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Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of biventricular function in the rabbit, animal model in cardiovascular research: feasibility and normal values

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Abstract

Quantification of cardiac structure and function is central in cardiovascular research. Rabbits are valuable research models of cardiovascular human disease; however, there is little normal data available. The aim of this study was to investigate feasibility and provide normal values for comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of biventricular function in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits underwent trans-thoracic echocardiography using a general electric (GE) Vivid 7/E9 system with a 10 MHz transducer, under light sedation, to evaluate biventricular function and dimensions. Images for two-dimensional, M-mode, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle-tracking strain echocardiography were acquired and analysed. 55 male rabbits (sized matched with a newborn human baby) were studied, mean weight was 2.9 ± 0.23 kg. Adequate images were obtained in 90% for the left ventricle (LV) and 80% for the right ventricle (RV). Two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain was feasible in 60%. Average heart rate was 248 ± 36 beats per minute; LV ejection faction 72 ± 8.0; RV fractional area change 45.9 ± 9.0%; RV myocardial performance index 0.39 ± 0.35; tricuspid annular planar systolic excursion 0.60 ± 0.24 cm. LV TDI parameters were S’ 8.6 ± 3.1 cm/s; E’ 12.0 ± 4.46 cm/s. RV TDI parameters were S’ 10.49 ± 3.18; E’ 14.95 ± 4.64 cm/s. LV and RV global peak systolic longitudinal strain were −17 ± 5 and −22 ± 8%, respectively. Comprehensive investigation of biventricular dimensions and function by echocardiography is feasible in the rabbit. Apical views and strain imaging have lower feasibility. Normal values of LV and RV functional parameters are with comparable values to human children. Animal cardiovascular research is key to develop new goals in clinical practice.

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Abbreviations

RV:

Right ventricle

LV:

Left ventricle

NZW:

New Zealand White

CV:

Cardiovascular

BSA:

Body surface area

TDI:

Tissue Doppler

TAPSE:

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion

FAC:

Fractional area change

MPI:

Myocardial performance index

EF:

Ejection fraction

ICC:

Intra-class correlation

AVM:

Average variation of the mean

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially funded by a grant award from the Labatt Family Heart Centre, Toronto, Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Labatt Family Heart Center, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Sara Roldan Ramos, Guido Pieles, Wei Hui, Ryo Ishii, Cameron Slorach & Mark K. Friedberg

  2. Department of Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Paediatric Cardiology, Bristol Heart Institute and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK

    Sara Roldan Ramos & Guido Pieles

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  1. Sara Roldan Ramos
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Correspondence to Sara Roldan Ramos or Mark K. Friedberg.

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Animal research

This study was approved prior to experiments by the Animal Ethics Committee at the Sickkids Research Institute and performed according to the Canadian Council for Animal Care guidelines. The authors confirm that these guidelines have been followed.

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Ramos, S.R., Pieles, G., Hui, W. et al. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of biventricular function in the rabbit, animal model in cardiovascular research: feasibility and normal values. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 34, 367–375 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-017-1238-4

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