higher risk of postnatal cardiovascular diseases. The rat model of IUGR, via uterine artery ligation, is a popular model but its cardiac sequelae is not well investigated. Here, we performed an echocardiographic evaluation of its cardiac function to determine how well it can represent the disease in humans.MethodsUnilateral uterine artery ligation was performed at embryonic day 17 (E17) and echocardiography was performed at E19 and E20.ResultsGrowth-restricted fetuses were significantly smaller and lighter, and had an higher placenta-to-fetus weight ratio. Growth-restricted fetal hearts had reduced wall thickness-to-diameter ratio, indicating left ventricular (LV) dilatation, and they had elevated trans-mitral and trans-tricuspid E/A ratios and reduced left and right ventricular fractional shortening (FS), suggesting systolic and diastolic dysfunction. These were similar to human IUGR fetuses. However, growth-restricted rat fetuses did not demonstrate head-sparing effect, displayed a lower LV myocardial performance index, and ventricular outflow velocities were not significantly reduced, which were dissimilar to human IUGR fetuses.ConclusionsDespite the differences, our results suggest that this IUGR model has significant cardiac dysfunction, and could be a suitable model for studying IUGR cardiovascular physiology.ImpactAnimal models of IUGR are useful, but their fetal cardiac function is not well studied, and it is unclear if they can represent human IUGR fetuses. We performed an echocardiographic assessment of the heart function of a fetal rat model of IUGR, created via maternal uterine artery ligation. Similar to humans, the model displayed LV dilatation, elevated E/A ratios, and reduced FS. Different from humans, the model displayed reduced MPI, and no significant outflow velocity reduction. Despite differences with humans, this rat model still displayed cardiac dysfunction and is suitable for studying IUGR cardiovascular physiology.

Project description:BackgroundEchocardiographic follow-up after pediatric heart transplantation is important because of the lifelong risk for rejection and resultant ventricular dysfunction. Although adult studies have shown that echocardiographic measures of right ventricular function are changed after transplantation, similar results have not been reported in the pediatric population.MethodsA single-center retrospective study of echocardiograms obtained among pediatric heart transplant recipients was conducted. All echocardiograms were selected remote from transplantation, rejection, or graft vasculopathy. These criteria identified 127 patients. Right ventricular systolic function was measured using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change (FAC), and peak systolic tricuspid annular tissue velocity (S'). Results were compared with those in 380 healthy age-matched echocardiographic control subjects.ResultsTricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values in pediatric heart transplant recipients were significantly lower than in control subjects at all ages (P < .0001), with a mean Z score of -3.38. FAC and S' did not vary by age in control patients >6 months of age. FAC values in transplantation patients were significantly decreased compared with those in control subjects (P < .0001), but 83% of transplantation patients had FAC values within the control-derived normal range. S' values were also significantly lower in transplantation patients than control subjects (P < .0001).ConclusionsHeart transplantation patients have significantly decreased quantitative metrics of right ventricular function relative to healthy control subjects; longitudinal shortening (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and S') is particularly affected. FAC is relatively preserved and may be a better metric in this population. These results establish nomograms of RV function in pediatric heart transplantation patients and in normal pediatric control subjects, which may allow quantification of changes in this vulnerable population.

Dataset Information

Evaluation of right heart function in a rat model using modified echocardiographic views.

Publications

Evaluation of right heart function in a rat model using modified echocardiographic views.

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