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A pilot study on midazolam sedation for murine echocardiography: A potential alternative to isoflurane anesthesia and
Bart Jacobs1, Sarah Derde1, Lies Langouche1
1Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
Isoflurane anesthesia is often used to facilitate murine echocardiography, but can suppress cardiac function. Awake imaging avoids pharmacological interference, but can induce sympathetic activation. In this Midazolam sedation. Parameters were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA. Midazolam enabled imaging without overt stress behavior. Compared to midazolam, heart rate was similar under isoflurane and higher while awake (p ≤ 0.01). End-systolic volume was larger under isoflurane and smaller while awake; stroke volumes remained similar across conditions. Global longitudinal and circumferential strain were less negative under isoflurane (p = 0.03) but similar during awake imaging, while radial strain was higher during awake imaging. Peak longitudinal strain rate was less negative under isoflurane (p ≤ 0.01) and more negative while awake (p = 0.05). Early diastolic strain rate was similar under isoflurane and lower while awake (p = 0.02). In conclusion, cardiac function was most depressed under isoflurane and most enhanced during awake imaging, likely stress-driven. Murine echocardiography under midazolam sedation was feasible, yielding better function than isoflurane anesthesia, closer to awake imaging but without overt handling stress. These findings require further validation across disease models, sexes, and strains.
Insights
Midazolam sedation offers a feasible alternative for murine echocardiography, providing cardiac function closer to awake imaging without stress. This method yields better results than isoflurane anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Anesthesiology
- Small Animal Imaging
Background:
- Isoflurane anesthesia can suppress cardiac function during murine echocardiography.
- Awake imaging avoids drug interference but may cause sympathetic stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate midazolam sedation as an alternative for murine echocardiography.
- To compare cardiac function under isoflurane anesthesia, midazolam sedation, and awake conditions.
Main Methods:
- Murine echocardiography was performed under three conditions: isoflurane anesthesia, midazolam sedation, and awake.
- Cardiac parameters including heart rate, volumes, and strain measures were analyzed.
- Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for statistical comparison.
Main Results:
- Midazolam sedation allowed imaging without overt stress behaviors.
- Cardiac function was most depressed under isoflurane anesthesia.
- Awake imaging showed enhanced cardiac function, likely due to stress, while midazolam provided intermediate results.
Conclusions:
- Midazolam sedation is a viable option for murine echocardiography, offering improved cardiac function compared to isoflurane.
- This method provides a balance between avoiding anesthetic interference and minimizing handling stress.
- Further validation in diverse models is recommended.
