New and simplified method for multiple left ventricle catheterizations in small animals
Francesco Migneco 1*,
Yen-Chih Huang 1,
Garrett N. Coyan 1,
Ravi K. Birla 1
1 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: fmigneco{at}umich.edu.
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Abstract |
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Ventricular catheterization in the rat is a widely deployed procedure. Current options allow a one-time catheterization procedure, introducing an error due to the inter-individual variability. Six Fischer rats underwent left ventricular catheterization though the right carotid artery, repeated 7 days later via the left carotid artery. We acquired volume and pressure data from each animal during both procedures. Volumes and pressures were plotted to construct pressure-volume loops at the two time-points. The neurological outcome and the gross anatomy of the heart were also evaluated. We did not observe any major behavioral or neurological alteration in any of the animals. We observed a Horner syndrome with palpebral ptosis and enophtalmus in one animal. At the macroscopic evaluation of the explanted hearts, we observed perforation of the left ventricle in one case. This is a safe, easy, and reproducible procedure; it can be performed twice in the same animal with no neurological consequences. It is particularly suitable for longitudinal studies, to minimize the statistical error due to inter-individual variability. Keywords: Rat catheterization; Animal models; In-vivo measurement; Left ventricle catheterization
