This study by Grune et al. compares ventricular volumes by new 4D ultrasound imaging to 1D and 2D ultrasound as well as to volumes by cardiac MRI.
Article Summary:
- 1D and 2D echo are often used to calculate ventricular volumes in small animals – calculations are based on geometric assumptions
- MRI is preclinical gold standard for cardiac volumetry
- Aim to test accuracy of new 4D ultrasound (referred to as 3DE) at determining ventricular volumes in mouse compared to 1D and 2D echo
- Described detailed protocol for acquiring 3DE data in the mouse
- 3DE, 1D and 2D echo was performed in healthy mice and obese mice and in a pressure-induced heart failure model (TAC)
- Validation versus MRI was performed in the healthy and obese groups
- LV volumes by 3DE versus 1D or 2D echo showed higher correlation with volumes by MRI
- Difficulties in endocardial border tracing in 3DE analysis led to moderate reproducibility
- Only 3DE was sensitive enough to detect increased end diastolic volume in TAC animals
Conclusion:
New 3DE imaging provides a robust method for calculating ventricular volumes in murine models, which correlates better with MRI compared to frequently used 1D and 2D echo.
Reference:
1. Grune J, Blumrich A, Brix S, Jeuthe S, Drescher C, Grune T, et al. Evaluation of a commercial multi-dimensional echocardiography technique for ventricular volumetry in small animals. Cardiovasc Ultrasound [Internet]. 2018;16(1):10. Available from: https://cardiovascularultrasound.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12947-018-0128-9