Left ventricular volume and function in cynomolgus monkeys using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular imaging
• Primate research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Assessing cardiac function in non-human primates is crucial for preclinical drug evaluation.
• Real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3D) offers advanced visualization of cardiac structures.
• Isoflurane anesthesia is commonly used in non-human primate studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of using RT3D echocardiography for evaluating cardiac function in isoflurane-anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys.
• To compare the effects of beta-blockers and a calcium channel blocker on left ventricular (LV) function.

Main Methods:

• Male cynomolgus monkeys were anesthetized with isoflurane.
• Cardiac function was assessed using RT3D echocardiography.
• Measurements included end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF).
• Drugs administered included propranolol, metoprolol (beta-blockers), and verapamil (Ca channel blocker).

Main Results:

• RT3D echocardiography provided reproducible LV volume and EF measurements over a 30-day interval in control monkeys.
• Beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol) caused dose-dependent increases in ESV and decreased EF.
• Verapamil increased EDV and ESV, with decreased EF observed at a higher dose.

Conclusions:

• RT3D echocardiography is a feasible and reproducible technique for assessing LV function in monkeys.
• This method is suitable for evaluating the cardiac effects of drugs.
• The study differentiated the cardiac inhibitory effects of beta-blockers and a calcium channel blocker.