An initial application of transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in experimental small animal models

Cardiac impairment evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and invasive measurements in rats undergoing sinoaortic denervation

Background

Sympathetic hyperactivity may be related to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and baro- and chemoreflex impairment in hypertension. However, cardiac function, regarding the association of hypertension and baroreflex dysfunction, has not been previously evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) using intracardiac echocardiographic catheter.

Methods and Results

We evaluated exercise tests, baroreflex sensitivity and cardiovascular autonomic control, cardiac function, and biventricular invasive pressures in rats 10 weeks after sinoaortic denervation (SAD). The rats (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups: 16 Wistar (W) with (n = 8) or without SAD (n = 8) and 16 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with (n = 8) or without SAD (SHRSAD) (n = 8). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) did not change between the groups with or without SAD; however, compared to W, SHR groups had higher BP levels and BP variability was increased. Exercise testing showed that SHR had better functional capacity compared to SAD and SHRSAD. Echocardiography showed left ventricular (LV) concentric hypertrophy; segmental systolic and diastolic biventricular dysfunction; indirect signals of pulmonary arterial hypertension, mostly evident in SHRSAD. The end-diastolic right ventricular (RV) pressure increased in all groups compared to W, and the end-diastolic LV pressure increased in SHR and SHRSAD groups compared to W, and in SHRSAD compared to SAD.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that baroreflex dysfunction impairs cardiac function, and increases pulmonary artery pressure, supporting a role for baroreflex dysfunction in the pathogenesis of hypertensive cardiac disease. Moreover, TEE is a useful and feasible noninvasive technique that allows the assessment of cardiac function, particularly RV indices in this model of cardiac disease.

Cardiac magnetic resonance, transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography: a comparison of in vivo assessment of ventricular function in rats

In vivo assessment of ventricular function in rodents has largely been restricted to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). However 1.5 T cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) have emerged as possible alternatives. Yet, to date, no study has systematically assessed these three imaging modalities in determining ejection fraction (EF) in rats. Twenty rats underwent imaging four weeks after surgically-induced myocardial infarction. CMR was performed on a 1.5 T scanner, TTE was conducted using a 9.2 MHz transducer and TOE was performed with a 10 MHz intracardiac echo catheter. Correlation between the three techniques for EF determination and analysis reproducibility was assessed. Moderate-strong correlation was observed between the three modalities; the greatest between CMR and TOE (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.89), followed by TOE and TTE (ICC = 0.70) and CMR and TTE (ICC = 0.63). Intra- and inter-observer variations were excellent with CMR (ICC = 0.99 and 0.98 respectively), very good with TTE (0.90 and 0.89) and TOE (0.87 and 0.84). Each modality is a viable option for evaluating ventricular function in rats, however the high image quality and excellent reproducibility of CMR offers distinct advantages even at 1.5 T with conventional coils and software.

Effects of early, late, and long-term nonselective β-blockade on left ventricular remodeling, function, and survival in chronic organic mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Mitral regurgitation (MR) produces sympathetic nervous system activation which is detrimental in other causes of heart failure. However, whether β-blockade is beneficial in MR has not been determined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty-seven rats with significant organic MR were randomized to the β-blockade group (n=43) or the control group (n=44). Carvedilol was started in week 2 post MR induction and given for 23 to 35 weeks in the β-blockade group. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at weeks 2, 6, 12, 24, 30, and 36 after MR induction. After 23 weeks of β-blockade, heart rates were significantly reduced by carvedilol (308 ± 25 versus 351 ± 31 beats per minute; P<0.001). Left ventricular end-diastolic (2.2 ± 0.7 versus 1.59 ± 0.6 mL; P<0.001), end-systolic volumes (0.72 ± 0.42 versus 0.40 ± 0.19 mL; P<0.001), and mass index (2.40 ± 0.55 versus 2.06 ± 0.62 g/kg; P<0.001) were significantly higher, and left ventricular fraction shortening (33 ± 7% versus 38 ± 7%; P<0.001) and ejection fraction (69 ± 11% versus 75 ± 7%; P<0.001) were significantly lower in the β-blockade group than in the control group. Systolic blood pressure was lower in the β-blockade group than in the control group (114 ± 10 versus 93 ± 12 mm Hg; P<0.005). Survival probability was significantly lower in the early β-blockade group than in the control group (88% versus 96%; P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Early and long-term nonselective β-blockade was associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling, systolic dysfunction, and a reduction in survival in the experimental rat model of organic MR.

