Cardiac tissue Doppler and tissue velocity imaging in anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits

New Zealand white rabbits are commonly used in cardiovascular research. Complete echocardiographic examination of the heart includes the evaluation of tissue Doppler (TDI) parameters, yet normal data are unavailable for rabbits. In addition, tissue velocity imaging (TV) is a potentially useful measure of myocardial function that has not yet been applied to rabbits. Anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits (n = 31) underwent echocardiography to establish the feasibility of performing TDI and TV and establishing corresponding reference values. Standard 2D, M-mode, and Doppler measurements were obtained in all rabbits and showed values comparable to previously published data. Interpretable TDI images were obtained in all 31 rabbits and TV in 24 of 31 rabbits. The values obtained were similar to those seen in healthy cats and are comparable to the values found in adult humans. TDI and TV can easily be added to standard echocardiographic evaluation in rabbits. The values from the current study, obtained in normal rabbits, can be used as reference values to improve characterization of cardiac disease in this species.