Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Animal Models
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• The Fontan procedure improves survival for single-ventricle patients but leads to long-term disease due to elevated venous pressures and low cardiac output.
• Chronic Fontan animal models are essential for studying late physiological outcomes and evaluating new devices for Fontan failure.
• Previous chronic Fontan models suffered from low survival rates and challenges in hemodynamic data collection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a surgical protocol for implanting wireless telemetry devices in a Fontan survival ovine model.
• To enable real-time, long-term monitoring of cardiovascular parameters in a chronic Fontan sheep model.
• To improve survival rates and animal welfare in the creation of chronic Fontan models.

Main Methods:

• Surgical implantation of wireless telemetry devices in a single-stage Fontan operation in sheep.
• Cannulation of carotid artery/internal jugular vein or femoral artery/vein for catheter placement.
• Monitoring of heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and pressures in the inferior (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC).

Main Results:

• The described protocol facilitated the creation of a chronic Fontan ovine model.
• Wireless telemetry allowed for continuous, real-time monitoring of key hemodynamic parameters.
• Close postoperative monitoring via telemetry contributed to improved animal welfare and survival rates.

Conclusions:

• This protocol provides a reliable method for surgical implantation of wireless telemetry in Fontan sheep models.
• The use of telemetry enhances the study of long-term cardiovascular consequences of the Fontan circulation.
• This approach supports the development of improved treatments and devices for Fontan-associated liver disease and heart failure.