1
|
Steijns F, Tóth MI, Demolder A, Larsen LE, Desloovere J, Renard M, Raedt R, Segers P, De Backer J, Sips P. Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring and Ectopic Beat Detection in Conscious Mice. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E3867. [PMID: 32664419 PMCID: PMC7412233 DOI: 10.3390/s20143867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) is a primary diagnostic tool in patients with potential arrhythmic disorders. To study the pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmic disorders, mouse models are widely implemented. The use of a technique similar to AECG for mice is thus of great relevance. We have optimized a protocol which allows qualitative, long-term ECG data recording in conscious, freely moving mice. Automated algorithms were developed to efficiently process the large amount of data and calculate the average heart rate (HR), the mean peak-to-peak interval and heart rate variability (HRV) based on peak detection. Ectopic beats are automatically detected based on aberrant peak intervals. As we have incorporated a multiple lead configuration in our ECG set-up, the nature and origin of the suggested ectopic beats can be analyzed in detail. The protocol and analysis tools presented here are promising tools for studies which require detailed, long-term ECG characterization in mouse models with potential arrhythmic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felke Steijns
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Máté I. Tóth
- Institute Biomedical Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.I.T.); (L.E.L.); (P.S.)
| | - Anthony Demolder
- Department of Cardiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Lars E. Larsen
- Institute Biomedical Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.I.T.); (L.E.L.); (P.S.)
- 4BRAIN, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.); (R.R.)
| | - Jana Desloovere
- 4BRAIN, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.); (R.R.)
| | - Marjolijn Renard
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- 4BRAIN, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.D.); (R.R.)
| | - Patrick Segers
- Institute Biomedical Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.I.T.); (L.E.L.); (P.S.)
| | - Julie De Backer
- Department of Cardiology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.D.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Patrick Sips
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (F.S.); (M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lujan HL, Rivers JP, DiCarlo SE. A single electrical pulse within the protective zone of each cardiac cycle prevented reperfusion-induced ventricular tachycardia in conscious mice. Physiol Rep 2018; 6. [PMID: 29380958 PMCID: PMC5789730 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Early pioneering investigators discovered, in anesthetized dogs, a protective period within the cardiac cycle. The protective period was a time within the cardiac cycle when a precisely timed stimulus prevented the initiation of ventricular fibrillation caused by an earlier stimulus. Thus, in addition to the susceptible period of repolarization discussed by Wiggers and Wegria (Am. J. Physiol. 131:296, 1940; Am. J. Physiol. 128:500, 1940), there is also a nearby protective period. This report describes a protective period within the cardiac cycle of conscious mice when a precisely timed stimulus prevented the initiation of ventricular tachycardia caused by an earlier stimulus. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that this precisely timed pulse within the protective period prevents reperfusion‐induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias in conscious mice. Mice (n = 6) were prepared to record arterial blood pressure and the electrocardiogram. In addition, a vascular occluder was placed around the left main coronary artery, and stimulating electrodes were secured onto the left ventricle. A single precisely timed electrical pulse (5 msec pulse width and 2.5 V) to the left ventricle arriving 13.9 ± 1.1 msec after the R‐wave, caused ventricular tachycardia occurring 24.9 ± 0.9 msec after the R‐wave. Importantly, a second precisely timed electrical pulse arriving 18.8 ± 0.5 msec after the first stimulus blocked the induction of ventricular tachycardia caused by the earlier stimulus. On an alternate day, the susceptibility to sustained ventricular tachycardia produced by 3.5 min of occlusion and reperfusion of the coronary artery was determined in conscious mice by use of the vascular occluder. Reperfusion resulted in ventricular tachycardia in all six mice. A precisely timed pulse within the protective period prevented ventricular tachycardia in all mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Joshua P Rivers
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Stephen E DiCarlo
- Department of Physiology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lujan HL, DiCarlo SE. Fundamental hemodynamic mechanisms mediating the response to myocardial ischemia in conscious paraplegic mice: cardiac output versus peripheral resistance. Physiol Rep 2017; 5:5/6/e13214. [PMID: 28336819 PMCID: PMC5371571 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autonomic dysfunction, a relative sedentary lifestyle, a reduced muscle mass and increased adiposity leads to metabolic abnormalities that accelerate the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI). An untoward cardiac incident is related to the degree of CAD, suggesting that the occurrence of a significant cardiac event is significantly higher for individuals with SCI. Thus, understanding the fundamental hemodynamic mechanisms mediating the response to myocardial ischemia has the potential to positively impact individuals and families living with SCI. Accordingly, we systematically investigated if thoracic level 5 spinal cord transection (T5X; paraplegia) alters the arterial blood pressure response to