title: A longitudinal study on BIO14.6 hamsters with dilated cardiomyopathy: micro-echocardiographic evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, several new technologies for small-animal imaging have been developed. In particular, the use of ultrasound in animal imaging has focused on the investigation of accessible biological structures such as the heart, of which it provides a morphological and functional assessment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of micro-ultrasonography (μ-US) in a longitudinal study on BIO14.6 cardiomyopathic hamsters treated with gene therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty hamsters were divided into three groups (n = 10): Group I, untreated BIO 14.6 hamsters; Group II, BIO 14.6 hamsters treated with gene therapy; Group III, untreated wild type (WT) hamsters. All hamsters underwent serial μ-US sessions and were sacrificed at predetermined time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  μ-US revealed: in Group I, progressive dilation of the left ventricle with a change in heart morphology from an elliptical to a more spherical shape, altered configuration of the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus, and severe reduction in ejection fraction; in Group II, mild decrease in contractile function and ejection fraction; in Group III, normal cardiac chamber morphology and function. There was a negative correlation between the percentage of fibrosis observed at histology and the ejection fraction obtained on μ-echocardiography (Spearman r: -0.839; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although histological examination remains indispensable for a conclusive diagnosis, high-frequency μ-echocardiography, thanks to the high spatial and contrast resolution, can be considered sufficient for monitoring therapeutic efficacy and/or the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing an alternative tool for repeatable and noninvasive evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, P zza Miraglia 2, 80138 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Belfiore
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berritto
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iacobellis
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Ida Luisa
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Rotundo
authors.forename: Santolo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006224:Cricetinae; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity