title: Rat model of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aim to develop a rat model of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).
  
  
  METHODS
  VA-ECMO was established in twelve Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) through cannulation of the right jugular vein for venous drainage and the right femoral artery for arterial reinfusion. Arterial blood pressure was measured using a conductance catheter through cannulation of the left carotid artery. Heart rate was monitored by electrocardiography and arterial blood gas parameters with a blood gas analyzer. The VA-ECMO circuit was tested by subjecting the rats to hypoxic cardiac arrest with resuscitation using VA-ECMO. Both load-dependent and load-independent measures of myocardial contractility were measured using pressure-volume loop analysis to confirm restoration of myocardial function post-resuscitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following hypoxic cardiac arrest VA-ECMO provided sufficient oxygenation to support the circulation. The haemodynamic and blood gas parameters were maintained at transition and during ECMO. All animals were resuscitated, regained cardiac function and were able to be weaned off ECMO post-resuscitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have established a safe, high-throughput, economical, functioning rat model of VA-ECMO.
authors: Ayyaz A
authors: AA
authors: Ali
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Downey
authors: Gopal
authors: G
authors: Singh
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Qi
authors: Isaac
authors: I
authors: George
authors: Hiroo
authors: H
authors: Takayama
authors: Ajay
authors: A
authors: Kirtane
authors: Prakash
authors: P
authors: Krishnan
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Zalewski
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Freed
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Large
authors: Euan A
authors: EA
authors: Ashley
authors: Martin B
authors: MB
authors: Leon
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Bacchetta
authors: Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, Division of Cardiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA. zaa2112@columbia.edu.
authors: Ziad A
authors: ZA
authors: Ali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012151:Resuscitation