coronary artery occlusion and if the different arterial blood pressure responses to coronary artery occlusion between intact and paraplegic mice are mediated by changes in cardiac output and or systemic peripheral resistance and whether differences in cardiac output are caused by changes in heart rate and or stroke volume. To achieve this goal, the tolerance to 3 min of coronary artery occlusion was determined in conscious intact and paraplegic mice. Paraplegic mice had an impaired ability to maintain arterial blood pressure during coronary artery occlusion as arterial pressure fell to near lethal levels by 1.38 ± 0.64 min. The lower arterial pressure was mediated by a lower cardiac output as systemic peripheral resistance was elevated in paraplegic mice. The lower cardiac output was mediated by a reduced heart rate and stroke volume. These results indicate that in paraplegic mice, the arterial pressure response to coronary artery occlusion is hemodynamically mediated primarily by cardiac output which is determined by heart rate and stroke volume.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Stephen E DiCarlo
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lujan HL, Rivers JP, DiCarlo SE. Complex and interacting influences of the autonomic nervous system on cardiac electrophysiology in conscious mice. Auton Neurosci 2016; 201:24-31. [PMID: 27594686 PMCID: PMC5108678 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mice may now be the preferred animal model for biomedical research due to its anatomical, physiological, and genetic similarity to humans. However, little is known about accentuated antagonism of chronotropic and dromotropic properties in conscious mice. Accordingly, we describe the complex and interacting influence of the autonomic nervous system on cardiac electrophysiology in conscious mice. Specifically, we report the effects of single and combined cardiac autonomic blockade on measurements of pulse interval (heart rate), atrio-ventricular interval, sinus node recovery time (SNRT), SNRT corrected for spontaneous sinus cycle, and Wenckebach cycle length in conscious mice free of the confounding influences of anesthetics and surgical trauma. Autonomic influences were quantified as the change in parameter induced by its selective blocker (Sympathetic or Parasympathetic Effect) or as the difference between the intrinsic value and the value after a selective blocker (Sympathetic or Parasympathetic Tonus). Sympatho-Vagal Balance (SVB) was assessed as the ratio of control interval to intrinsic interval. SVB suggests slight parasympathetic dominance in the control of cardiac electrophysiology intervals. Furthermore, results documents a complex interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system in the control of cardiac electrophysiology parameters. Specifically, the parasympathetic effect was greater than the parasympathetic tonus in the control of cardiac electrophysiology parameters. In contrast, the sympathetic effect was smaller than the sympathetic tonus in the control of cardiac electrophysiology parameters. Results have important implications because actions of pharmacological agents that alter the autonomic control of cardiac electrophysiology are transformed by these interacting mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, 540 E. Canfield Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Joshua P Rivers
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, 540 E. Canfield Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Stephen E DiCarlo
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, 540 E. Canfield Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kurtz TW, Lujan HL, DiCarlo SE. The 24 h pattern of arterial pressure in mice is determined mainly by heart rate-driven variation in cardiac output. Physiol Rep 2014; 2:2/11/e12223. [PMID: 25428952 PMCID: PMC4255824 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have systematically investigated whether daily patterns of arterial blood pressure over 24 h are mediated by changes in cardiac output, peripheral resistance, or both. Understanding the hemodynamic mechanisms that determine the 24 h patterns of blood pressure may lead to a better understanding of how such patterns become disturbed in hypertension and influence risk for cardiovascular events. In conscious, unrestrained C57BL/6J mice, we investigated whether the 24 h pattern of arterial blood pressure is determined by variation in cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, or both and also whether variations in cardiac output are mediated by variations in heart rate and or stroke volume. As expected, arterial pressure and locomotor activity were significantly (P < 0.05) higher during the nighttime period compared with the daytime period when mice are typically sleeping (+12.5 ± 1.0 mmHg, [13%] and +7.7 ± 1.3 activity counts, [254%], respectively). The higher arterial pressure during the nighttime period was mediated by higher cardiac output (+2.6 ± 0.3 mL/min, [26%], P < 0.05) in association with lower peripheral resistance (-1.5 ± 0.3 mmHg/mL/min, [-13%] P < 0.05). The increased cardiac output during the nighttime was mainly mediated by increased heart rate (+80.0 ± 16.5 beats/min, [18%] P < 0.05), as stroke volume increased minimally at night (+1.6 ± 0.5 μL per beat, [6%] P < 0.05). These results indicate that in C57BL/6J mice, the 24 h pattern of blood pressure is hemodynamically mediated primarily by the 24 h pattern of cardiac output which is almost entirely determined by the 24 h pattern of heart rate. These findings suggest that the differences in blood pressure between nighttime and daytime are mainly driven by differences in heart rate which are strongly correlated with differences in locomotor activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W Kurtz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Stephen E DiCarlo
