Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
Transthoracic Echocardiography in Mice
Published on: May 28, 2010
Feasibility of Baseline cardIac investiGation in awake elepHants (Elephas mAximus) using tRansThoracic
Antonin Boutibou1, Valérie Chetboul2,3, Mathieu Magnin4,5
1La Tanière - Zoo refuge, ferme du Grand, Nogent-le-Phaye, France.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular diseases are common in elephants, but most cases are diagnosed only postmortem. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is widely used in domestic and captive animals, although its application in elephants has not yet been established. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of performing TTE in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), to develop a standardized procedure to optimize image quality, and to assess measurement variability.
Materials And Methods:
Preliminary trials were conducted in ten elephants, including seven free-ranging animals in Cambodia and three captive elephants in France. These led to a standardized TTE protocol based on cooperative training and positive reinforcement. Key refinements included the exclusive use of a left parasternal approach, soaking the thoracic skin with lukewarm water before application of coupling gel, and extension of the left forelimb over a training ball to optimize access to the acoustic window. Each examination included two left ventricular (LV) views: a long-axis view for M-mode measurements and a short-axis view for two-dimensional (2D) analysis. A total of 72 examinations were performed on 4 days on three elephants, with offline assessment of eight 2D and M-mode variables, including two indices of LV function (fractional shortening and fractional area change). A general linear model was used to determine within-day and between-day coefficients of variation.
Results:
All examinations were successfully completed without anesthesia or restraint. Within-day and between-day variability were low for all parameters (coefficients of variation = 0-3.4%), while interanimal variability was higher (5%-19.6%).
Discussion:
LV dimensions and systolic function can be assessed in awake Asian elephants with excellent repeatability and reproducibility.
Conclusions:
The present validated TTE procedure enables longitudinal cardiac monitoring in captive Asian elephants without anesthesia, providing a unique opportunity for the antemortem diagnosis of left-sided heart disease and facilitating future comparative and conservation studies in this endangered species.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Physiology of the Heart: The Cardiac Cycle
Diastole: The Relaxation Phase
During diastole, all four heart chambers relax. The atrioventricular (AV) valves open, and the semilunar valves close. This phase sees the lowest chamber pressures, promoting ventricular filling. Venous blood enters the heart through the...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...
01:27Anatomy of the Heart
01:24Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization