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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats
Published on: December 13, 2019
Echocardiography Assessment of Cardiac Function and Pulmonary Hypertension in Lambs
Yasmine N White1, Matthew Douglass2, Reagan Cathcart2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah; yasmine.white@hsc.utah.edu.
Insights
This study defines the cardiac dysfunction progression in preterm lambs with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Echocardiography provides reproducible assessments of cardiac structure and function in this model.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Cardiology
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research
- Animal Models of Disease
Background:
- Premature birth is linked to cardiac dysfunction, potentially leading to heart failure.
- The natural history of cardiac issues in premature infants remains unclear.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia with pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH) in lambs mimics human prematurity complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a protocol for serial echocardiographic assessment of cardiac morphometry and function in preterm lambs.
- To characterize the cardiac natural history in a lamb model of BPD-PH.
- To enable evaluation of therapeutic strategies for BPD-PH.
Main Methods:
- Adapted American Society of Echocardiography guidelines for serial echocardiography.
- Utilized intubated, sedated lambs in a bedside ultrasound system.
- Measured atrial/ventricular dimensions and right/left ventricular function, including PH-related metrics.
Main Results:
- Developed a reproducible echocardiography protocol for preterm lambs.
- Measurements correlated with the clinical status of the lambs.
- The protocol allows for detailed cardiac assessment in the BPD-PH model.
Conclusions:
- This echocardiography protocol effectively assesses cardiac structure and function in preterm lambs.
- It provides a reliable method for characterizing BPD-PH and guiding therapeutic interventions.
- The study enhances understanding of cardiac dysfunction in prematurity.
Abstract:
Premature birth is strongly associated with cardiac dysfunction, including impaired ventricular function and altered cardiac structure, which can lead to progressive heart failure and other short- and long-term morbidities. However, the natural history of cardiac dysfunction in infants born prematurely is not well defined. In the lamb model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia with associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH), lambs are delivered at 110-128 days gestation (full term is approximately 145 days) and mechanically ventilated. The lambs develop cardiopulmonary complications of prematurity, including alveolar simplification on lung histology, the hallmark of BPD, and signs of increased pulmonary vascular resistance on echocardiography, consistent with evolving BPD-PH. This article describes a protocol for serial assessment of cardiac morphometry and function by echocardiography in preterm and former preterm lambs (up to approximately two months postnatal age). The protocol was developed by adapting guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography. Echocardiography is serially performed on intubated and moderately sedated lambs using a bedside ultrasound system. Atrial and ventricular dimensions, right and left ventricular function, and PH-related measurements are obtained at each echocardiographic assessment. Measurements are reproducible and correlate with clinical status. This echocardiography protocol for assessing cardiac structure and function in lambs enables characterization of BPD-PH and evaluation of therapeutic approaches.