Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat
Published on: May 19, 2020
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Puncture to Establish a Rat Model of Mitral Regurgitation: A Non-Thoracotomy Approach
Kangla Liao1,2, Qian Dong1,2, Chunhua Mo1,2
1Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a significant risk factor for heart failure, yet existing rodent models face limitations in invasiveness and reproducibility. This study established a novel percutaneous, ultrasound-guided rat model of MR to overcome these constraints. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent echocardiography-guided mitral valve injury, allocated to severe MR (40-70% regurgitation), massive MR (> 70%), or sham groups. Serial echocardiographic assessments were performed at baseline, 30 min, and 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-procedure, with histological validation of myocardial fibrosis. The technique achieved 100% success with no acute mortality and enabled precise titration of regurgitation severity. Both MR groups exhibited progressive, body size-independent cardiac remodeling. Speckle-tracking revealed basal-segment-predominant longitudinal strain reduction, correlating with histologically confirmed peri-annular fibrosis. Survival was significantly lower in massive MR (40% vs. 90%, p = 0.006). This minimally invasive model reliably replicates human MR pathophysiology with high reproducibility and precise severity control, providing a robust platform for mechanistic investigation.
Insights
Researchers developed a new minimally invasive rat model for mitral regurgitation (MR), a heart failure risk factor. This reproducible model accurately mimics human MR, aiding further research into the condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Animal Models
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a major risk factor for heart failure.
- Existing rodent models for MR are invasive and lack reproducibility.
- There is a need for reliable preclinical models to study MR pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel, minimally invasive, percutaneous, ultrasound-guided rat model of MR.
- To enable precise control over MR severity and assess its reproducibility.
- To provide a robust platform for investigating MR-induced cardiac remodeling and fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent echocardiography-guided mitral valve injury.
- Rats were allocated to severe MR (40-70%), massive MR (>70%), or sham groups.
- Serial echocardiography and histological analysis were performed over 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- The model demonstrated 100% success with no acute mortality and precise regurgitation severity control.
- MR groups showed progressive, body size-independent cardiac remodeling.
- Reduced longitudinal strain and peri-annular fibrosis were observed, correlating with MR severity.
Conclusions:
- This novel rat model reliably replicates human MR pathophysiology with high reproducibility.
- The minimally invasive technique allows precise severity control, facilitating mechanistic studies.
- The model serves as a valuable tool for developing and testing MR therapies.
