Measurement of right ventricular pressure by telemetry in conscious moving rabbits

Implantable radiotelemetry methodology has been used to continuously monitor pulmonary hemodynamics including right ventricular pressure (RVP) or pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in conscious, untethered and freely moving animals such as mice and rats. The use of implantable radiotelemetry to monitor RVP or PAP has never previously been described in rabbits. The aim of the present study was to use implantable radiotelemetry to continuously monitor RVP in conscious adult rabbits. Telemetry transmitters were implanted in 44 adult male New Zealand rabbits using a trans-diaphragm approach for the catheter placement. RVP, heart rate (HR) and activity were monitored every 15 min for 20 s. Body mass was recorded once a week. A total of 39 (88%) rabbits were successfully implanted. Thirty rabbits survived the surgical procedure resulting in an overall survival rate of 73%. RVP, HR and activity were long-term monitored in 17 rabbits for an average period of 103 ± 15 days. Weekly body mass follow-up showed that implantable radiotelemetry did not impair the normal development of the animal. Twenty-four-hour period monitoring of RVP, HR and activity showed concomitant changes in RVP, HR and activity according to the dark/light cycle applied to the rabbits. To conclude, implantable radiotelemetry methodology can be safely used to continuously monitor RVP in conscious rabbits.