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lujan HL, DiCarlo SE. Reperfusion-induced sustained ventricular tachycardia, leading to ventricular fibrillation, in chronically instrumented, intact, conscious mice. Physiol Rep 2014; 2:2/6/e12057. [PMID: 24973331 PMCID: PMC4208649 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reperfusion‐induced lethal ventricular arrhythmias are observed during relief of coronary artery spasm, with unstable angina, exercise‐induced ischemia, and silent ischemia. Accordingly, significant efforts are underway to understand the mechanisms responsible for reperfusion‐induced lethal arrhythmias and mice have become increasingly important in these efforts. However, although reperfusion‐induced sustained ventricular tachycardia leading to ventricular fibrillation (VF) has been recorded in many models, reports in mice are sparse and of limited success. Importantly, none of these studies were conducted in intact, conscious mice. Accordingly, a chronically instrumented, intact, conscious murine model of reperfusion‐induced lethal arrhythmias has the potential to be of major importance for advancing the concepts and methods that drive cardiovascular therapies. Therefore, we describe, for the first time, the use of an intact, conscious, murine model of reperfusion‐induced lethal arrhythmias. Male mice (n = 9) were instrumented to record cardiac output and the electrocardiogram. In addition, a snare was placed around the left main coronary artery. Following recovery, the susceptibility to sustained ventricular tachycardia produced by 3 min of occlusion and reperfusion of the left main coronary artery was determined in conscious mice by pulling on the snare. Reperfusion culminated in sustained ventricular tachycardia, leading to VF, in all nine conscious mice. The procedures conducted in conscious C57BL/6J mice, a strain commonly used in transgenic studies, can be utilized in genetically modified models to enhance our understanding of single gene defects on reperfusion‐induced lethal ventricular arrhythmias in intact, conscious, and complex animals. We describe, for the first time, the use of an intact, conscious, murine model of reperfusion‐induced lethal arrhythmias. This model has the potential to be of major importance for advancing the concepts and methods that drive antiarrhythmic therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, 48201, Michigan
| | - Stephen E DiCarlo
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, 48201, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lujan HL, Janbaih H, DiCarlo SE. Structural remodeling of the heart and its premotor cardioinhibitory vagal neurons following T(5) spinal cord transection. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2014; 116:1148-55. [PMID: 24610530 PMCID: PMC4097824 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01285.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Midthoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with enhanced cardiac sympathetic activity and reduced cardiac parasympathetic activity. The enhanced cardiac sympathetic activity is associated with sympathetic structural plasticity within the stellate ganglia, spinal cord segments T1-T4, and heart. However, changes to cardiac parasympathetic centers rostral to an experimental SCI are relatively unknown. Importantly, reduced vagal activity is a predictor of high mortality. Furthermore, this autonomic dysregulation promotes progressive left ventricular (LV) structural remodeling. Accordingly, we hypothesized that midthoracic spinal cord injury is associated with structural plasticity in premotor (preganglionic parasympathetic neurons) cardioinhibitory vagal neurons located within the nucleus ambiguus as well as LV structural remodeling. To test this hypothesis, dendritic arborization and morphology (cholera toxin B immunohistochemistry and Sholl analysis) of cardiac projecting premotor cardioinhibitory vagal neurons located within the nucleus ambiguus were determined in intact (sham transected) and thoracic level 5 transected (T5X) rats. In addition, LV chamber size, wall thickness, and collagen content (Masson trichrome stain and structural analysis) were determined. Midthoracic SCI was associated with structural changes within the nucleus ambiguus and heart. Specifically, following T5 spinal cord transection, there was a significant increase in cardiac parasympathetic preganglionic neuron dendritic arborization, soma area, maximum dendritic length, and number of intersections/animal. This parasympathetic structural remodeling was associated with a profound LV structural remodeling. Specifically, T5 spinal cord transection increased LV chamber area, reduced LV wall thickness, and increased collagen content. Accordingly, results document a dynamic interaction between the heart and its parasympathetic innervation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Methawasin M, Hutchinson KR, Lee EJ, Smith JE, Saripalli C, Hidalgo CG, Ottenheijm CAC, Granzier H. Experimentally increasing titin compliance in a novel mouse model attenuates the Frank-Starling mechanism but has a beneficial effect on diastole. Circulation 2014; 129:1924-36. [PMID: 24599837 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.113.005610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimentally upregulating compliant titins has been suggested as a therapeutic for lowering pathological diastolic stiffness levels. However, how increasing titin compliance impacts global cardiac function requires in-depth study. We investigate the effect of upregulating compliant titins in a novel mouse model with a genetically altered titin splicing factor; integrative approaches were used from intact cardiomyocyte mechanics to pressure-volume analysis and Doppler echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS Compliant titins were upregulated through deletion of the RNA Recognition Motif of the splicing factor RBM20 (Rbm20(ΔRRM)mice). A genome-wide exon expression analysis and a candidate