Transthoracic Echocardiography of the Neonatal Laboratory Piglet

Abstract

Background: Newborn piglets are commonly used in biomedical research. However, cardiovascular imaging of this species is quite challenging. For point of care diagnostics of heart function transthoracic echocardiography may be used, which appears to differ comparing newborn piglets with adult pigs. To date, there are few data or studies on the feasibility and quality of measurement of functional echocardiographic parameters in very small neonatal piglets. Objectives: To study the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography in very small newborn piglets in supine position. Methods: In 44 anesthetized and intubated newborn piglets, positioned in supine position [age 32 h (12–44 h), weight 1,220 g (1,060–1,495 g), median (IQR)] transthoracic echocardiography was performed using a point of care ultrasound device (M-Turbo © , FujiFilm SonoSite BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands), and a standard ultrasound transducer. Results: Using 2D- and M-mode-imaging left- and right-sided heart structures were accessible to transthoracic echocardiography in neonatal piglets. Diameters of the interventricular septum, the left ventricle, and the posterior wall were measured and ejection fraction and shortening fraction was calculated. Both left and right ventricular outflow tract could be imaged, and ventricular filling and systolic function could be evaluated. Furthermore, we were able to assess shunts of fetal circulation, such as patent ductus arteriosus, structure of the heart valves and congenital heart defects including ventricular septal defect. Conclusions: In summary, transthoracic echocardiography is feasible for assessment of cardiovascular function even in very small newborn laboratory piglets in supine position.

A Pig as a Model to Test Cardiovascular Devices

“…It is believed that in order to visualize the ascending section and the aortic root in animals with a small body weight, it is possible to use a parasternal position along the long axis of the left ventricle [22,23]. However, in pigs weighing more than 60 kg, transthoracic echocardiography is vague due to poor visualization, even when using a specialized echocardiographic table for animals.…”

Pigs as Models to Test Cardiovascular Devices

“…To visualize the ascending aorta and the aortic root in animals with a smaller body weight, a parasternal position along the long axis of the left ventricle can be used [ 22 , 23 ]. However, due to the poor visualization provided by transthoracic echocardiography, it can be challenging to obtain accurate results when pigs weighing more than 60 kg are examined even when using a specialized echocardiography table for animals.…”

The Progress of Advanced Ultrasonography in Assessing Aortic Stiffness and the Application Discrepancy between Humans and Rodents

“…As a non-invasive method, ultrasonography has been used in clinical diagnosis for aortic stiffness in many aortic disorders such as atherosclerotic degeneration and aortic aneurysms through measuring the wall-thickness, diameter, structural defects, blood flow velocity, and other pathological changes in the aorta [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The developed techniques used in patients also provide powerful tools for basic science research in different animal models, particularly the large animal models such as monkeys, swine, canines, and horses [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The combination of ultrasonography with other invasive strategies in large animal models provides valuable direct evidence of the pathogenesis of the diseases that may not be able to obtain from human studies, which, in turn, led to the translational development of new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies for predicting and preventing cardiovascular disease complications in humans [ 20 ].…”