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Temporal changes in ventricular function assessed echocardiographically in conscious and anesthetized mice
Jeffrey N Rottman1, Gemin Ni, Michelle Khoo
1Department of Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, USA. jeff.rottman@vanderbilt.edu
Summary
Serial echocardiography in conscious mice offers reproducible cardiac assessments. Anesthesia significantly impacts measurements, highlighting the importance of using conscious models for accurate cardiovascular evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Animal Models
- Noninvasive Imaging
Background:
- Mice are crucial for cardiovascular research.
- Echocardiography is vital for assessing cardiac function noninvasively.
- The reliability of repeated echocardiography in conscious mice is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and short-term consistency of serial echocardiographic measurements in conscious mice.
- To compare these measurements with those obtained under three different anesthetic regimens.
- To determine the impact of anesthesia on cardiac function parameters.
Main Methods:
- Serial 2D-guided M-mode transthoracic echocardiography was performed.
- Measurements were taken at 5-10 minute intervals over 60 minutes.
- Conscious mice and mice under ketamine/acepromazine, pentobarbital, or ketamine/xylazine anesthesia were studied.
Main Results:
- Conscious mice showed high reproducibility with no significant changes in echocardiographic parameters over 60 minutes.
- All anesthetic regimens caused significant, prolonged, and variable decreases in heart rate and fractional shortening.
- The relationship between heart rate and fractional shortening remained consistent regardless of anesthetic choice.
Conclusions:
- Serial echocardiographic assessments of cardiac function, dimension, and mass are highly reproducible in conscious mice.
- Anesthesia significantly alters cardiac function parameters, compromising measurement accuracy.
- Conscious mouse models are recommended for reliable, reproducible echocardiographic studies in cardiovascular research.