Impact of mitral regurgitation on left ventricular anatomic and molecular remodeling and systolic function: implication for outcome

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) on left ventricular (LV) anatomic and molecular remodeling and function and to determine whether early LV remodeling and function predict long-term outcome in experimental organic MR. A new rodent model of chronic MR was created. Twenty-eight rats had surgically induced MR, twelve rats had a sham operation, and twelve rats had no operation. LV diameters, volume, and mass and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV fractional shortening (LVFS) were assessed using echocardiography in the early stage of MR (6 and 12 wk after induction of MR). LV hemodynamics was assessed invasively. Cardiac alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chains and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2 (SERCA2) were measured to assess molecular remodeling and contractility. Cox's proportional hazard ratios (HR) were used to identify outcome predictors. Early LV dilation was demonstrated in rats with MR when LVEF and LVFS were still normal. LV remodeling was associated with an increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and decrease in maximal change in pressure over time. Shifting of alpha- to beta-myosin and reduced SERCA2 were observed in rats with MR. Cox's proportional hazard analysis showed that LV end-diastolic diameters (HR, 1.2-2.4; P = 0.007) and LV end-diastolic volume (HR, 1.1-1.4; P = 0.005) at 6 wk and LV mass index (HR, 1.1-2.0; P = 0.004) at 12 wk after induction of MR were significantly associated with 1-yr mortality. However, LVEF (HR, 0.7-6.8 for the 6 wk, P > 0.05; and HR, 0.4-3.2 for the 12 wk, P > 0.05) and LVFS (HR, 0.4-1.4 for the 6 wk; and 0.4-3.1 for the 12 wk, P > 0.05) did not predict late death. Chronic MR leads to LV anatomic and cellular remodeling and impaired contractility. The time course of LV remodeling and function changes in the rat model of MR is similar to humans. Prediction of outcome may be achieved by assessments of early LV remodeling.

Intracardiac echocardiography in congenital heart disease

The use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in congenital heart disease has become well established over the past 7 years since its introduction into clinical imaging. The greatest experience has been to guide percutaneous device closures of secundum atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, with excellent safety and clinical results. However, ICE has also been used for the evaluation and management of many other congenital heart defects given its unique blood/transducer interface and close proximity to relevant cardiac anatomy. Clinical application of ICE is expanding, with the current ICE catheters being used as micro-transesophageal echo probes, and three-dimensional prototypes already developed and tested in animal models. It is expected that ICE will further increase in use with refinements in technology and greater operator experience, aiding the management of complex congenital heart disease.

Use of the monoplane intracardiac imaging probe in high-risk infants during congenital heart surgery

Imaging options are limited in high-risk infants with small or abnormal oropharyngeal anatomy during congenital heart surgery.

METHODS

All cases in which the monoplane intracardiac echo probe was used for transesophageal intraoperative imaging over a 15-month period at a single institution were reviewed.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent intraoperative imaging using the intracardiac probe. Patient weight ranged from 1.96 kg to 4 kg. Adequate images of the anatomy relevant to the surgical repair were obtained in all cases. No adverse events related to probe use occurred.

CONCLUSION

Transesophageal echocardiography using the monoplane intracardiac echo probe provides safe and effective imaging in patients who are not candidates for standard transesophageal echocardiography.

Echocardiographic characterization of the cardiovascular phenotype in rodent models

Echocardiographic techniques are commonly utilized to describe the rodent cardiovascular phenotype. These approaches are contrasted with other in vivo methods and are positioned in the assay selection process by a review of studies from our laboratory and others. Although not conventionally considered a biomarker, the technique has the potential to be exploited as a marker of intentional or unanticipated toxic biological effects in the preclinical development of drugs and chemicals.