Using echocardiograms for research in small animals, like mice, can be challenging. The procedure causes stress to the mouse, which can affect cardiovascular measurements. Also, the mouse has a tiny heart and a rapid heartbeat between 500 and 700 beats per minute. In addition, the mouse heart's orientation makes certain parts difficult to see.
Echocardiograms are ultrasounds images of the heart. One-dimensional, or M-mode, and two-dimensional, or 2D, images provide a good measurement of the heart's chambers. The images can detect movement, thickness, and size. The 2D image is actually a slice, or a cross-section, of the heart as it is beating.
Doppler adds another dimension to the images. It helps to pinpoint the velocity and the direction of blood flow. It can identify, for instance, places where blood leaks in the heart valves. It can also identify narrowing, or stenosis, in the valves.
Echocardiograms are done in vivo, which means on living animals. The test are most reliable when the mouse is not anesthetized. This is because anesthesia can slow the heart to about half its normal beats per minute. To prevent stress in mice, technicians perform the test for several days before their actual test. On the day of the echocardiogram, they complete several protocols. They remove the mouse's chest hair with a depilatory agent. They also place limb leads on the mouse's wrists and ankles.
Molecular imaging in mice are primarily of the left ventricle. Apical views are hard to obtain, which makes it difficult to see diastolic function in the right ventricle. The photoacoustic test can show the composition of the mouse's left ventricle. It can also detect cardiac lesions, atherosclerosis, and other cardiac diseases.
Many experiments done on mice have helped researchers understand human heart disease. For example, one study performed fetal echocardiograms on developing mice. This helped researchers to trace the formation of congenital heart disease. Another experiment involved introducing a beta-2 receptor into a mouse heart. The receptor was associated with an enzyme found in failing heart tissue. The mice were then examined with an echocardiograph. Scientists discovered that large quantities of the receptor helped to prevent heart disease in the mice.
Mice are not the only small animals used in ultrasound tests. Scientists have begun to use hamsters more often in experiments because their heart conditions more closely duplicate those of humans. The test is also used in veterinarians' offices. For instance, an image can help veterinarians manage canine and feline heart diseases.
Echocardiographs should be carefully set to study small hearts. They should have less than 0.5 millimeters of spatial resolution. They should have a frame rate of 150 hertz and a sweep rate of 200-300 hertz.
Small animal research has provided much information about human disease. Echocardiograms for research in small animals, in particular, have allowed researchers to extrapolate information about heart disease. That information has then been applied to the human heart. Continuation of the research is a critical element in the fight to defeat cardiovascular disease.
Echocardiograms are ultrasounds images of the heart. One-dimensional, or M-mode, and two-dimensional, or 2D, images provide a good measurement of the heart's chambers. The images can detect movement, thickness, and size. The 2D image is actually a slice, or a cross-section, of the heart as it is beating.
Doppler adds another dimension to the images. It helps to pinpoint the velocity and the direction of blood flow. It can identify, for instance, places where blood leaks in the heart valves. It can also identify narrowing, or stenosis, in the valves.
Echocardiograms are done in vivo, which means on living animals. The test are most reliable when the mouse is not anesthetized. This is because anesthesia can slow the heart to about half its normal beats per minute. To prevent stress in mice, technicians perform the test for several days before their actual test. On the day of the echocardiogram, they complete several protocols. They remove the mouse's chest hair with a depilatory agent. They also place limb leads on the mouse's wrists and ankles.
Molecular imaging in mice are primarily of the left ventricle. Apical views are hard to obtain, which makes it difficult to see diastolic function in the right ventricle. The photoacoustic test can show the composition of the mouse's left ventricle. It can also detect cardiac lesions, atherosclerosis, and other cardiac diseases.
Many experiments done on mice have helped researchers understand human heart disease. For example, one study performed fetal echocardiograms on developing mice. This helped researchers to trace the formation of congenital heart disease. Another experiment involved introducing a beta-2 receptor into a mouse heart. The receptor was associated with an enzyme found in failing heart tissue. The mice were then examined with an echocardiograph. Scientists discovered that large quantities of the receptor helped to prevent heart disease in the mice.
Mice are not the only small animals used in ultrasound tests. Scientists have begun to use hamsters more often in experiments because their heart conditions more closely duplicate those of humans. The test is also used in veterinarians' offices. For instance, an image can help veterinarians manage canine and feline heart diseases.
Echocardiographs should be carefully set to study small hearts. They should have less than 0.5 millimeters of spatial resolution. They should have a frame rate of 150 hertz and a sweep rate of 200-300 hertz.
Small animal research has provided much information about human disease. Echocardiograms for research in small animals, in particular, have allowed researchers to extrapolate information about heart disease. That information has then been applied to the human heart. Continuation of the research is a critical element in the fight to defeat cardiovascular disease.
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