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Updated: May 9, 2026
Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2015
Evaluation of bi-ventricular coronary flow patterns using high-frequency ultrasound in mice with transverse aortic
Jian Wu1, Yu-Qing Zhou, Yunzeng Zou
1Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Insights
This study used Doppler ultrasound to analyze coronary artery blood flow in mice with pressure overload. Transverse aortic constriction increased flow in the left and septal coronary arteries, impacting left ventricular function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Imaging
- Animal Models
Background:
- Pressure overload is a significant factor in cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding coronary artery flow dynamics is crucial for diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
- Doppler ultrasound offers a non-invasive method to assess blood flow patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a Doppler ultrasound protocol for evaluating flow in mouse coronary arteries (left, septal, right).
- To investigate the impact of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) on coronary artery flow patterns.
- To examine the relationship between coronary flow dynamics and ventricular remodeling under pressure overload.
Main Methods:
- High-frequency color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound were used to measure flow spectra in the left (LCA), septal (SCA), and right (RCA) coronary arteries.
- Fifty-two male C57BL/6J mice underwent TAC or sham surgery.
- Morphologic, functional, and histological parameters of the ventricles were assessed at 2 and 8 weeks post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Baseline differences in flow patterns were observed among LCA, SCA, and RCA in sham mice.
- TAC significantly increased systolic flow velocities in all coronary arteries, particularly the LCA and SCA.
- Left ventricular coronary flow reserve decreased over time post-TAC, correlating with reduced neo-angiogenesis and systolic function.
Conclusions:
- A reliable Doppler ultrasound method for mouse coronary artery flow analysis was established.
- Pressure overload differentially affects coronary flow dynamics between the left and right ventricles.
- Findings provide insights into ventricular remodeling and highlight the utility of Doppler ultrasound in preclinical cardiovascular research.
Abstract:
Using high-frequency color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound, we evaluated the flow patterns of the left (LCA), septal (SCA) and right (RCA) coronary arteries in mice with and without transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Fifty-two male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to TAC or a corresponding sham operation. At 2 and 8 wk post-surgery, Doppler flow spectra from the three coronary arteries, together with morphologic and functional parameters of the left and right ventricles, were measured. Histology was performed to evaluate myocyte size and neo-angiogenesis in both ventricles. In sham-operated mice, the LCA and SCA both exhibited low-flow waveforms during systole and dominantly higher-flow waveforms during diastole. The RCA exhibited generally lower flow velocity, with similar systolic and diastolic waveforms. TAC significantly increased the systolic flow velocities of all coronary arteries, but enhanced the flow mainly in the LCA and SCA. In the left ventricle, coronary flow reserve was partially preserved 2 wk post-TAC, but decreased at 8 wk, consistent with changes in neo-angiogenesis and systolic function. In contrast, no significant change was found in the coronary flow reserve, structure or function of the right ventricle. This study has established a protocol for evaluating the flow pattern in three principal coronary arteries in mice using Doppler ultrasound and illustrated the difference among three vessels at baseline. In mice with TAC, the difference in the associating pattern of coronary flow dynamics with the myocardial structure and function between the left and right ventricles provides further insights into ventricular remodeling under pressure overload.
