Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
08:21
Biventricular Assessment of Cardiac Function and Pressure-Volume Loops by Closed-Chest Catheterization in Mice
Published on: June 15, 2020
Cardiac catheterization technique in a closed-chest murine model.
Shintaro Nemoto1, Gilberto DeFreitas, Blase A Carabello
1Department of Medicine, Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science
|September 19, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a simple, less invasive cardiac catheterization technique for mice. This method provides more physiologic left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics, aiding genetic studies of cardiac phenotype.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Animal Models
- Physiology
Background:
- Murine models are crucial for studying genetic effects on cardiac phenotype.
- Standardized, efficient cardiac catheterization methods are needed for accurate murine cardiovascular assessment.
- Existing cardiac catheterization techniques in mice lack standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a simple, less invasive cardiac catheterization technique in a closed-chest mouse model.
- To enable reliable measurement of left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic parameters.
- To provide a standardized procedure for evaluating cardiac function in mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice were anesthetized using ketamine and xylazine.
- Microscopic isolation of right carotid arteries (common, internal, external).
- Insertion of a 1.4 Fr. conductance catheter into the left ventricle (LV) via retrograde approach.
Main Results:
- The developed technique allowed for the acquisition of physiologic LV hemodynamics.
- Results demonstrated improved hemodynamic data compared to open-chest models.
- The procedure is potentially combinable with echocardiography for comprehensive cardiac assessment.
Conclusions:
- This simple, less invasive cardiac catheterization technique is effective for closed-chest mice.
- The method yields more physiologic hemodynamic data than open-chest approaches.
- With a manageable learning curve, this technique can serve as a standard for murine cardiac catheterization.
