Serial high-frequency ultrasound assessment of progressive changes in left ventricular structure and function in rats with chronic pressure overload.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and accuracy of high-frequency ultrasound in evaluating the left ventricular (LV) structure and function in normal and pressure overload rats and to examine the changes of the left ventricle during its transition from hypertrophy to heart failure.


METHODS
Thirty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to normal (n = 10), operated (n = 16) and sham-operated (n = 12) groups. Parasternal long axis and short axis images were acquired by a 7.5 mHz linear ultrasound probe at 12 weeks and 20 weeks after the operation respectively.


RESULTS
Left ventricular structure and function could be satisfactorily imaged for dimensions and mass. Compared to the sham-operated groups, at 12 weeks after the operation, the operated rats had increased LV wall thickness and mass (P < 0.01) with normal cavity and FS% (P > 0.05). At 20 weeks after the operation, the LV wall thickness showed no further progressive change and the LV mass increased greatly with slightly dilated LV cavity and decreased FS% (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High-frequency echocardiography provides a useful means to noninvasively evaluate LV dimensions, mass and function in rats. It will have great value for evaluating LV remodeling during the transition from LV hypertrophy to heart failure, as well as the effects of intervening drugs.
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical Uinversity, Shenyang 110001, China.
Feng
F
Xu
Jingquan
J
Wang
Xiaojuan
X
Bai
Jun
J
Yang
Shuling
S
Bai
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D017725:Ventricular Pressure / Q000502:physiology