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Cardiac Catheterization in Mice to Measure the Pressure Volume Relationship: Investigating the Bowditch Effect
Published on: June 14, 2015
Left ventricular pressure-volume relationship in conscious mice
Shuji Joho1, Shinji Ishizaka, Richard Sievers
1Cardiology Division, Dept. of Medicine, Univ. of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave., Box 0124, San Francisco, CA 94143-0124, USA.
American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|August 15, 2006
Summary
This study introduces a new method for measuring left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume relationships in conscious mice, enabling reproducible assessment of cardiac contractility without anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Animal Models
- Cardiac Function Assessment
Background:
- Transgenic mouse models are crucial for genetic-hemodynamic research.
- Existing methods for measuring cardiac function in mice often require anesthesia or invasive procedures.
- A reliable technique for assessing left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume relationships in conscious mice is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of a novel method for measuring LV pressure-volume relationships in conscious mice.
- To assess the reproducibility and sensitivity of this technique for evaluating cardiac contractility.
- To establish a method for serial assessment of cardiac function in awake, unrestrained mice.
Main Methods:
- A conductance catheter was inserted into the LV of 17 male mice (11-20 wk) via an implanted polyethylene tube.
- Load-independent contractility parameters (Ees, dP/dtmax-EDV, PRSW) were determined using inferior vena caval occlusion.
- Reproducibility was assessed by repeated measurements on different days.
- The effects of isoproterenol, atenolol, and isoflurane on contractility were examined.
Main Results:
- The LV pressure-volume relationship measurement in conscious mice proved feasible and reproducible.
- The method successfully detected significant changes in cardiac contractility induced by pharmacological agents (isoproterenol, atenolol) and anesthesia (isoflurane).
- Key contractility parameters, including Ees, dP/dtmax-EDV, and PRSW, showed significant alterations consistent with drug effects.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first description of LV pressure-volume relationships in conscious mice.
- The developed method is feasible for detecting changes in cardiac contractility in the conscious state.
- This technique allows for serial, non-invasive assessment of pressure-volume-derived cardiac function indexes over time, crucial for longitudinal studies in mouse models.
