In vivo Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Transgenic and Gene-Targeted Mice

Manipulation of the mammalian genome with transgenic and gene-targeting techniques is a powerful method for unambiguously identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac development and function. Although the small size of the mouse heart and the rapid heart rates encountered have limited echocardiographic assessment of the murine heart in the past, the use of sophisticated transducers operating at a high frequency results in highly reliable and reproducible image quality. M-mode echocardiography has been shown to provide a good correlation with gravimetrically determined left ventricular mass (LV) and to estimate accurately LV dimensions and systolic function. Doppler interrogation of transvalvular flows permits assessment of global LV systolic and diastolic function independent of ventricular geometry. Linear stress-shortening relations can be determined in the adult mouse with the use of pharmacologically induced changes in systemic arterial pressure, and these relations are capable of detecting changes in myocardial contractility in vivo, relatively independent of loading conditions. The present review focuses on the current advantages and limitations of M-mode and Doppler echocardiography to evaluate cardiac function in mice. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1997;7:129-134). © 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.