approach revealed that the phenotype is likely to be dominated by greatly increased lengths of titin's spring elements. At both cardiomyocyte and left ventricular chamber levels, diastolic stiffness was reduced in heterozygous (+/-) Rbm20(ΔRRM)mice with a further reduction in homozygous (-/-) mice at only the intact myocyte level. Fibrosis was present in only -/- Rbm20(ΔRRM) hearts. The Frank-Starling Mechanism was reduced in a graded fashion in Rbm20(ΔRRM) mice, at both the cardiomyocyte and left ventricular chamber levels. Exercise tests revealed an increase in exercise capacity in +/- mice. CONCLUSIONS Titin is not only important in diastolic but also in systolic cardiac function. Upregulating compliant titins reduces diastolic chamber stiffness owing to the increased compliance of myocytes, but it depresses end-systolic elastance; under conditions of exercise, the beneficial effects on diastolic function dominate. Therapeutic manipulation of the RBM20-based splicing system might be able to minimize effects on fibrosis and systolic function while improving the diastolic function in patients with heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Methawasin
- Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, Departments of Physiology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (M.M., K.R.H., E.-J.L., J.E.S., C.S., C.G.H., C.A.C.O., H.G.); and Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (C.A.C.O.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lujan HL, DiCarlo SE. Cardiac electrophysiology and the susceptibility to sustained ventricular tachycardia in intact, conscious mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2014; 306:H1213-21. [PMID: 24561859 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00780.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac electrophysiological dysfunction is a major cause of death in humans. Accordingly, electrophysiological testing is routinely performed in intact, conscious, humans to evaluate arrhythmias and disorders of cardiac conduction. However, to date, in vivo electrophysiological studies in mice are limited to anesthetized open-chest or closed-chest preparations. However, cardiac electrophysiology in anesthetized mice or mice with surgical trauma may not adequately represent what occurs in conscious mice. Accordingly, an intact, conscious murine model of cardiac electrophysiology has the potential to be of major importance for advancing the concepts and methods that drive cardiovascular therapies. Therefore, we describe, for the first time, the use of an intact, conscious, murine model of cardiac electrophysiology. The conscious mouse model permits measurements of atrioventricular interval, sinus cycle length, sinus node recovery time (SNRT), SNRT corrected for spontaneous sinus cycle, Wenckebach cycle length, the ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) and the electrical stimulation threshold to induce sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in an intact, complex model free of the confounding influences of anesthetics and surgical trauma. This is an important consideration because anesthesia and surgical trauma markedly reduced cardiac output and heart rate as well as altered cardiac electrophysiology parameters. Most importantly, anesthesia and surgical trauma significantly increased the VERP and virtually eliminated the ability to induce sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Accordingly, the methodology allows for the accurate documentation of cardiac electrophysiology in complex, conscious mice and may be adopted for advancing the concepts and ideas that drive cardiovascular research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lujan HL, DiCarlo SE. Cardiac output, at rest and during exercise, before and during myocardial ischemia, reperfusion, and infarction in conscious mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2013; 304:R286-95. [PMID: 23302959 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00517.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Multiple systems and regulatory strategies interact to control cardiac homeostasis. In fact, regulated systems, feedback controls, and redundant control mechanisms dominate in whole animals. Accordingly, molecular and cellular tools and techniques must be utilized in complex models with multiple systems and regulatory strategies to fully appreciate the physiological context. Currently, these techniques are mainly performed under conditions remote from the normal in vivo condition; thus, the extrapolation of molecular changes to the in vivo situation and the facilitation of translational aspect of the findings are limited. A major obstacle has been the reliance on preparations that do not mimic the clinical or physiological situation. This is particularly true regarding measurements of cardiac function in mice. To address these concerns, we used a permanently implanted Doppler ultrasonic flow probe on the ascending aorta and coronary artery occluder for repeated measurements of ascending aortic blood flow (cardiac output) in conscious mice, at rest and during exercise, before and during coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion and infarction. The conscious mouse model permits detailed monitoring of within-animal changes in cardiac function during myocardial ischemia, reperfusion, and infarction in an intact, complex model free of the confounding influences of anesthetics, surgical trauma, and restraint stress. Results from this study suggest that previous protocols may have overestimated resting baseline values and underestimated cardiac output reserve. Using these procedures in currently available spontaneous or engineered mouse mutants has the potential to be of major importance for advancing the concepts and methods that drive cardiovascular research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi L Lujan
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|