An Impedance-Based Model for the Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Function in Rabbits

Improving the quality of physiologic data collected from research animals is most easily accomplished by collecting as much information as possible from a single subject, thereby reducing animal use and error associated with satellite groups. We investigated the feasibility of using a large-animal implantable telemetry device in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 6). The first task was to develop an implantation technique that yielded calibrated tidal volume (Vt) measurements that were within 10% of those obtained simultaneously from a pneumotachograph, a low-noise electrocardiogram, and stable blood pressure. The second task was to challenge implanted rabbits with the respiratory stimulant doxapram to assess linearity of the calibration across a range of Vt. Of the 3 electrode placements attempted, only one resulted in calibrations consistently below 10% error. Optimal electrode placement resulted in calibrated Vt measurements within 1.7% ± 0.3% of those obtained from a pneumotachograph during normal tidal breathing, 7.3% ± 0.7% of those after saline injection, and 6.0% ± 0.5% of those after doxapram injection. The Vt range was 9 to 15 mL for normal tidal breathing and saline injection and 25 to 30 mL after doxapram injection. Increases in mean arterial pressure of 25.0 ± 6.82 mm Hg and decreases in heart rate of 56.3 ± 6.82 bpm were associated with doxapram injection only. Our findings represent the first time that multiple cardiopulmonary endpoints have been assessed by telemetry in conscious, restrained rabbits. Whether animal position affects calibration accuracy warrants investigation.